footsie-footsie, noun

Origin:
English, AfrikaansShow more Adaptation of general English footy, footy-footy, probably influenced by Afrikaans voetjie-voetjie (see voetjie-voetjie); footsie does however occur in general English as a variant of footy.
colloquial
voetjie-voetjie. Also attributive, figurative, and in shortened form footsie.
1953 A. Mogale in Drum Sept. 25Maybe they’re playing footsie in her boudoir.
1978 Sunday Times 10 Sept. 14Surely we are in enough trouble in America — and don’t need to be caught playing footsie with Mr Watergate.
1987 L. Stafford in Style Aug. 92The best little Whorehouse in Jo’burg...The price of a sojourn upstairs? A flat R130, whether you play footsie-footsie or swing from the chandeliers.
1989 Viewpoint Sept. 6The director of information for the NP in Natal..said that the DP was playing ‘footsie-footsie’ with the ANC.
1990 H. Strauss in City Press 25 Feb. 11Let us not fall into the trap of ‘footsie-footsie’ politics because that will also put us back on the road to chaos.
1991 L.A. Aupiais in Style Nov. 133We live in turbulent times what with Hussein going off half-cocked and Russia playing footsie-footsie left, right and centre.
voetjie-voetjie. Also attributive, figurative, and in shortened form footsie.
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19531991