Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†FEET, n. Also feit (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry, Gl.). A variant form of Theat, q.v.
Phr. and comb.: 1. feet-sides, rope-traces, “used instead of chains, which are fixed to the hames before, and to the swingle-trees behind, in ploughing” (Bwk. 1825 Jam.); 2. fit-out-o'-the-feets, applied to one “who betrays a genuine spirit of contradiction . . . in allusion to a horse or ox, who throws his leg over the traces in drawing” (Teviotdale 1825 Jam.).
[For s.Sc. th > f, see F and cf. Fearn, Fain, adj.2]
