Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. used to express contempt.

1850

Manchester Spy (NH) 2 Nov. n.p.: ‘Footer, Major, I kalkilate I can navigate the entrails of a watch, as well as I can shoe a hoss’’.

2. a general term of contempt, a ‘scurvy fellow’, a ‘low fellow’.

1911

St. J. Ervine Mixed Marriage Act II: Aw, g’long wi’ ye, ye ould footer.