foolscap
See also: fool's cap
English
editEtymology
editProbably from a watermark of a fool's cap.
Pronunciation
edit- (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈfuːl.skæp/, /ˈfuːlz.kæp/
- (Canada) IPA(key): /ˈfʊl.skæp/, /ˈfoʊl.skæp/
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Noun
editfoolscap (plural foolscaps)
- Alternative form of fool's cap
- (strictly) Writing paper sheets measuring 13.25 x 16.5 inches
- (more usually) Such a sheet folded or cut in half, thus approximately 8 x 13.25 inches.
- 1892, Walter Besant, chapter II, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:
- At twilight in the summer there is never anybody to fear—man, woman, or cat—in the chambers and at that hour the mice come out. They do not eat parchment or foolscap or red tape, but they eat the luncheon crumbs.
- Printing paper measuring 13.5 inches x 17 inches.
Derived terms
editTranslations
editfool's cap — see fool's cap
writing paper sheets measuring 13.25 x 16.5 inches
|
such a sheet folded or cut in half, thus approximately 8 x 13.25 inches
|
printing paper measuring 13.5 inches x 17 inches
See also
editReferences
edit- Michael Quinion (2004) “Foolscap”, in Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books in association with Penguin Books, →ISBN.