Origin of word Foolscap

[raynerr]

What is the orign of the word ''Foolscap'' meaning a larger size of writing paper

[Quizmonster]

This size of paper originally carried a watermark showing a fool's cap and bells to identify it as early as the 17th century.

[andy hughes]

I like to think I carry a large amount of trivia around in my head, but Quizmonster has me beaten hands down - where DO you find all this information?

[Quizmonster]

What Alexander Pope said in his 'Essay on Criticism', Andy:

"The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read,

With loads of learned lumber in his head"

describes me (almost) to a T!

Maybe not a total blockhead and not all my reading was ignorant. Apart from - like yourself - dragging all that trivia around with me, I do have access to some of the finest reference-sources known to man right at hand.

PS Be honest...I'll bet you knew the answer to this one, too, and found that I'd just beaten you to the answer-slot! Your own answers are invariably excellent. Cheers

[robber1]

I agree, well done Quizmonster.

[andy hughes]

Thanks for your faith Quizmonster - I realised when I read your answer that I did know it, but it had to be jogged in my memory, so no, I wasn't beaten to the answer this time!