19XX

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For the video game, see 19XX: The War Against Destiny.

19XX is a placeholder year. Alternate versions include 19??, 19xx, 19—, 19__, etc.

Contents 1 Some uses 1.1 Fiction 1.2 Fill-in-the-blank 2 Other centuries

[edit] Some uses

[edit] Fiction

The use of 19xx is common in fiction to indicate that the events in the work will take place in the near future, or took place during a specific century. By doing this, the author tries to increase the sense of realism.

[edit] Fill-in-the-blank

The convention is also used on demonstration memos and other paperwork instead of a real date, or, as "19__", for later entry of the actual year. This can be seen on bank checks.

[edit] Other centuries

For literature set in the past, any century is substitutable for "19XX", such as Treasure Island's "17__" or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde's "18--". For current use "20XX" has replaced 19XX in the new millennium.