Quote:
Originally Posted by rkomar
I can both acknowledge that the usage of the word "book" has changed while protesting that change itself. I don't like that the word has less meaning now than it used to; it seems to be a step backwards. Again, I'll bring up the example of a bound volume with four novels in it. Is it one book or four? It's hard to say with the new usage, but crystal clear with the old. Something has been lost.
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The term that comes to my mind when referring to bound volumes is codex (plural codices). It was after all the term used to distinguish such books from scrolls. I admit that it would likely be confusing in ordinary conversation.
In my day-to-day life I find that terms such as board book, paperback, hardcover or ebook are perfectly adequate when I need to distinguish between different forms.
As for the case of four novels bound together .... that's why the term omnibus exists
My personal pet peeve is the use of the term 'box set' when referring to an ebook omnibus. Why use a term referring to a particular physical setup when the terms collection and omnibus exist?
Going back to the original conversation, my four year old doesn't particularly see the difference between having picture ebooks read to her from my tablet or having me read paper picture books (other then the fact that my tablet is always around while the paper books can be lost). On the other hand I was much happier allowing her to tote around board books when she was at the chewing and flinging stage and I still prefer her to be using paper books when by herself. And some picture books really don't work well in small scale.