Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, March 19, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Adverbs of Degree with Gradable vs. Non-Gradable AdjectivesGradable adjectives are those that can have measurable levels of degree or intensity. Non-gradable adjectives, on the other hand, describe an extreme or absolute state. How are they paired with gradable and non-gradable adverbs? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Bayeux TapestryThe Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth that chronicles the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Annotated in Latin, the 230-ft (70-m) long tapestry focuses on the Norman leader, William the Conqueror, and his victory over the English. It presents a singular visual document of medieval arms, apparel, and other objects from the period, however, its origins and depictions have been subject to much speculation. What are some of the mysteries associated with the tapestry? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, Murdered by His Own Men (1687)La Salle was a celebrated French explorer of North America. He began exploring the Great Lakes in 1679, setting up forts in the region and organizing a federation of native American tribes to fight the Iroquois. Given power to colonize the region between Lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico, he set sail in 1684 for the mouth of the Mississippi River, which he was ultimately unable to locate. Beset by losses of men and ships, La Salle was killed by mutineers after having mistakenly landed where? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sir Richard Frances Burton (1821)Burton lived a life of adventure and scandal as an explorer, translator, fencer, ethnologist, poet, and spy. He spoke at least 25 languages and put these skills to use translating works like the Arabian Nights and Kama Sutra into English. His linguistic skills also helped him pass himself off as a Muslim so that he could visit the forbidden holy cities of Mecca and Medina. After he died, his wife burned 40 years' worth of his diaries. What caused the distinctive scars on his face? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Be so true to thyself as thou be not false to others.Francis Bacon (1561-1626) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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I'd say— In my opinion; it is my estimation that. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 St. Joseph's Day (2024)In Valencia, Spain, the feast of the foster-father of Jesus is a week-long festival called Fallas de San Jose (Bonfires of St. Joseph). On St. Joseph's Eve, March 18, fallas (huge floats of intricate scenes made of wood and papier-mâché, satirizing everything from the high cost of living to political personalities) parade through the streets. At midnight on March 19, the celebration ends with the spectacular ceremony known as the crema, when all the fallas are set on fire. The festival is said to reflect the happy and satirical nature of the Valencians. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: noonhigh noon - Exactly 12 noon. More... luncheon - An extension of the word lunch, based on nuncheon, "a drink taken at noon." More... noon - Derived from the Latin word nona, "ninth," as it originally meant the ninth hour after sunrise, about 3 p.m. More... post meridiem - The expansion of p.m., from Latin, meaning "after noon" (1647). More... | |