I have this minor pet peeve. Yes, I know that there’s no hope in educating the entire world… but I always feel the need to let people know when they say something about this being the end of a decade. Apparently, my efforts 10 years ago with the new millennium didn’t work.

For those that aren’t aware, this isn’t the first year of a new decade, but rather the last year of one.

Yes, I understand the practicality of referring to decades as the 80′s or the 90′s and it seems natural that it would be from 1980 to 1989. And yes, I am aware that our numbering system for years is purely arbitrary.

BUT, consider this: There is no year zero. None. Well, unless you’re an astronomer.

So, this means that the first year was obviously year 1. So, it follows that the first decade is then from the beginning of year 1 to the end of year 10. Obviously, the next decade starts from year 11 until the year 20. Likewise, the first century is from 1 to 100, then 101 to 200. And likewise for millennia  (and there isn’t anything larger then that… unless you go to ages, epochs, eras, or eons… but most of us won’t even be around to see the next century, so meh).

Yes.. this is nitpicking.. but i just wanted to point this out once and for all. And no… I’m not the only person to have noticed this. But still, whenever I hear someone say that… I need to point out that they are wrong!