The return of calendar chaos

That Charles Osgood. “What a rebel,” I used to think. Unlike the veteran CBS newsman, most of  us entered this decade by learning to say “2-thousand” in reference to the year. “2-thousand one, 2-thousand two”—it just sounds right.

But not to Charles Osgood. The host of Sunday Morning always references the date before delivering the news headlines. And throughout this decade, he has continued to announce the year as being twenty-something—“twenty-oh-one, twenty-oh-two.” Why does he have to be different? Can’t he just be like the rest of us?

Now comes along 2010. I assumed we were on a role with the whole “2-thousand” thing. It seems to be working for folks, so no need to change it, right? Then why is it happening?! I’m sure you’ve heard it. All the car commercials talk about the new twenty-10 models. A lot of the newscasters are discussing the twenty-10 election.

I’m not trying to be difficult here. I’m just looking for a little consistency. Is it going to be 2-thousand? Or is it going to be 20? Just let me know what you all decide, and I’ll go along with it.

Damn you, Charles Osgood!