folderol

American  

[fol-duh-rol] / ˈfɒl dəˌrɒl /

Also falderal

noun

1. mere nonsense; foolish talk or ideas.

2. a trifle; gimcrack; gew-gaw.

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folderol British  

/ ˈfɒldəˌrɒl /

noun

1. a variant of falderal

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Etymology

Origin of folderol

First recorded in 1695–1705 and 1820–25 folderol for def. 2; originally as a nonsense refrain in songs; of obscure origin

Explanation

Folderol is nonsense or trivial foolishness. A politician might claim that her rival's proposals are nothing but folderol. There are a lot of words that mean nonsense, from malarkey to codswallop to twaddle, and folderol is yet another one. The word comes from the meaningless song refrain fol-de-rol, a variation on "tra la la," and first appeared in the 18th century. Later, it came to have the additional meaning of "cheap, showy trifle or gewgaw." Some people decide to elope when they get married, instead of having an elaborate wedding full of folderol.

Example Sentences

In other words, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment with much of this bucket-list folderol.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

Some of the accompanying folderol does merit deeper reflection, however.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

Since she wants for nothing, she’s the least stressful presence here, invested in spiritual folderol in a way that isn’t annoying.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

Given the cast of characters involved, especially Greene, it's easy to dismiss this as backbench folderol.

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2022

Jus’ as the man walked by us, the cap’n leant forward and tolt me and Syl, “Y’all quit all that folderol and act like you got some sense.”

From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis