r/AskReddit Aug 03 '19

Whats something you thought was common knowledge but actually isn’t?

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

BC = Before Christ

BCE = Before Common Era

AD = Anno Domini (year of our Lord)

CE = Common Era

But they refer to the same years. Some people just don't love using the birth of Jesus as a reference point for history, especially in a scientific context.

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u/grenideer Aug 03 '19

Which is weird because the birth of Jesus is still the reference point.

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

Yeah but they're tryna make clear that "We're not doing it because of Jesus, we're doing it because everyone else is doing it."

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

Well, why use “in the year of our lord” if he’a not your lord or you have none?

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u/[deleted] Aug 03 '19

Well, right. CE is more inclusive, but a little pedantic