Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, January 6, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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rebuff
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Defining the EllipsisAn ellipsis is a series of three consecutive periods known as "ellipsis points" ( . . . ). What is the ellipsis used to indicate? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Brood ParasitesBrood parasites are organisms—usually birds—that manipulate a host, either of the same or a different species, into raising their young. The parasitic parent avoids the effort of rearing young by abandoning its eggs in the nest of a host bird. After hatching, the parasitic nestlings may kill or crowd out the host’s own offspring. The host will often continue to feed and care for the invasive chicks even when they do not resemble its young and may physically dwarf the host itself. Why? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 US President-Elect Survives Train Wreck, Loses Son (1853)Just months before he was inaugurated as the 14th US president, Franklin Pierce, his wife, and his 11-year-old son were in a terrible train wreck in which their car derailed and rolled down an embankment. Pierce and his wife survived but saw their son crushed to death. He was their third child, and the only one to have lived past early childhood. The suddenly childless parents were devastated, and Pierce entered the presidency in mourning. To what did Pierce's wife attribute the train accident? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sarah Trimmer (1741)Trimmer was a British writer and critic of children's literature. Books written specifically for children had only become popular around 1730, and Trimmer helped to define the genre through her periodical The Guardian of Education. Her interest in education came from teaching her 12 children. Devoutly religious, she wrote her own scripture lessons, condemned fairy tales, and supported Sunday schools. What famous children's author might have been influenced by Trimmer's work? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 To those who view the voyage of life from the port of departure the bark that has accomplished any considerable distance appears already in close approach to the farther shore.Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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odds and sods— An assortment of small, miscellaneous items, especially those that are not especially important or valuable. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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Jan2007.jpg) Haxey Hood Game (2022)This tradition in Haxey, Lincolnshire, England, can be traced back more than 600 years, when Lady Mowbray, whose husband owned a large portion of Haxey, lost her hood to a gust of wind and 13 local men struggled gallantly to retrieve it. The game known as Throwing the Hood, which takes place on January 6 each year, involves a Lord (who acts as umpire), 13 Plough-Boggins, a Fool, and as many others as care to participate. The participants wrestle over a piece of leather stuffed with straw, coins, and other fillings. The winners carry it back to the village pub, where a victory celebration takes place. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: wanderingevagation - Means mental wandering or digression, also a digression in speech or writing. More... mundivagant - Means "wandering around the world." More... vagation - The action of wandering, straying, or departing from the proper or regular course. More... wanderjahr - Literally German for "wander year," it refers to a year of wandering or travel. More... | |