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Where does the word "fool" come from? It comes from Latin follis, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "fool" come from? It comes from Latin follis, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Fool’s story begins in Latin: follis meant “bellows.” A bag of air, used in Late Latin for an empty-headed person. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fol. Court jesters were called 'fols'. It reached English by 1200s as fool. 'April Fool' dates from the 1600s. Today, fool means a person who acts unwisely.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient follis "bellows", a bag of air, used in Late Latin for an empty-headed person.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval fol "madman, jester", court jesters were called 'fols'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s fool "a silly person", 'April Fool' dates from the 1600s.