English Language & Usage Asked by user73091 on August 22, 2021
Is it acceptable to use ‘obverse and reverse’ when referring to the sides of a loose-leaf sheet of paper?
The wikipedia article on, “Obverse and Reverse” stated that:
“Obverse and its opposite, reverse, refer to the two flat faces of coins and some other two-sided objects, including paper money, flags, seals, medals, drawings, old master prints and other works of art, and printed fabrics.”
I’m aware of verso and recto, but I’ve only seen it refer to pages bound together.
Obverse:
The side of a coin or medal bearing the head or principal design.
The opposite or counterpart of a fact or truth:
Reverse:
left-hand page of an open book, or the back of a loose document.
The side of a coin or medal bearing the value or secondary design.
Source: Oxfordictionaries.com
While reverse may be used to refer to the back of sheet of paper, leaflet or document, obverse is not used with that meaning, but it refers mainly to the side of a coin, paper money or drawings (with reverse as its opposite with that respect).
As suggested front and back are more appropriate terms for common usage regarding a sheet of paper.
Correct answer by user66974 on August 22, 2021
I would simply say "on both sides" or "front and back."
Please fill out this form (front and back).
Please fill out this form on both sides.
Answered by Elian on August 22, 2021
Verso and Recto are used for the opposing sides (leaves) in a book.
Answered by GMB on August 22, 2021
If the paper has been written on both sides it is called a opisthograph but wrong side of paper is the Wire Side or the "Opposite of felt side, this is the side of the paper that was against the wire during manufacture. A watermark will read backward from this side of the sheet."
Answered by Third News on August 22, 2021
Facing leaves on different sheets is left verso and right recto Two sides of the same page are recto right and when turned over obverso
recto are always odd number pages and verso are even
beware those who confuse by talking about recto and verso being opposite sides of the same page when they are on different sheets that face each other when the book is open
Answered by long time publisher on August 22, 2021
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