Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, December 17, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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saltation
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Using Exclamation Points with OnomatopoeiasWhen we use onomatopoeias (words that phonetically imitate particular sounds), we can use an exclamation point to emphasize the intensity of the sound. Where is the exclamation point placed in the sentence? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Sydney Opera HouseDistinguished by its roof of white concrete "shells," Australia's Sydney Opera House is one of the world's most distinctive and famous 20th-century buildings. Danish architect Jørn Utzon's design, which was among the first to use computers for structural analysis, was chosen in 1957 from among 233 competition entries from 32 countries. The Opera House was formally completed in 1973 at a cost of $102 million—10 years late and $95 million over budget. Why did Utzon resign from the project in 1966? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Wright Brothers Make Their Famous Flight (1903)Both excellent mechanics, brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright built and repaired bicycles before turning their attention to flying machines. They spent years designing and testing gliders and also built a powerful four-cylinder engine and an efficient propeller. In 1903, after several failed attempts, the brothers succeeded in making the first controlled, sustained flights in a power-driven airplane. How long did the first, history-making flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, last? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sir Humphry Davy (1778)Davy was an English chemist and one of the greatest exponents of the scientific method. His discovery of the anesthetic effect of nitrous oxide was a major contribution to surgery. He did early research on voltaic cells and batteries, tanning, electrolysis, and mineral analysis, and was the first to systematically apply chemical principles to farming. His research on mine explosions and his invention of the safety lamp brought him great prestige. Davy also proved that diamond is a form of what? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Charm and nothing but charm at last grows a little tiresome...It's a relief then to deal with a man who isn't quite so delightful but a little more sincere.W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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be potty about (something)— To be very excited or enthusiastic (about something). Primarily heard in UK. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Saturnalia (2019)This Ancient Roman Winter Solstice festival began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. It was held in honor of Saturn, the father of the gods, and was characterized by the suspension of discipline and reversal of the usual order. Grudges and quarrels were forgotten; businesses, courts, and schools closed down; and masquerading or change of dress between the sexes often occurred. The festivities were characterized by various kinds of excesses—giving rise to the modern use of the term saturnalian, meaning "a period of unrestrained license and revelry." More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: projectingledgit - A label or memo slip projecting from a book's pages. More... broach - Comes from Latin brocchus/broccus, "projecting." More... eminent - Can mean "projecting, protruding" and is based on Latin eminere, "project." More... eaves - Its etymological meaning is "going over the edge, projecting." More... | |