Notes and Queries
Encyclopedia
Notes and Queries is a long-running quarterly scholarly journal that publishes short articles related to "English language and literature
, lexicography
, history
, and scholarly antiquarian
ism". Its emphasis is on "the factual rather than the speculative". The journal has a long history, having been established in 1849 in London; it is now published by Oxford University Press
.
The journal was originally subtitled "a medium of inter-communication for literary men, artists, antiquaries
, genealogists, etc". It is now subtitled "For readers and writers, collectors and librarians". Its motto was once "When found, make a note of", the catchphrase of a character in Dickens' Dombey and Son
.
, in which scholars and interested amateurs could exchange knowledge on literature
and history
. The format consisted of "Notes" (miscellaneous findings of correspondents that they and the editors considered of interest to the readership), and "Queries" (and responses to queries), which formed the bulk of the publication. The magazine has been likened to a nineteenth century version of a moderated Internet newsgroup
.
Many of the entries in the journal for its first seventy years were but a few paragraphs long, and occasionally as short as a sentence or two. Very frequent contributors include the Rev. Walter W. Skeat, one of the most important figures in the field of English etymology
, and Eliza Gutch
, founder of the Folklore Society
. The foundation of such a society was suggested by Gutch through a query to the publication. Gutch contributed to the publication for over seventy years, using the pseudonym "St Swithin".
Today, the magazine is produced as an academic journal
. The articles are typically much longer than they were during the journal's early years, though they are still shorter than those of the typical academic journal. In addition, the 'Notes' now far outweigh the 'Queries', and book reviews have also been introduced. The focus is now almost entirely on literature.
Notes and Queries has given its name to a number of similar columns and publications; for instance there is a regular feature under the same title Notes & Queries
in The Guardian
newspaper.
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
, lexicography
Lexicography
Lexicography is divided into two related disciplines:*Practical lexicography is the art or craft of compiling, writing and editing dictionaries....
, history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, and scholarly antiquarian
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
ism". Its emphasis is on "the factual rather than the speculative". The journal has a long history, having been established in 1849 in London; it is now published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
.
The journal was originally subtitled "a medium of inter-communication for literary men, artists, antiquaries
Antiquarian
An antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient objects of art or science, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts...
, genealogists, etc". It is now subtitled "For readers and writers, collectors and librarians". Its motto was once "When found, make a note of", the catchphrase of a character in Dickens' Dombey and Son
Dombey and Son
Dombey and Son is a novel by the Victorian author Charles Dickens. It was first published in monthly parts between October 1846 and April 1848 with the full title Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son: Wholesale, Retail and for Exportation...
.
Format
Notes and Queries was first published in 1849 as a weekly periodical edited by W.J. Thoms. It was founded as an academic correspondence magazineMagazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
, in which scholars and interested amateurs could exchange knowledge on literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
. The format consisted of "Notes" (miscellaneous findings of correspondents that they and the editors considered of interest to the readership), and "Queries" (and responses to queries), which formed the bulk of the publication. The magazine has been likened to a nineteenth century version of a moderated Internet newsgroup
Newsgroup
A usenet newsgroup is a repository usually within the Usenet system, for messages posted from many users in different locations. The term may be confusing to some, because it is usually a discussion group. Newsgroups are technically distinct from, but functionally similar to, discussion forums on...
.
Many of the entries in the journal for its first seventy years were but a few paragraphs long, and occasionally as short as a sentence or two. Very frequent contributors include the Rev. Walter W. Skeat, one of the most important figures in the field of English etymology
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
, and Eliza Gutch
Eliza Gutch
Eliza Gutch was an author and contributor to Notes and Queries. It was from her suggestion that the Folklore Society was formed, with Gutch as a founder member...
, founder of the Folklore Society
Folklore Society
The Folklore Society was founded in England in 1878 to study traditional vernacular culture, including traditional music, song, dance and drama, narrative, arts and crafts, customs and belief...
. The foundation of such a society was suggested by Gutch through a query to the publication. Gutch contributed to the publication for over seventy years, using the pseudonym "St Swithin".
Today, the magazine is produced as an academic journal
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
. The articles are typically much longer than they were during the journal's early years, though they are still shorter than those of the typical academic journal. In addition, the 'Notes' now far outweigh the 'Queries', and book reviews have also been introduced. The focus is now almost entirely on literature.
Namesakes
There were numerous regional versions of Notes and Queries throughout Britain (e.g., Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries) and three incarnations of American Notes and Queries.Notes and Queries has given its name to a number of similar columns and publications; for instance there is a regular feature under the same title Notes & Queries
Notes & Queries
Notes & Queries is a weekly column in The Guardian newspaper which publishes readers' questions together with answers submitted by other readers....
in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper.
External links
- N&Q at Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, official website. - Online Index of `Notes and Queries` (November 1849 - June 1922), copies online at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
, Project GutenbergProject GutenbergProject Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks". Founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, it is the oldest digital library. Most of the items in its collection are the full texts of public domain books...
and Google Books. Complete set, unordered. - Bodleian Internet Library of Early Journals has some scans of early numbers.
- Article on N&Q from Victoria Research Web