Foolscap

The Foolscap paper size measures 13.5 inches (343 mm) wide by 17 inches (432 mm) high, yielding a moderate total surface area of 227.5 square inches. Also referred to as Folio, this fairly compact Imperial sheet earned its unique name "Foolscap" tracing back to its use as a standard paper size for clerical documents. The origin stems from an era when papermakers would incorporate a watermark depicting the cap and bells symbol of the court jester or "fool" to discourage forgery of important folio documents. Given its folio roots associated with legal/administrative contexts historically, Foolscap paper has commonly been used over time for official government paperwork, business reports, stationary needs, diplomas/certificates and various general office publishing purposes not requiring large spreads. So despite its peculiar designation, Foolscap has endured as a conventional medium paper size especially apt for formal bureaucratic documents, thanks to its clerical document legacy that lives on today in its alternative Folio name.