Shamanism Or Tomfoolery

The Merman's Children, Book Four, I.

The Inuit shaman makes an epic journey and returns with important information. Despite this:

"'It was nothing,' he muttered. 'Just lies and tomfoolery. I am an old swindler, and no wisdom is in me.'" (p. 192)

We have recently discussed Tom Fool.

See:

the combox for During The Storm

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Idiom Origins

"Tom Foolery" dates from the early nineteenth century. "Tom Fool" dates from the fourteenth century. The Tom Fool of Muncaster Castle died around 1600 which would mean that he was not, after all, the original Tom Fool as is claimed.