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2010. Not only did Jan. 1 mark the beginning of a New Year it was the dawn of a new decade. I know because it was just 10 years ago plus a day that the calamity-that-wasn't befell us: Y2K. Not only the start of a new decade but the beginning of an entirely new century.
Decades are labeled by the years they encapsulate: the '20s, the '30s, the swinging '60s, the greedy '80s etc. I've heard many refer to the decade just ended as the "aughts."
So that got me to thinking about the first nine years of the Common Era. What are they called? Since decades begin with the years ending in 0, that means the first decade had to begin at 10 CE. How do we refer to the years 1-9 CE? Is there a word, like decade, for a nine-year period? This has really been bugging me.
Of course, no one really lived in the present tense in years 0-9 CE. They didn't even exist in the years 0-500 or so CE, so I guess the point is actually moot. This Dionysius Exiguus fellow who came up with the bright idea of the Gregorian calendar, didn't even implement it until 532 CE. I mean, one year folks were living in the Diocletian year of 247 and the next they were living in the Gregorian year of 525, which meant a whole lot of youngsters were suddenly able to purchase alcohol earlier than they ever imagined.
Which brings up additional worries. Did the very first Gregorian decade begin in 530? If so, then how did Donny Baby Sweetheart Kid refer to the years 525-529? As a Fiver? And, perhaps, considering all this, decades should actually begin in years ending in five. And centuries should begin in years ending in 25.
Omigod!!! Is everyone prepared for Y2-25? It's the end of the world as we know it!!!
Decades are labeled by the years they encapsulate: the '20s, the '30s, the swinging '60s, the greedy '80s etc. I've heard many refer to the decade just ended as the "aughts."
So that got me to thinking about the first nine years of the Common Era. What are they called? Since decades begin with the years ending in 0, that means the first decade had to begin at 10 CE. How do we refer to the years 1-9 CE? Is there a word, like decade, for a nine-year period? This has really been bugging me.
Of course, no one really lived in the present tense in years 0-9 CE. They didn't even exist in the years 0-500 or so CE, so I guess the point is actually moot. This Dionysius Exiguus fellow who came up with the bright idea of the Gregorian calendar, didn't even implement it until 532 CE. I mean, one year folks were living in the Diocletian year of 247 and the next they were living in the Gregorian year of 525, which meant a whole lot of youngsters were suddenly able to purchase alcohol earlier than they ever imagined.
Which brings up additional worries. Did the very first Gregorian decade begin in 530? If so, then how did Donny Baby Sweetheart Kid refer to the years 525-529? As a Fiver? And, perhaps, considering all this, decades should actually begin in years ending in five. And centuries should begin in years ending in 25.
Omigod!!! Is everyone prepared for Y2-25? It's the end of the world as we know it!!!
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