Today I learned Flat Foot Floogie (aka Flat Fleet Floogie) is actually about a syphilitic prostitute.- The floogie part originally was "floozie" or maybe "floosie," American slang for a prostitute. It was changed to floogie to make it fit for the delicate sensibilities of radio audiences.
And "floy, floy" was slang for a sexually transmitted disease, probably syphilis. One effect of end-stage syphilis, which may not show up for many years after the infection, is called proprioception. It causes the sufferer to walk with a high-stepping gait, sort of slapping their feet flat on the floor.
Hence "flat foot floogie."
I'm listening to Fats Waller's version of the 1938 Slim & Slam dance hit now, it's a joyous song and I'll never hear it the same way again.
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