Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, August 5, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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fancier
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Constructing Phrasal VerbsPhrasal verbs are made up of a verb + a preposition or an adverbial particle, and their meaning is uniquely tied to each particular combination. What is a particle? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The CIAEstablished in 1947, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an independent executive bureau of the US government. Its primary function is obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and persons, and reporting such information to the various branches of government. Congress placed restraints on its activities in the early 1970s, when reports that it had engaged in assassinations and domestic spying surfaced. How was CIA involved in the Watergate scandal? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Battle of Dogger Bank (1781)The Battle of Dogger Bank was a naval battle that took place in the North Sea during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, which broke out over Dutch trade with Britain's enemies during the American Revolution. The battle is therefore considered part of the American War of Independence. The clash began after the British spotted and began to chase a Dutch merchant fleet being escorted by a convoy of warships. Both sides suffered significant casualties during the three-hour skirmish. Who emerged the victor? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Guy de Maupassant (1850)Maupassant was a 19th-century French writer considered one of the fathers of the modern short story. A protégé of Gustave Flaubert, Maupassant wrote with a simplicity, clarity, and objective calm that echoed the style of his mentor. He first gained attention with "Boule de Suif," or "Ball of Fat," and eventually published about 300 short stories, many of which are said to be unsurpassed in their genre. Why did Maupassant often dine at the restaurant at the base of the Eiffel Tower? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Books are good enough in their own way, but they are a mighty bloodless substitute for life.Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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cushy job— A job that is easy, stress free, and/or very well paid. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Icelandic Festival (2017)The Icelandic Festival, or Islendingadagurinn, held in Gimli, Manitoba, each year is one of the oldest ethnic festivals in Canada, dating back to 1890. The Icelandic settlers who emigrated to Canada wanted to do something to preserve their heritage and customs, and the current festival continues to reflect this interest in Icelandic culture. The events include choral singing and cultural and artistic displays. Participants dress in native Icelandic costumes and eat traditional foods such as smoked lamb and skyr, which is similar to yogurt. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: researchdisquisition - A diligent or systematic search, a thorough investigation or research. More... primary source - A direct source of information or research, a document not emended by a third party. More... secondary source - Information or research that is derivative, such as a comment by a historian, an encyclopedia article, or a critical essay. More... Rh factor - Named for the rhesus monkeys used in research to identify blood types. More... | |