adj. and adv. (common).—1. Feeble; dizzy; idiotic; e.g., DOTTY IN THE CRUMPET = weak in the head; DOTTY IN THE PINS = unsteady on the legs. [TOTTY is given in Cole’s English Dictionary (1724) = dizzy, but cf., DOTISH and DOTAGE.] For synonyms, see APARTMENTS, BALMY, and Cf., CABBAGE-HEAD.
1870. The Sportsman, 9 April. Although he begins to go a little stiff in his limbs and DOTTY on his feet he enjoys good health.
1884. Daily Telegraph, 9 April, p. 2, col. 6. His bad leg grows worse … and, as usual, he [a race-horse] pulled up in a DOTTY condition.
1889. Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday, 3 Aug., p. 242, col. 3.
| As poor Doody on his knees had dropt | |
| In front of lovely Tottie, | |
| And the fatal question just had pop’t. | |
| He really look’d quite DOTTY. |
Subs. (common).—The fancy man of prostitutes of the lowest type.
