a small traditional paper size. A foolscap sheet is 17 x 13-1/2 inches (43 x 34cm): when folded into octavo (8vo) format this will give a book 6-3/4 inches (17cm) tall if untrimmed.

This was the term for a size of writing paper commonly used during Victorian times. It measured about 13" x 17" in size. Charles Darwin often used foolscaps for his notes on geology, transmutation and other research topics

writing paper of the Regency period, so called because it usually was imprinted with a watermark of a jester's cap.