subs. (theatrical).—The footlights: before the invention of gas they were oil-pans with floating wicks. Cf., ARK-FLOATER.
1886. The Saturday Review, 24 July, p. 108. To an actor the FLOAT is not what it is to a fisherman.
1889. Answers, 8 June, p. 24. He slapped me on the back, put me in a hansom, and cried, ‘We’ll have you behind the FLOAT (footlights) in a week.’
IF THAT’S THE WAY THE STICK FLOATS. See STICK.
