folly

folly

In architecture, an eccentric, generally nonfunctional (and often deliberately unfinished) structure erected to enhance a romantic landscape. Follies were particularly in vogue in England in the 18th and early 19th century. They might resemble medieval towers, ruined castles overgrown with vines, or crumbling Classical temples complete with fallen, eroded columns. In the U.S., the term has been applied to ornate gazebos. It may also be applied to any unusual building that is extravagant or whimsical in style.

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folly

1. Architecture a building in the form of a castle, temple, etc., built to satisfy a fancy or conceit, often of an eccentric kind

2. Theatre an elaborately costumed revue

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Folly

Foolishness (See DIMWITTEDNESS, STUPIDITY.)

Fools (See CLOWNS.)

Abu Jahl

“father of folly”; opposes Mohammed. [Muslim Tradition: Koran 22:8]

Alnaschar’s daydream

spends profits before selling his goods. [Arab. Lit.: Arabian Nights, “The Barber’s Fifth Night”]

Bateau, Le

Matisse’s famous painting, displayed in the Museum of Modern Art for 47 days before someone discovered it was being shown upside down. [Am. Hist.: Wallechinsky, 472]

Bay of Pigs, the

disastrous U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba (1961). [Am. Hist.: Van Doren, 577]

Chamberlain, Arthur Nevil

British Prime Minister attempted to avert war by policy of appeasement. [Eur. Hist.: Collier’s, IV, 552]

columbine

traditional symbol of folly. [Plant Symbolism: Flora Symbolica, 173]

dog returning to his vomit

and so the fool to his foolishness. [O. T.: Proverbs 26:11 ]

Fulton’s Folly

the first profitable steamship, originally considered a failure. [Am. Hist.: NCE, 1025]

Gotham

English village proverbially noted for the folly (some-times wisely deliberate) of its residents. [Eng. Folklore: Brewer Dictionary, 410]

Grand, Joseph

spends years writing novel; only finishes first sentence. [Fr. Lit.: The Plague]

Hamburger Hill

bloody Viet Nam battle over strategically worthless objective (1969). [Am. Hist.: Van Doren, 631]

Howard Hotel

after completing construction, the contractors installed boilers and started fires before discovering they had forgotten to build a chimney. [Am. Hist.: Wallechinsky, 470]

Laputa and Lagada

lands where wise men conduct themselves inanely. [Br. Lit.: Gulliver’s Travels]

Seward’s Folly Alaska

once seemingly valueless territory which William Henry Seward bought for two cents an acre (1867), thirty years before the Klondike gold rush. [Am. Hist.: Payton, 610]