Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, August 5, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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unsnarl
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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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 PeyoteNative to the southwestern US, peyote is a spineless cactus whose active substance is mescaline, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic drug. Ritually ingested by indigenous people in Mexico and the US to produce visions, the plant is chewed, brewed for drinking, or rolled into pellets to be swallowed. Apart from its use by Native Americans in religious ceremonies, peyote is illegal in all 50 US states. Based on archaeological specimens, how long has peyote been used by Native Americans? 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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 We must have felt what it is to die ... that we may appreciate the enjoyments of living.Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) | |
| 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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 Natal Day in Nova Scotia (2019)Several of Canada's provinces observe a holiday on the first Monday in August. In Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, and throughout the province, this day is known as Natal Day in celebration of the municipality's birthday. In Halifax there is a concert and a fireworks show at Angus L. Macdonald Bridge in the harbor. Dartmouth, a neighbor city, has in past years hosted its own fireworks show at Lake Banook Cove. It also hosts the Dartmouth Natal Day Road Race, a running competition held since 1907. 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... | |