[DCRM-L] Preferred term between "roll" and "scroll" in 300, 500/520 and 655

[Noble, Richard]

"Scroll" is certainly the more communicative term--specific as to its
physical character, but generic with respect to contents. "Roll" is more
generic as to the shape of the thing, and the terms have been used as
perfect synonyms; but "roll" has also narrowed over time to designate a
class of legal and administrative documents and records which were
originally rolled, but not necessarily scrolls; and eventually were so
called only generically. "Roll" would therefore be ambiguous for some
researchers and, since there are many more rolled things than just scrolls,
for general users of the catalog as well, while the common usage of "scroll"
pretty much conforms to its scope as a form/genre term.

Thus OED, "roll":

*I.* Senses relating to paper and records.

    *1. a.* A piece of parchment or paper which is written upon or intended
to contain writing, music, etc., and is rolled up for ease of handling,
carrying, or storing; a scroll.

    *b.* *spec.* An official record or document, (originally) inscribed in a
rolled piece of parchment or paper; (in later use) printed on paper or
maintained electronically. Also *fig.*
  Freq. with defining term, as *rolls of Chancery*, *rolls of Court*, *rolls
of Parliament*, etc. *court*, *parliament roll*: see the first element.
RICHARD NOBLE : RARE BOOKS CATALOGER : JOHN HAY LIBRARY : BROWN UNIVERSITY
PROVIDENCE, RI 02912 : 401-863-1187/FAX 863-3384 : RICHARD_NOBLE at BROWN.EDU
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