´óÏó´«Ã½

Is a greenhouse gas?
Ed, Clacton, UK

Re I noticed a similar phenomenon nearly two years ago. Should I have written an academic paper instead of a ?
Andrew Collier, Cambridge, UK

To all those claiming the noughties do not end until next year (Tuesday letters), which decade would you place 1990 in? The 80s? Thought not.
Bob, London

Right, enough of this decade rubbish.
The 80s was 1980-1989, then 1990 was the start of a new decade.
Using the same logic, the 00's run from 2000-2009.
Count the years - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. There are 10 there.
2010 = decade over.
Adam, Tewkesbury

Helen: 2000. Does that have enough zeroes for you?
Jenna, Bath

The fact there was no year zero is unimportant. A decade is any period of 10 years. On your 10th birthday you have lived for a decade, whether you were born in 1989, 1990 or 1993. The Magazine is celebrating the decade where the first three digits are "200".
Andy Taylor, Southampton, UK
Monitor note: And you can download our .

And everyone loves a round number!
Amy S, Cambridge

Oooh, so close! (see end-of-decade sweepstake, Wednesday 9 December)
Pascal, Grand Union Canal, Cowley, Uxbridge

Why does the ´óÏó´«Ã½ refer to , but would not dream of referring to the Trapps instead of the von Trapps. I went to look at the Style Guide for help and got sidetracked by the fact that my ´óÏó´«Ã½ search threw up more results of Monitor letters than the style guide itself.
Harvey Mayne, Frankfurt, Germany

is put in unusually cheery terms. Another way to say it would have been "Unemployment continues to rise". Is the Beeb trying to keep our spirits up in the run up to Christmas?
Phil, Guisborough

Simon Cowell tells NME: "The Christmas number one... over recent years, it was Bob the Builder one year, Mr Blobby. There's a tradition of quite horrible songs. I think I've done everyone a favour."
Should someone remind him he conceived and produced Mr Blobby's Christmas number one?
Sam, Leeds

David - good point (Tuesday letters). The "man-meets-goat" story totally beats my stoned wallabies.
Kailyn LeAnne, Kentucky, US

OK, I give in. I finally read the goat story.
Kay, London

Further to Rory's request (re Tuesday letters), undoubtedly the very best letter of the last decade, or century even, was the one I sent. But Monitor obviously didn't think so as it wasn't printed.
Peter, Cropthrorne, Worcs

Dear Monitor, is the following joke suitable for sending to relatives in Scotland?
A man in Aberdeen calls his son in London the day before Christmas Eve and says "I hate to ruin your day but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough."
"Dad, what are you talking about?" the son screams.
"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the father says. "We're sick of each other and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Leeds and tell her."
Frantically, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like hell they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this!"
She calls Aberdeen immediately: You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Sorted! They're coming for Christmas - and they're paying their own way."
Leif, Chearsley, Bucks
Monitor note: Will throw this one over to the panel. Guys?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• - What's this?