2. (streets).—Drunk. For synonyms, see Drinks and Screwed.
Hoof, subs. (common).—A foot. For synonyms, see Creepers.
1836. M. Scott, Cruise of the Midge, p. 134. Contriving in their complex twirlifications not only to tread heavily on my toes with his own hoofs, but to hop his partner repeatedly over the same unfortunate members.
1838. Grant, Sketches in London, p. 213. He again put both his ugly hoofs on it.
1867. Browne (‘Artemus Ward’), Among the Mormons [People’s ed.], p. 193. Waving their lily-white hoofs in the dazzling waltz.
1892. Sydney Watson, Wops the Waif, ch. iv., p. 5. Teddy, look out, yer’ve got yer hoof on my trotters!
Verb (common).—To kick; e.g., to hoof (or toe) one’s bum; to root (q.v. for synonyms). Hence to hoof out = to eject; to dismiss; to discharge; to decline to see.
To hoof it, (or to pad or beat the hoof), verb. phr. (common).—To walk; to ‘tramp it’; to run away. For synonyms, see Amputate and Skedaddle. Hence Hoof-padding.
1596. Shakspeare, Merry Wives, i., 3. Rogues, hence, avaunt, vanish like hailstones, go: Trudge, plod, away o’ the hoof.
d. 1687. Cotton, Poems, ‘Epistles’ (Chalmers English Poets), vi., 736. Being then on foot away I go And bang the hoof incognito.