Ah yes, the old hornbook ... something we talked about in my
education courses in undergrad. Hornbooks were sheets (usually just one)
that were on a board and worn hung around a child's neck as a long
necklace. On them were written abc's and other basics of the three r's.
Coming from an education background, I was a little surprised to see
the term in such high use when I first entered law librarianship.
-------------------------------
Christine M. Stouffer, Reference
Ritter Library, Baldwin-Wallace College
Cleveland, OH. 44017
On Wed, 2 Aug 1995, Helen Litwack wrote:
> Hello out there.
>
> Does anyone know the origin of the term "hornbook"?
> Black's Law Dictionary calls it a "colloquial designation
> of the rudiments or general principles of law", but does not
> tell me what the origin of the term is, e.g., what the "horn"
> in "hornbook" means.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Helen Litwack
> Reference Librarian
> New England School of Law Library
> Boston, Mass.
> hlitwack@lib.nesl.edu
>
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