I expect lots of silly answers as well as an explanation, please...
This is a question in the English site just so agroevilc doesn't think I've emigrated over the Channel...
2006-12-20 22:12:03 · 5 answers · asked by Nini 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
By 'silly', I meant within the boundaries of decency, thank you...
2006-12-21 01:34:15 · update #1
I don't know where it comes from but I really should do by now.
I normally do it every time I take my family out !!
And it's never JD Wetherspoon two for £5..99.
Still I Never mind in a French Restaurant !
2006-12-21 08:36:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It simply to sign your name at the foot or bottom of the bill. Obviously the one who 'foots the bill' assumes the responsibility for paying it." From the "Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins" by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).
2006-12-20 23:07:26 · answer #2 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A long time ago two "gentlemen" were eating at a fancy restaurant. They had ordered every manner of delicacy on the menu and had drank prodigious amounts of expensive wine. When the bill arrived, they were both aghast at the total they had rung up. One of the "gentlemen", being of a rather unscrupulous sort, got up and left the restaurant-on foot. He had footed the bill to his acquaintance who was now stuck FOOTING the bill.
2006-12-20 22:24:54 · answer #3 · answered by Doug 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Footing" in accounting means signing off on the bottom figure - like an audit mark - so I suppose it came from there - if you sign for it (or take on paying it) you are "footing" the bill.
2006-12-20 22:14:45 · answer #4 · answered by Ruthie Baby 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
after knocking off with a chav like you Nini, everybody has to "foot the bill!" ;-)
2006-12-21 00:52:50 · answer #5 · answered by Fanny Adamski 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋