Etymologically
Log in

foolscap

Etymology and origin of the English word foolscap

History Permalink

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈfuːl.skæp/, /ˈfuːlz.kæp/[1]

Etymology

It is the phrase fool's cap, from fool and cap,[2][3] the paper being named from its watermark of a fool's cap with bells.[4][2][5][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

A cap or hood, usually with bells, worn by jesters (1602 per Merriam-Webster; 1630s per Etymonline).[5][2]

Semantic evolution

From about 1700 the word named a type of writing paper originally watermarked with a jester's cap.[2][3] In Britain it became a standard paper size,[5][3] and in American use it names inexpensive, lined, legal-size writing paper.[3]

Timeline

  • 1602 – a jester's cap.[5]
  • c1700 – a kind of writing paper.[2][3]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A size of writing or printing paper, about 13 by 16 or 17 inches, formerly standard in Britain.
  2. Inexpensive writing paper, especially legal-size lined sheets.
  3. A fool's cap, worn by jesters or as a dunce's cap.

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
  4. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  5. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
Cite this entry

“Foolscap.” Etymologically, 15 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/foolscap. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·