foolscap

[ foolz-kap ]

/ ˈfulzˌkæp /

a type of inexpensive writing paper, especially legal-size, lined, yellow sheets, bound in tablet form.

Chiefly British. a size of drawing or printing paper, 13.5 × 17 inches (34 × 43 cm). Abbreviation: cap., fcp.

Also called foolscap octavo. a size of book, about 4.25 × 6.75 inches (11 × 17 cm), untrimmed.

Also called foolscap quarto. Chiefly British. a size of book, about 6.75 × 8.5 inches (17 × 22 cm) untrimmed.

Origin of foolscap

First recorded in 1690–1700; so called from the watermark of a fool's cap formerly used on such paper

Van glanced furtively at his chum who, unconscious of his scrutiny, was writing steadily down a long page of foolscap.

The Story of Sugar |Sara Ware Bassett
He put the note on the foolscap book and laid them on the table.

Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1909 to 1922 |Lucy Maud Montgomery
The postscript seems to belong to a letter written on the first leaf of the foolscap sheet, which is lost or destroyed.

The Conspiracy of Pontiac and the Indian War after the Conquest of Canada |Francis Parkman
On the voyage he wrote a minute narrative of his diplomatic career, occupying two hundred and fifty pages of foolscap.

Benjamin Franklin, A Picture of the Struggles of Our Infant Nation One Hundred Years Ago |John S. C. Abbott

Put away that great pile of foolscap and talk to me; Im as full of talk as an egg is full of meat.

Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline |Jennie M. Drinkwater

foolscap

/ (ˈfuːlzˌkæp) /

mainly British a size of writing or printing paper, 13 1/2 by 17 inches or 13 1/4 by 16 1/2 inches

a book size, 4 1/4 by 6 3/4 inches (foolscap octavo) or (chiefly Brit) 6 3/4 by 8 1/2 inches (foolscap quarto)

a variant spelling of fool's cap

C17: see fool 1, cap; so called from the watermark formerly used on this kind of paper