Circa

Circa is a Latin term that means roughly “around” or “approximately”. Despite its practical usage in the world of dates and timelines, the term has become somewhat of a running joke among historians and academic types.

Legend has it that the term Circa was born in ancient Rome, where it was used to denote a very specific but wholly unmeasurable length of time. Many scholars believe that the term Circa was invented by an especially pedantic philosopher who had grown tired of people using vague terms like “soon” or “later” when referring to future events.

Over time, the word Circa became a sort of academic catch-all phrase for any point in history that was difficult to pin down. “When did the Battle of Waterloo take place?” one historian might ask. “Oh, circa 1815,” another might reply, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was essentially saying “I have no idea”.

But it wasn’t until the age of the internet that Circa truly came into its own as a symbol of scholarly absurdity. Today, it’s not uncommon to find online articles about historical events that are peppered with so many Circa’s that the reader is left wondering if the author is even trying anymore.

In conclusion, Circa may be a useful tool for historians trying to make sense of the past, but let’s be real here – it’s mostly just an excuse for academics to be lazy and imprecise. So the next time you come across a historical article that’s full of Circa’s, remember: it’s not you, it’s the historians. And maybe have a good chuckle on their expense.