I think my brain latches onto associations with 00s (2000s) and 90s (1990s) and that makes “the 1900s” a bit disorienting. On the other hand phrases like “the 1700s” are fine, so you not technically wrong in using the expression, it’s just… awkwardly associative.
I wonder if that reaction can be avoided by saying something like “all the 1900s”.
I think my brain latches onto associations with 00s (2000s) and 90s (1990s) and that makes “the 1900s” a bit disorienting. On the other hand phrases like “the 1700s” are fine, so you not technically wrong in using the expression, it’s just… awkwardly associative.