first-foot
Definition
- Noun:
- The first person to enter a household in the new year: In Scottish tradition, "first-foot" refers to the first person to cross the threshold of a home after the start of the new year, believed to bring good or bad luck for the coming year.
- The act of being the first visitor: It can also denote the custom or event of being the first to enter a house in the new year.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The tall, dark-haired man was chosen as the first-foot for the New Year's celebration. (The person selected to be the first visitor after midnight.)
- According to tradition, a first-foot should bring gifts like coal, salt, or whisky. (The first visitor should carry symbolic items for good luck.)
Advanced Usage
"to be a first-foot": to act as the first visitor of the new year.
- He was proud to be the first-foot for his neighbour's house. (He performed the traditional role.)
"first-footing": the practice or custom of visiting homes as the first person after the new year begins.
- First-footing is a common Hogmanay tradition in Scotland. (The custom of making visits after midnight on New Year's Eve.)
Variants and Related Words
- First-footer (n): a person who performs the act of first-footing.
- The first-footer brought a lump of coal for warmth and prosperity. (The person who entered the house first.)
Synonyms
- New Year visitor: a guest who arrives at the start of the new year.
- Hogmanay caller: a person who visits homes during the Scottish New Year celebration.
Related Idioms
Bring in the new year: to celebrate the arrival of the new year, often with customs like first-footing.
- They brought in the new year with a first-foot and fireworks. (They welcomed the new year with traditional visits.)
Cross the threshold first: to be the initial person to enter a home in the new year.
- The first person to cross the threshold first is the first-foot. (The initial visitor after midnight.)