Since when did it become popular to shorthand years from 2020 A.D. to 2020? I haven't seen anything after a google search, and in fact I wonder if it was even popular to use A.D., ever. I don't recall a time I ever used it.

I may only be 37 pages into "The Hobbit", re-reading it after 20+ years, but several things already confuse me. First of all, and this is what I'm mainly asking about, Bilbo is casually mentioned as some kind of skilled burglar/thief. And the hobbit doesn't seem to object to this at all. The narr...

From chapter 9 of The Just Men of Cordova (1917) by Edgar Wallace: “A gentleman and a policeman?” asked the earl incredulously. Horace nodded. “A new profession for the younger son, eh?” remarked Lord Verlond sardonically. “No more running away and joining the army; no more serving before the ma...

I have read all the Sherlock Holmes stories and books and am now gasping for a good mystery book/story. I am not interested in a traditional whodunnit, but something with a strange/bizarre plot but one which should have a logical explanation. I am not interested in supernatural stories, but stori...

Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the King In deadly hate, the one against the other: And if King Edward be as true and just As I am subtle, false and treacherous, This day should Clarence closely be mew’d up, About ...