Commonplace” is a translation of the Latin term locus communis (from Greek tópos koinós, see literary topos) which means “a general or common place”, such as a statement of proverbial wisdom.
The origin of this was that these books were collections of such sayings Misc
Commonplace books were used by scientists and other thinkers in the same way that a database might now be used: Carl Linnaeus, for instance, used commonplacing techniques to invent and arrange the nomenclature of his Systema Naturae (which is the basis for the system used by scientists today)
In the first century AD, Seneca the Younger suggested that readers collect commonplace ideas and sententiae as if like a bee and by imitation turn them into their own honey-like words.
Sei Shonagon produced “The Pillow Book” which is a private book of anecdotes, poetry, daily thoughts and lists in the 10th or 11th century where she was a courtier. Little is known of her. Even her name is uncertain. But still, we have this collection.
Thought
From NYT headlines
Commonplace Books Are Like a Diary Without the Risk of Annoying Yourself I keep a journal of quotes, lines from songs, poetry. Nothing is my original thought — but all of it struck me as meaningful when I wrote it down.
I kept a daily journal for years and years. I’d never publicly share it, as a rule of the exercise. But what does this collection of interesting scraps in a Commonplace book reflect upon the curator?