[A factitious designation, apparently assumed in 1785: see first quots. Whether the inventor put together Gr. χείρ, χειρο- hand, and ποῦς, ποδ- foot, to indicate that hands and feet were the objects of his attention, or whether he had in view the ready-made Gr. χειροπόδ-ης (or χειρόπους, χειρόποδ-) ‘having chapped feet,’ does not appear. The latter would better justify his formation, the former better suit his meaning.
Gr. χειρόποδ- is founded on χειρ-άς a chap, properly of the hands (χείρ) but also of the feet (χειράδες ποδῶν).]
‘One who treats diseases of the hands and feet; now usually restricted to one who treats corns and bunions’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1785. D. Low (title), Chiropodologia, a Scientific Enquiry into the Causes of Corns, Warts, Onions [etc.] … with a detail of the most successful Methods of … removing all deformities of the Nails; and of preserving or restoring to the Feet and Hands their natural soundness and Beauty. Ibid., 83. A skilful Chiropodist.
1785. Europ. Mag., VII. 429. Classic lore … has now reached Davies Street … the residence of our Lucretian Chiropodist (anglicè corn-cutter). But whilst we point out the absurdity and needless affectation of learning, the coining of new-fangled derivatives on every occasion, we should be sorry [etc.].
1788. V. Knox, Winter Even., I. ii. 24. It would not be surprising to see a barber style himself … Chiropodist.
1818. Art Preserv. Feet, 45. Self dubbed chiropodists or corn-doctors.
1850. Thackeray, Pendennis, xxxi. He announced himself as Professor Spineto, chiropodist to the Emperor of All the Russias.
1861. Whyte-Melville, Good for Nothing, I. 168. Even the cunning chiropodist who did so much for Louis Napoleon.
So Chiropodical a., pertaining to chiropody; Chiropodism, Chiropodistry = Chiropody; Chiropodology, ‘a treatise on corns, warts, bunions, and their causes’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.); Chiropody, the art of treating corns, warts, defective nails, etc., on feet or hands, esp. corn-cutting.
1871. G. Macdonald, Wilf. Cumb., I. xvii. 170. Taking off my shoe, I found that a small chiropodical operation was necessary.
1887. Frith, Autobiog., II. 230. The study and practice of chiropodism.
1886. J. T. Collier, in Belgravia, LX. 164. When she had finished her chiropodistry.
1886. Pall Mall Gaz., 19 June, 2/1. The conversation by some unlucky twist happened to turn upon chiropody.
