Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, January 17, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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has-been
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Examples of PrepositionsPrepositions are used to express the relationship of a noun or pronoun (or another grammatical element functioning as a noun) to the rest of the sentence. The noun or pronoun that is connected by the preposition is known as the "object of the preposition." What are some common prepositions? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Border ReiversDuring the Middle Ages, England and Scotland were almost constantly at war. Born out of these conflicts were the border reivers, English and Scottish raiders loyal only to their families or clans. They raided both sides of the Anglo-Scottish border impartially, rustling cattle, stealing household goods, and taking prisoners for ransom. Considered the finest light cavalry in Europe, reivers sometimes hired themselves out as mercenaries or were forced into army service. What was a "Hot Trod"? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Great Brink's Robbery (1950)After months of planning a heist on Boston's Brink's building, a band of 11 robbers put the plan in motion on January 17, 1950. Seven men dressed like Brink's workers—but with masks and gloves—entered the building around 7 PM and left with $2.7 million about 30 minutes later. The robbers conspired not to touch the bulk of the money until the statute of limitations expired. It appeared to be the perfect crime, but the gang members were arrested in 1956. How did they get caught? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Benjamin Franklin (1706)Regarded as one of the most extraordinary public servants in American history, Franklin was also a printer, publisher, author, scientist, and inventor. After gaining popularity as the publisher of Poor Richard's Almanack, he promoted public services in Philadelphia, including a library and a fire department. In 1776, he went to France to seek aid for the American Revolution, and in 1787 he was instrumental in the adoption of the US Constitution. What musical instrument did he invent? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Opportunities flit by while we sit regretting the chances we have lost, and the happiness that comes to us we heed not, because of the happiness that is gone.Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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on the gravy train— In a state, position, or job where one makes an excessive amount of money without expending much or any effort. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Benjamin Franklin's Birthday (2022)Born in Boston on this day in 1706, Benjamin Franklin helped edit, and was a signer of, the Declaration of Independence. He also helped to frame the Constitution. When he died in 1790 in Philadelphia, he was given the most impressive funeral that city had ever seen: 20,000 people attended. In Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute Science Museum holds a two-day "birthday bash" that often involves people dressing as Franklin. The celebration takes place on the weekend preceding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is the Monday after January 15. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: runnerrunner - A blade of a skate or sled. The supports on which a drawer slides are also called runners. More... dromedary, Bactrian - A one-hump camel is a dromedary (from Latin, meaning "swift camel," from Greek dromas, "runner") and a two-hump camel is a Bactrian (from Bactria in Asia). More... cursor - First meant "runner" or "running messenger" and is now the moving/movable indicator on a computer screen. More... dromomania - A mania for roaming or running, from Latin dromas. More... | |