By topic: 147
John o’ London’s Weekly, undated
In book: 100c
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“Folly” place names #2 (H.F. Hatch)

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“Folly.”H. F. Hatch (Hitchin) writes: A correspondent in your issue of December 2nd seeks to derive the word “folly,” as applied to places, apart from its satirical meaning, from “folk-ley.” Rather should it be from “fore-ley”—the meadow in front, generally of a hill, at the foot. The letter “k” could hardly disappear. There is an instance here, almost in view.

 

Source info: Not stated, but clearly same journal as 79c, 122d.