v. slang. [Of obscure origin: Cf. FOOTER sb.2] intr. To talk or act foolishly, to trifle or ‘potter.’ Hence Footling ppl. a. Also Footle sb., twaddle, ‘rot.’ Footle a., paltry, trifling.
1892. F. Anstey, Voces Populi, Ser. II. 111. Mr. Wh. (severely). Now, really, Settee, do try not to footle like this!
1894. Du Maurier, Trilby, I. 163. What is your Little Billee, with his stinking oil-bladders, sitting mum in his corner, his mahlstick and his palette in one hand, and his twiddling little footle pig’s-hair brush in the other!
1895. F. Anstey, Lyre & Lancet, x. 106. I’m no good at poetry—can’t make head or tail of it, some’ow. It does seem to me such—well, such footle.
