Geologic era called Recent
editThere's a geologic epoch called Recent (synonym: Holocene). A dozen or so taxoboxes (for example Opisthokont) link to it. A slightly larger number of pages link to Holocene directly, but I didn't see any from taxoboxes (in the usage of "jurassic to recent" and the like).
Of course, recent means other things in other contexts, but I'm not sure any have any precise encyclopedic meaning. If they are, then Recent could be a disambiguation page.
- As this paleontological usage is such an unusual use of the term, it seems appropriate to make this a disambiguation page between the dictionary definition and "Holocene". This goes against guidelines, but it would appear a valid case where WP:IAR leads to a more useful result. Most people who type "recent" into Wikipedia will not expect to be pointed to a geological epoch. In principle the disambiguation page could be expanded to cover other geological and astronomical uses, but this seems artificial, and like an alternative dictionary definition anyway. The OED has two relevant definitions: "Palaeontol. and Geol. Extant; not fossil; belonging to or represented in the present geological period or epoch. Now disused." , and "Geol. Usu. in form Recent. Designating the geological epoch that continues to the present, ... begun about 11,500 years ago; belonging to or characteristic of this epoch; = Holocene adj.Holocene is now the preferred term." Pol098 (talk) 11:06, 20 November 2015 (UTC)
"Recent" is a common word that most English speakers are familiar with, and is not generally encyclopedic. Since the only encyclopedic use of the term "recent" is the geological age, I am boldly making this a redirect to Holocene. If editors insist on linking the word "recent" in other contexts, they should just link to Wiktionary.