Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, July 25, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Collective AdjectivesCollective adjectives are nominal adjectives (adjectives that act as nouns) used to refer to a group of people based on a characteristic that they share. What are some common collective adjectives? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Greek FireProduced using a secret formula that remains a mystery to this day, Greek fire was a burning-liquid weapon used by the Byzantine Greeks, Arabs, Chinese, and Mongols. Early on, it took the form of a burning cloth ball fired with a catapult. Later advances produced a flamethrower-like device that discharged a stream of burning fluid which, according to many historical accounts, water could not extinguish. What are some of the ingredients thought to have been used in the production of Greek fire? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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01.jpg) Renowned Surgeon James Barry Dies, Revealing Lifelong Secret (1865)During the 19th century, Barry was a top British military surgeon who worked to improve conditions during the Crimean War. Known for a fiery temper, Barry famously argued with Florence Nightingale and fought in at least one duel. After Barry's death, a maid claimed that in the course of preparing the corpse for burial she had learned that Barry was actually a woman, but the British Army sealed all records on Barry for 100 years. What was revealed when the records were accessed in the 1950s? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Rosalind Franklin (1920)The double helix model of DNA formulated by James D. Watson and Francis Crick is considered one of the greatest scientific discoveries ever made. However, it would not have been possible without the work of Franklin, a British X-ray crystallographer. Without her knowledge, Maurice Wilkins, her close colleague at King's College, showed her research to Watson and Crick, who based their findings on her images. Why didn't Franklin share the 1962 Nobel Prize awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid.L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a losing game— A failing or hopeless effort; a situation or activity that is ultimately futile or cannot be won. (Most often used in the phrase "play a losing game.") More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Puerto Rico Constitution Day (2021)Puerto Rico Constitution Day is the anniversary of the day on which Puerto Rico changed from a territory to a commonwealth and adopted its new constitution in 1952. Sometimes referred to as Commonwealth Day, July 25 is a legal holiday throughout the island. It is celebrated with parades, speeches, fireworks, and parties. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: roastrule the roost - Was first "rule the roast," as it referred to the master of the house who sat at the head of the table. More... steak - Seems to be related to Old Norse steikja, "roast on a spit," and stikna, "be roasted." More... dry roast - To roast without oils. More... rotisserie - First meant a restaurant or shop specializing in roasted or barbecued meat. More... | |