This term, "first footer", given to a person who practises the act of "first footing", most likely makes little sense to non-native speakers of the English language. In fact, not every English speaker knows what this refers to or has even heard of the practice!

This is because "first footing" is a term that arose in Scotland in the UK in connection with New Year practices. In Scotland, the celebration of the new year is a pretty big thing with "Ne'erday" being used to refer to both New Year's Day and to the tipple of alcohol traditionally consumed at the time. It may be of interest to note that New Year's Eve is known as Hogmanay in Scotland when there are numerous celebrations of the event.

So, back to "first footing". This is the practice of the Scottish tradition of calling on friends or family following the new year to wish them well. The "first footer", however, must traditionally be a dark-haired male since a member of the opposite sex or a blonde man would be considered bad luck.  The overriding sentiment of goodwill behind the visit is apparent in the bringing of certain items representing warmth (a piece of coal), food (traditionally a form of fruit cake), wealth (in the form of salt) and cheer (in the form of a half bottle of whisky).  Shortbread is now commonly taken as the food item and just about any alcoholic beverage would suffice nowadays. Modern times in Scotland have more or less dispensed with the need for coal or salt to be offered.

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