Glossary

Here is where I’ll keep common terms used in bible making and higher end bibles. I’ll keep adding to the list as I find necessary and hope you find helpful. Any word in this glossary that shows up in a review or article I’ll try to link here.

I found that as I was getting interested in high end bibles, there were a lot of terms I didn’t know or understand. While there were many people in the Facebook groups I’m a part of that were friendly and helpful it still wasn’t always easy to find answers.

Cockling - When a crackling sound can be heard as you turn pages. Generally this is caused when a sewn bible is sewn just a bit too tight. Usually this is not a defect and won’t cause any problems or damage to the bible.

Full yapp - when the overhanging cover touches (or almost touches) the opposite side.

Generous yapp - In between a semi-yapp and a full yapp. What I define as there is enough yapp so that it can noticeably fold or bend around the block but is not touching the opposite side.

Overcast stitching - Where the first signature of the text block has an extra stitch line going up the page. This helps to prevent separation of the first signature from the rest of the block after repeated use, increasing the longevity of the bible.

Semi-yapp - When there is a yapp that extends beyond the block but is not long enough that it can noticeably fold or bend around the block.

Yapp - How much of the cover overhangs past the text block. Common terms (and what I’ll be using) include; no, semi, generous, full, and mega. Any sort of yapp is almost exclusive to leather covers.