The author analyzes the concept of “traditional bookishness” in scientific discourse, noting its unreasonably wide, not terminological, but rather metaphorical use. The reasons for this seem to be: 1) an arbitrary idea of the scope and composition of this concept, which, depending on the field of knowledge, can be identified with folklore works, and sacred texts, and with medieval literature in general, and with the literature of reflective traditionalism, and with “ready word” narratives, etc.; 2) understanding of traditionalism as a single, homogeneous and monolithic creative system, while it appears in at least three of its modifications: traditional-canonical, conservation-etiquette and imitative-rhetorical.