Folderol
Meaning
Folderol refers to useless, foolish, or trivial nonsense or unnecessary ornamentation.
Origin
The charmingly archaic word 'folderol' is a delightful echo from the past, specifically from the musical refrains of 16th and 17th-century ballads and madrigals. Imagine singers trilling 'fa la la' or similar light, repetitive syllables between verses—these were often melodic but meaningless additions, pure vocal decoration. Over time, these playful, nonsensical bits of song coalesced into 'folderol,' a term that now perfectly captures anything that is mere triviality, silly ornamentation, or outright nonsense, still carrying that musical, lighthearted quality.
Examples
- The politician's speech was full of folderol, offering no real solutions to the pressing issues facing the nation.
- She quickly grew tired of all the folderol involved in planning the elaborate party and just wanted something simple.