Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, September 1, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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uncongenial
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Subordinating ConjunctionsSubordinating conjunctions are used to create complex sentences containing one independent clause, or main clause, and one dependent, or subordinate, clause. What two things does a subordinating conjunction do in a sentence? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Fairy RingsAlso known as pixie rings, fairy circles, and elf circles, fairy rings are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms found in forested areas or grasslands. The rings are formed when a spore grows underground and pushes out mycelia—fungal threads—in all directions, eventually producing a ring of mushrooms or a dark circle of grass. In English folklore, fairy rings were said to be caused by elves, fairies, or pixies dancing in a circle. What are some superstitions about fairy rings? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Great Hinckley Fire (1894)A months-long drought, elevated summer temperatures, and certain logging practices set the stage for what would become one of the deadliest fires in Minnesota's history. On September 1, 1894, several small fires in the forests of Pine County merged and grew into a firestorm that completely consumed six towns, including Hinckley, Mission Creek, and Brook Park, within hours. At least 418, and as many as 800, people were killed in the inferno. How did some residents manage to escape? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Engelbert Humperdinck (1854)Perhaps best known for his name, Humperdinck was a German composer considered by some to be Richard Wagner's chosen successor. Though he produced his first composition at age seven, Humperdinck's parents urged him to study architecture. Instead, he began working with Wagner and winning awards for his compositions. Humperdinck's most famous work is his first opera, Hänsel und Gretel, popular for its fairy-tale subject and folk-inspired music. For whom did he compose its first four songs? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 All truly great art is optimistic. The individual artist is happy in his creative work. The fact that practically all great art is tragic does not in any way change the above thesis.Upton Sinclair (1878-1968) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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make heavy going of (something)— To make something harder or more laborious to do, especially more than is usual or necessary. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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.svg.png) Eritrean Start of the Armed Struggle Day (2021)Between 1961 and 1991, the small country of Eritrea in eastern Africa waged a war of independence against Ethiopia. An important holiday that recognizes Eritrean sacrifices during this prolonged campaign is the Start of the Armed Struggle Day, also known as Bahti Meskerem, commemorating the first shot fired in 1961 at Mount Adal. The day's festivities take place in the country and in Eritrean communities throughout the world. Observances typically include a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs, the singing of the Eritrean national anthem, and public statements by dignitaries. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: pourdiffuse - Based on Latin diffundere, "pour out," from fundere, "pour," it means "to spread out." More... geyser - From Icelandic Geysir, "hot spring," from Old Norse geysa, "pour or rush forth." More... refund - First meant "pour back," and comes from Latin re- and fundere. More... gluck, glug - Gluck or glug is the light repetitive gurgling sound of liquid being poured from a bottle. More... | |