So... what are we calling this decade?

[StrangeBird]

Based on what I’ve heard in the media and in general conversation “the noughties” seems to be the front runner in Australia.

[Kimstu]

Based on what I’ve seen of their tabloids, naughty is always a front runner in Australia.

[aldiboronti]

There’s no rule that decrees that decades must have a name. If there’s an obvious one, as with the twenties, etc, then they get a name. If there isn’t then they don’t, as with the first two decades of the 1900s.

It’s becoming quite clear that the first decade of the 21st century will follow suit, and equally likely that the second will do the same.

I’m afraid we’ll just have to wait for the thirties to get to a named decade again.

[homeskillet]

Considering what a crap decade it’s been, how about the “0 Shit’s”?

[Chessic_Sense]

@Kimstu

What’s wrong with “teens”, as in “nineteen-teens”, “twenty-teens”?

Those difficult teenage years are a tough time for any century, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a name for them.

Because then 2010-2012 feel very left out.

[gazpacho]

@Kimstu

What’s wrong with “teens”, as in “nineteen-teens”, “twenty-teens”?

Those difficult teenage years are a tough time for any century, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a name for them.

I have never seen or heard anybody referring to the years 1910 to 1919 as the teens. They just muddled along until the 20s.

[GuanoLad]

The iPod Age

[Justin_Bailey]

@Fuzzy_Dunlop

I feel that anyone still wondering what to call this decade has either not heard “the noughties” or has no taste whatsoever and should not be allowed to vote. The noughties is a fantastic name for a decade.

I have never heard anyone seriously refer to the decade as the noughties (outside of threads like this). I’ve always heard it described as “the 2000s”.

[Siam_Sam]

It seems to me terms like the 2000s and the 1900s would refer to the entire century rather than only the first decade.

[Ellen_Cherry]

I’ve got a 2010 Toyota Prius and we can’t break ourselves of the habit of saying it’s an “Oh-10 Prius.” This amuses me a great deal.

So therefore I dub this decade the Ohs.

[GuanoLad]

@Siam_Sam

It seems to me terms like the 2000s and the 1900s would refer to the entire century rather than only the first decade.

They could. But they generally don’t. Instead we use “20th Century” and “21st Century”.

[TimeWinder]

Unless there’s a particular cultural reason why we need a name, I suspect that having gone this long means there won’t be one.

Me? I just call it the really, really late 90’s.

[Siam_Sam]

@GuanoLad

They could. But they generally don’t. Instead we use “20th Century” and “21st Century”.

I’ve always seen both the 1900s and the 20th century used regularly. Never encountered the 1900s, 1800s etc to mean only the first decade.

[Fuzzy_Dunlop]

@Justin_Bailey

I have never heard anyone seriously refer to the decade as the noughties (outside of threads like this). I’ve always heard it described as “the 2000s”.

I didn’t say it was a popular name I said it was a fantastic name. There’s a huge difference.

[bucketybuck]

I thought this question had already been answered, years ago?

I have heard the term “the noughties” so many times I would have sworn it was already common usage.

Hell, one of the BBC digital channels is currently running a review show of the “noughties”, with that name used in the title.

[Tamex]

@Chessic_Sense

Because then 2010-2012 feel very left out.

They can be called “the Preteens”.

[Ignatz]

“The Decade from Hell”

[Siam_Sam]

@Ignatz

“The Decade from Hell”

Wouldn’t fit. It’s been a pretty good one for me.

[Squink]

@Siam_Sam

Wouldn’t fit. It’s been a pretty good one for me.

Too bad, Time magazine’s made it official:

The '00s: Goodbye (at Last) to the Decade From Hell

[Siam_Sam]

I guess I’ve been luckier than Time magazine.