tootsies
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Feet, those of ladies and children in particular. In married life it is said the husband uses this expression for the first six months; after that he terms them "hoofs."
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “tootsies” mean?
Feet, those of ladies and children in particular. In married life it is said the husband uses this expression for the first six months; after that he terms them "hoofs."
Is “tootsies” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.