I don't know if it's just my local news stations, but on several occasions I have heard the anchors refer to years in the 2000s as "twenty oh four", "twenty oh eight", etc. I first noticed it shortly after the '10s began. It's as if the media was/is trying to get that pronunciation to stick in the minds of the public, probably since there were debates around this time as to whether we should say "twenty ten" instead of "two thousand ten".

Now I'm all for saying "twenty thirteen", but I think that sounds kind of silly for the '00s.

Has anyone else noticed it or is it just me?

Sorry to interrupt you actual question, but is it also common in the US to say 'Two thousand thirteen"?

That's what most people say over here in the direct German translation (which is equally long).

Sorry to interrupt you actual question, but is it also common in the US to say 'Two thousand thirteen"?

That's what most people say over here in the direct German translation (which is equally long).


You could say it either or: twenty-thirteen or two-thousand thirteen

I've not noticed it before in regards to how they say years in the 2000's, but I do find it very aggravating when news anchors pronounce words certain ways. Especially, when they say "America" like "uh-muur-ree-kuh" instead of "uh-mair-ree-kuh."

Sorry to interrupt you actual question, but is it also common in the US to say 'Two thousand thirteen"?

That's what most people say over here in the direct German translation (which is equally long).


I think most of us over here are beginning to transition from referring to years as "two-thousand-xx" and towards calling them "twenty-xx". Back in the 00's, most everybody still said "two-thousand-eight", "two-thousand-nine", etc. But, ever since the 10's began, I'm noticing alot more people (myself included) saying it like "twenty-ten" and "twenty-eleven". Still kind of a mixed bag though.

But, ever since the 10's began, I'm noticing alot more people (myself included) saying it like "twenty-ten" and "twenty-eleven". Still kind of a mixed bag though.


I think that "Twenty-XX" sounds only good for years with one syllable (10 and 12). As Mark already mentioned, "Twenty Thirteen" is a bit weird.

I say twenty-thirteen...because that's what it is: a twenty 20 and a thirteen 13. Just like in the last century nobody said " One thousand nine hundred and something." We simply said "nineteen something." I don't know...that's how I see it :3

I say twenty-thirteen...because that's what it is: a twenty 20 and a thirteen 13. Just like in the last century nobody said " One thousand nine hundred and something." We simply said "nineteen something." I don't know...that's how I see it :3

I say 2013 (twenty thirteen) too, I don't see the fuss here.