Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, May 6, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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witticism
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Modal Auxiliary Verbs - MightThe modal verb "might" is most often used to express an unlikely or uncertain possibility. How is "might" used in reported speech? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 AeolipileInvented in the first century by Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria, the Hero engine, or aeolipile, is a steam-powered device that illustrates the reactive forces of a gas jet. It usually consists of a mounted spherical vessel equipped with angled nozzles that release steam in opposite directions, causing rotational movement. The world's first steam engine, Hero’s aeolipile was a forerunner of the modern jet engine. Its name derives from a term meaning "ball of Aeolus." Who was Aeolus? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Louis XIV of France Moves His Court to Versailles (1682)During his reign, King Louis XIV moved his court and government offices to Versailles. The palace is one of the largest and most lavish ever built. At a time when mirrors were some of the priciest luxury items to acquire, Louis installed an entire hall of them. The grounds feature fountains, reservoirs, sculptures, temples, grottoes, and even two smaller palaces. Louis's motive for the move is thought to have been a desire to more closely monitor the nobility. Why did he feel this was necessary? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Moshe Feldenkrais (1904)Feldenkrais was a Russian-born Israeli physicist and engineer who was also an avid soccer player and a judo master. Motivated by a debilitating knee injury of his own, Feldenkrais developed a system to improve body movement and function and reduce pain by increasing self-awareness and re-educating the neuromuscular system. Since its introduction in the 1950s, the Feldenkrais method has gradually gained acceptance. Which statesman did Feldenkrais allegedly teach to stand on his head? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Not every child has an equal talent or an equal ability or equal motivation, but they should have the equal right to develop their talent and their ability and their motivation, to make something of themselves.John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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give (someone) the stink eye— To make a facial expression of unreserved disgust, contempt, disapproval, distrust, or general ill will toward someone. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Lebanon Martyrs' Day (2022)Martyrs' Day has been observed as a public holiday since 1970 to honor the fallen heroes of Arab nationalism. The date, May 6, was selected to commemorate the 21 Arab intellectuals who were hanged on that date in 1916 in Beirut, Lebanon, and Damascus, Syria, by an official of the occupying Ottoman Empire. On Martyrs' Day, ceremonies of public commemoration are led by government officials in Beirut at Martyrs' Square, named in honor of the murdered nationalists. Officials and citizens also lay wreaths at martyrs' monuments in Beirut and throughout the country. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: headachecephalgia, encephalalgia - Cephalgia and encephalalgia are medical terms for a headache. More... megrim - Another word for a headache, especially a migraine. More... shivaree - A mock serenade, it originally meant "headache" in its Latin form. More... neurasthenia - A disorder characterized by loss of energy, lack of motivation, and feelings of inadequacy, along with vague physical symptoms such as headache or muscle pain. More... | |