Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, January 7, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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prehensile
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Subjunctive MoodThe subjunctive mood refers to verbs that are used to describe hypothetical or non-real actions, events, or situations. What is the subjective mood most commonly used to express? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Jersey Shore Shark Attacks of 1916In the summer of 1916, thousands flocked to the New Jersey shore to seek relief from the polio epidemic and severe heat wave plaguing the northeastern US. As WWI raged in Europe, the vacationers watched for German U-boats that were reportedly maneuvering off the coast, but they were unaware of a different danger lurking beneath the water's surface—sharks. Between July 1 and July 12, sharks attacked 5 people along the Jersey coast, killing 4. What are some theories about why the attacks occurred? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Boris Godunov Becomes Czar of Russia (1598)A favorite of Ivan the Terrible, Godunov helped organize Ivan's administrative system. After Ivan's death, Boris became virtual ruler of Russia, ostensibly as regent for Ivan's son Feodor I, who was married to Boris's sister. Boris was widely believed to have ordered the murder of Feodor's younger brother and heir, Dmitri, to secure succession for himself. Upon Feodor's death, a ruling class assembly chose Boris as czar. The end of his reign ushered in the Time of Troubles, which was what? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Saint Marie-Bernarde Soubirous (1844)Soubirous was a French peasant girl who claimed to see the Virgin Mary in apparitions at a grotto near Lourdes, her home, in 1858. The authorities, skeptical of her visions, subjected her to severe examinations. After years of scrutiny, she was allowed to enter the convent of Notre-Dame de Nevers, where she remained in seclusion until her death at 35. The grotto at Lourdes is now a pilgrimage site, and its waters are reputed to have healing powers. How many pilgrims visit Lourdes each year? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 See them clamber, these nimble apes! ... Towards the throne they all strive: it is their madness—as if happiness sat on the throne! Ofttimes sitteth filth on the throne—and ofttimes also the throne on filth.Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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throw (some) shapes— slang To dance, especially to popular music. Primarily heard in UK. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Ganna (2019)The Christmas celebration in Ethiopia (observing the Coptic Orthodox calendar), which is officially called Leddat, is more popularly known as Ganna, after the game that is traditionally played on this day by boys, young men, and occasionally elders. According to legend, the shepherds were so happy when they heard about the birth of Jesus that they used their hooked staffs to play ganna—a game similar to field hockey. Pilgrims gather in the spectacular medieval churches in Lalibela for services, music, and food. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: leftoverspick-up, pick-up dinner - A pick-up or pick-up dinner is one made up of leftovers. More... ort, orts - An ort is a morsel or remaining scrap; orts is another name for leftovers. More... leftover, relic, relief - Before leftovers were called leftovers, they were called relics, and, before that, relief. More... gallimaufry - A medley or confused jumble, especially a dish made of leftovers, from French gallimaufry, "ragout, hash." More... | |