Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2019 December 20

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December 20

Which word can be used to describe old paper

If you have some very old documents like 1950 certificate, not laminated. And the paper is in bad condition. How to describe the condition of those old papers? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 42.110.237.210 (talk) 15:27, 20 December 2019 (UTC)

You just did. "In bad condition" is perfectly acceptable. --Jayron32 15:28, 20 December 2019 (UTC)

Depending on the exact nature of the bad condition, it might be foxed. AndrewWTaylor (talk) 16:13, 20 December 2019 (UTC)

(edit conflict)Discolouration of old paper is described as foxing. Booksellers use a standardised system to describe the condition of used books, ranging from "As New" and "Fine" through to "Fair" and "Poor", as well as terms relating to specific problems; see A Guide to Book Conditions Alansplodge (talk) 16:17, 20 December 2019 (UTC)

Describe what you mean by "bad condition". Is it wrinkled? Or torn? Or stained? Or yellowed? I've seen really old books where the paper is so oxidized that it actually falls apart into a powdery form.--Khajidha (talk) 00:57, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

Khadija, the old land document which had been used by many generations, and yes the sides are almost torn, and the page need to be handled with care. The old land documents with 15 pages, where the front page is most damaged, the sides are worn out. The middle pages are okay, but last two pages are worst and was joined by tape, as folding made the pages more weak at the fold. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 42.110.238.115 (talk) 06:33, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

"Distressed" might be appropriate. This term is sometimes used in the antique (or "antique", heh heh) business (and others) to describe an item that has been deliberately treated to make it seem older, so it is presumably applicable to items which have become thus damaged legitimately. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.199.211.222 (talk) 09:22, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

No. That article suggests that "distressed" is exclusively for the treatments you describe. Bazza (talk) 10:20, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

See also List of used book conditions for some general descriptions. Matt Deres (talk) 19:17, 23 December 2019 (UTC)