flat-footed

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

Firm-footed, resolute; firmly, resolutely. A term belonging to the Western political slang with which the halls of Congress, as well as the newspapers, are now deluged.


Col. M--- attempted to define his position, but being unable, exclaimed: I'm an independent, flat-footed man, and am neither for nor against the mill-dam.--Tennessee Newspaper.

Mr. Pickens, of South Carolina, has come out flat-footed for the administration--a real red-hot democrat, dyed in the wool--denounces Mr. Calhoun--and is ready now to take any high office. But the mission to England is beyond his reach.--N. Y. Herald, June 30, 1846.

A Washington correspondent of the New York Commercial Advertiser, in speaking of the opinions to be advanced by President Polk in his Message, says:

The ground taken is to be flat-footed for the Sub-Treasury--flat-footed for the repeal of the Tariff of 1842, and the substitution of a 20 per cent. maximum, &c.

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

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