the.com/folly
a mistake so committed it becomes architecture, expensive enough to admire from a distance
means A foolish act or thoughtless decision, or — in the architectural sense — an ornamental building constructed purely for show, with no practical purpose.
from From Old French 'folie,' meaning madness or foolishness, which traces back to 'fol' (mad, foolish) — the same root that gives us 'fool.' The deeper source is Latin 'follis,' a bellows or windbag, suggesting an empty head full of air. The architectural meaning — a costly, useless garden building — bloomed later, the word turning its mockery toward those rich enough to build their mistakes in stone.
- actual buildings
- Follies are decorative structures built to look purposely useless
- old french
- From folie, meaning madness or delight
- fake ruins
- Wealthy Victorians built crumbling castles brand new
- legal term
- A folly was once any costly, foolish undertaking
penshaw monument — greek doric temple replica on hilltop near sunderland, england, built 1844 as tribute to politician
tower of the winds — ornate structure built 1846 in dublin by miser who wanted an unusual house for his eccentric lifestyle