foolscap English · revision 2205

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfuːl.skæp/, /ˈfuːlz.kæp/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the phrase ''fool's cap'', from [[fool]] and [[cap]],^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) the paper being named from its watermark of a fool's cap with bells.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A cap or hood, usually with bells, worn by jesters (1602 per Merriam-Webster; 1630s per Etymonline).^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From about 1700 the word named a type of writing paper originally watermarked with a jester's cap.^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) In Britain it became a standard paper size,^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) and in American use it names inexpensive, lined, legal-size writing paper.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1602 – a jester's cap.^(MW Collegiate)

+ * c1700 – a kind of writing paper.^(Etymonline)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A size of writing or printing paper, about 13 by 16 or 17 inches, formerly standard in Britain.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Inexpensive writing paper, especially legal-size lined sheets.^(RHWU)

+ # A fool's cap, worn by jesters or as a dunce's cap.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fool]]

+ * [[cap]]

+ * [[dunce]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}