The term putting your best foot forward is a 16th century term that came from the practice of men, when introduced to a lady, doffing their hat and putting their foot forward in a kind of bow. Men in those days wore tights and it was said that the manly-man (tights and manly-man may be an oxymoron) had well defined calf muscles and this was his way of showing off to the ladies. A manly-man spent his days in manly pursuits – hunting, horseback riding, chopping wood and the sort of things to build impressive muscles.