Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, February 20, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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pooh-pooh
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Compound and Simple PredicatesThe subject of a clause or sentence must always be performing at least one action, but there are many instances in which it performs more than one action. In such a case, in which the subject is related to two or more finite verbs, the sentence is said to have a "compound predicate." What is a "simple predicate"? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Invention of the Potter's WheelIt is not known when the potter's wheel first came into use, but experts suggest it was developed between about 6,000 BCE and 2,400 BCE. Many modern scholars suggest that it was first developed in Mesopotamia, although Egypt and China are also possible places of origin. The device enables potters to utilize the energy stored in the wheel and direct it specifically to the point of contact between the clay and hands. What term is used to refer to the forming of a vessel on a potter's wheel? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Parícutin Volcano Forms in Mexican Cornfield (1943)In one of the most spectacular eruptions of modern times, Parícutin burst forth from a cornfield in the Mexican state of Michoacán 1943 and grew on and off until 1952, when the eruptions finally ceased. During that time, it spewed forth over a billion tons of lava and buried the town of San Juan Parangaricutiro and the village of Parícutin, whence its name. Parícutin's formation gave scientists a rare opportunity to observe volcanic growth. When do experts expect Parícutin to next erupt? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Pierre Boulle (1912)At the start of WWII, engineer Pierre Boulle enlisted in the French Army. Later, while a secret agent for the Free French, he was captured and imprisoned in a labor camp, an experience that inspired him to write his acclaimed work of historical fiction The Bridge over the River Kwai. Its 1957 film adaptation won seven Oscars, including one for screenplay that was awarded to Boulle since the actual writers had been blacklisted as communist sympathizers. What other famous novel did he pen? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Long ago, before I had ever seen a diamond, I read about them and I tried to imagine what they would be like ... When I saw a real diamond in a lady's ring one day I was so disappointed I cried. Of course, it was very lovely but it wasn't my idea of a diamond.Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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put (one's) hands together (for someone or something)— To applaud (someone or something); to clap. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Black History Month (2022)Black History Month grew out of Negro History Week, which was established in February 1926 by African-American historian Carter G. Woodson, who founded the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. Initially designed to encompass the birthday of the abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass on February 14 as well as Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, it was expanded in 1976 to a month-long observance. The event is widely observed by schools, churches, libraries, clubs, and organizations wishing to draw attention to the contributions of African Americans. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: strangerextranean - An outsider or stranger, a person not belonging to a household. More... barbarian - Based on Greek barbaros, "stranger" or "enemy." More... stranger - Originally a foreigner, from Old French estrangier, from Latin extraneus, "person outside." More... pilgrim - Its basic meaning was "traveler, homeless wanderer," from Latin peregrinum, "foreigner, stranger." More... | |