Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, April 8, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Modal Auxiliary Verbs - MayThe modal verb "may" is used to ask, grant, or describe permission, and to politely offer to do something for someone, among other things. Why is "can't" more commonly used in questions than "may not"? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Dihydrogen Monoxide HoaxThe dihydrogen monoxide hoax utilizes an uncommon scientific name for molecules composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom to demonstrate how the lack of scientific literacy combined with an exaggerated analysis can lead to misplaced fears. The hoax points out that dihydrogen monoxide "is the major component of acid rain," "may cause severe burns," "contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape," and "accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals." What is dihydrogen monoxide? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Tennis Player Arthur Ashe Announces He Has AIDS (1992)Ashe was the first African-American male to reach prominence in tennis and was thus a very public figure, even after his retirement, which followed a 1979 heart attack and quadruple-bypass surgery. In 1983, he contracted HIV from a blood transfusion during a second heart surgery. He kept it a secret until 1992, when a newspaper threatened to publish a story about his illness. His subsequent openness about AIDS helped combat the disease's stigma. What did he say about asking "Why me?" More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sonja Henie (1912)Henie began ice skating at the age of eight and won the first of six straight Norwegian figure-skating championships within two years. Starting in 1927, she won the world's figure-skating crown 10 straight years, the European title six times, and the Olympic gold medal three times. She introduced music and dance into free skating, greatly broadening its appeal, and turned professional in 1936, earning millions starring in films and ice shows. Why did many Norwegians consider her a quisling? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Hitch your wagon to a star.Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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have it out (with someone)— To have an argument, verbal fight, or frank discussion (with someone), especially to settle something that has caused anger, frustration, or annoyance. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Moriones Festival (2020)Held on the island-province of Marinduque with participants wearing masks and costumes of Roman soldiers, Moriones tells the story of the legendary Roman soldier Longinus. As he pierced the side of the crucified Jesus, a drop of the blood cured his blindness. Many local men take part in the play, performing the roles of Roman soldiers. They wear large wooden masks covered with black beards and painted with enormous black eyes. The Roman soldiers lead Longinus to a scaffold, but he continues to declare his faith in Christ. The Moriones cut his head off and carry it through town. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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