Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, February 20, 2021)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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cornucopia
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Negative Declarative SentencesNot all declarative sentences are straightforward statements of positive fact—there are a few variations that express slightly different information, while still remaining declarative in nature. In negative declarative sentences (or simply "negative sentences"), what two words can be used to make information negative? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Potato CannonsAlso known as spud guns, potato cannons are inexpensive and often homemade devices that use air pressure or combustion to launch potatoes—or other projectiles—at high speed. Typically built and used by hobbyists, potato cannons are usually made of plastic piping, which is readily available at hardware stores. They are inherently dangerous but are generally not illegal. Similar devices include hail cannons, bird-scarers, and chicken cannons, which are used for what specific, practical purposes? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Barber of Seville's Disastrous Debut (1816)In 1816, Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini produced The Barber of Seville, based on the comedy by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais. Though Rossini created much of the opera's music in just weeks, it resounds with his brilliant arias, ensemble numbers, and famous crescendos. Still, several on-stage accidents and constant jeers from the audience, likely spurred by supporters of one of Rossini's rivals, made its debut in Rome a disaster. What happened during the second performance? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Kurt Cobain (1967)Cobain formed the rock trio Nirvana in his hometown of Aberdeen, Washington, in 1986. The group's second album, Nevermind, featured the iconic hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and was the first punk-oriented album to achieve popularity with a mainstream audience. However, Cobain railed against his fame in Nirvana's next album, In Utero. Known for his self-destructive behavior and heroin use, he committed suicide in 1994. What tribute to Cobain is featured on a sign in his hometown? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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I suppose (so)— An expression of vague affirmation or assent. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Black History Month (2024)Black History Month grew out of Negro History Week, which was established in February 1926 by African-American historian Carter G. Woodson, who founded the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. Initially designed to encompass the birthday of the abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass on February 14 as well as Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, it was expanded in 1976 to a month-long observance. The event is widely observed by schools, churches, libraries, clubs, and organizations wishing to draw attention to the contributions of African Americans. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: lapis lazuliazure stone - Another name for the lapis lazuli. More... lapis lazuli - A sky-blue semiprecious stone, it is pronounced lap-us-LAY-zuh-lee. More... sapphire - From Greek sappheiros, "lapis lazuli" or "blue stone." More... ultramarine - First a blue pigment made from lapis lazuli, imported from Asia by sea, so, in Latin, it was ultramarinus, "beyond the seas." More... | |