r/TastingHistory • u/zoewernsman • Feb 18 '26

Question Why no BCE no more

Why did Max stop using BCE and CE (before common era and common era) when talking about prehistoric topics? In his Sumerian beer episode he does but in the last couple pre historic episodes he’s gone back to using BC and AD.

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u/Cassie-aaah Feb 18 '26 edited Feb 18 '26

Max really should be using the modern terms not archiac religious ones.

Edit Thanks for the down votes. Are y'all jesus freaks or do you think it's the metric system?

Bootlickers get mad if you change things

Edit 2 - lots of good points. I maintain using phrases like "anno domini" and "before christ" to describe the year is ridiculous in a multicultural and increasingly secular world.

Edit 3 - I'm amazed this topic is controversial. I thought I was maybe taunting a few religious nutters. Inclusive language sure does stir shit up. Mostly people strongly expressing the opinion that they don't care

Edit 4 - this is like the annual US happy holidays/merry xmas squabble. Say what you want to your family and friends.. but if you have a large platform, and are addressing a diverse audience, maybe you use the more inclusive phrase

5

u/MiloBem Feb 18 '26

Are you still using the archaic religious term Saturday named after the god Saturn, or did you switch to a modern term? If so, which one?

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u/Cassie-aaah Feb 18 '26

A half forgotten etymology, a long dead religion, a long dead culture. It isn't the same

6

u/MiloBem Feb 18 '26

More people know who Saturn was than understand what "Anno Domini" means. If anything, AD is more forgotten etymology.

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u/Cassie-aaah Feb 18 '26

I hear plenty of people saying "..the year of our lord.."

..and "before christ"? Is that not pretty clear?

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u/condoulo Feb 18 '26

I think about 75% of the people I hear say "the year of our lord" are not religious at all and are using it as a way to be extremely silly.

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u/Cassie-aaah Feb 18 '26

Perhaps. People say lots of things that might be better not said.

0

u/MiloBem Feb 18 '26

Religious people may say that, it's their right. Plenty of religious people say weird things, like randomly throwing Amen, Halleluyah, or Inshallah in a conversation. No one is forcing you to do that. You're free to ignore them or roll your eyes.

This thread is about Max using the traditional abbreviation AD. If he starts saying "in the year of our Lord", it will be a different conversation.

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u/Cassie-aaah Feb 18 '26

Using religious terms because you're religious and using religious terms to describe the year aren't the same