Langimage
English

tomfoolery

|tom-fool-er-y|

B2

/tɒmˈfuːləri/

foolish behavior

Etymology
Etymology Information

'tomfoolery' originates from the name 'Tom Fool,' a character in English folklore known for his foolish behavior.

Historical Evolution

'Tom Fool' was a common name for a foolish person in medieval England, and the term evolved into 'tomfoolery' to describe foolish actions.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to the antics of a fool, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'foolish behavior.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

foolish or silly behavior.

His tomfoolery at the meeting was not appreciated.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45