Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, December 28, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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blowhard
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Informal Uses of EllipsesWhile shortening quoted material is the "official" use of the ellipsis, it is used differently (and perhaps more commonly) in informal or creative writing. What are some informal uses of the ellipsis? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 WinklepickersA staple of rock-and-roll fashion in Britain from the 1950s onward, winklepicker shoes and boots are noted for their extremely pointed toes. They were originally worn by both male and female rock-and-roll fans, and later became popular with the mod and punk subcultures as well. Their association with the music scene continues to this day, as they are worn by members of bands such as Kings of Leon and The Horrors. From what kitchen utensil did winklepickers derive their unusual name? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Westminster Abbey Is Consecrated (1065)The first church built on the site of what is now Westminster Abbey is believed to date from the early 7th century. Around 1050, King Edward the Confessor began rebuilding it. A week after the consecration of the new church, he died. William the Conqueror then launched the Norman invasion and, a year later, was crowned at Westminster Abbey—which would later house Edward's shrine. Nearly every British sovereign since then has been crowned in the abbey. What do they sit on during the coronation? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Dhirubhai Ambani (1932)Ambani was born in rural Gujarat, India, to a family of modest means. As a youth, he worked in Yemen, then returned to India to found Reliance Industries. Originally an importer of synthetics, Ambani went into textile production, establishing his Vimal brand as a household name in India. As the company diversified into chemicals and power, he became a billionaire. At his death, his sons inherited one of the largest companies in India—but squabbled over ownership. How was the conflict resolved? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 To note an artist's limitations is but to define his talent. A reporter can write equally well about everything that is presented to his view, but a creative writer can do his best only with what lies within the range and character of his deepest sympathies.Willa Cather (1873-1947) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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six in one, (and) half a dozen in the other— The difference between these two options is negligible, irrelevant, or unimportant; either option is fine or will work as well as the other. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Feast of St. Gabriel (Ethiopia) (2020)St. Gabriel is one of the most popular Ethiopian Orthodox saints and is believed to intercede on behalf of those who pray to him more than other saints. Thousands of Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Greeks, Armenians, and tribal people make a pilgrimage on his feast day to Kullubi, Ethiopia. Many carry boulders on their backs in a show of piety, and women often carry babies named after the saint to the local church's baptismal font, as St. Gabriel has a reputation for granting the requests of women who wish to become pregnant. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: pardouble eagle - Three strokes under par on a single golf hole. Also called an albatross. More... par - Latin, literally "equal, equality." More... double bogey - Two strokes over par. More... birdie - The golf term birdie is a diminutive of bird, "first-rate thing," as it is one stroke under par for a hole. More... | |
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