foolscap
/ˈfuːl.skæp/ noun
Forms foolscaps
- noun (strictly) Writing paper sheets measuring 13.25 × 16.5 inches.
- noun (more usually) Such a sheet folded or cut in half, thus approximately 8 × 13.25 inches.
- noun Printing paper measuring 13.5 × 17 inches.
Etymology
Probably from a watermark of a fool's cap.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A writing paper made in sheets, ordinarily 16 x 13 inches, and folded so as to make a page 13 x 8 inches. See Paper.
Etymology [So called from the watermark of a fool's cap and bells used by old paper makers. See Fool's cap, under Fool.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “foolscap”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details