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foolscap

noun

  1. size of paper using the British Imperial system of units, popular in Britain before metrication
L320835 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈfuːl.skæp/ / /ˈfuːlz.kæp/ / /ˈfʊl.skæp/

noun

Etymology: Probably from a watermark of a fool's cap.

  1. Writing paper sheets measuring 13.25 × 16.5 inches.
  2. Such a sheet folded or cut in half, thus approximately 8 × 13.25 inches.

    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.

  3. Printing paper measuring 13.5 × 17 inches.
  4. Alternative form of fool's cap.