Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, April 18, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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judder
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Defining the Past Simple TenseThe past simple tense (also called the "simple past tense," or simply the "past simple") is used to express completed actions. We often use the past simple with an adverb or adverbial phrase that specifies what? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Catch-22Catch-22 is a term coined by Joseph Heller in his novel of the same name to describe a situation in which a desired outcome is impossible to attain. Heller's prototypical Catch-22 concerns the sanity of military pilots. Basically, since combat missions are so dangerous, those who fly them must be insane and should be grounded. Asking to be grounded, however, shows concern for one's own wellbeing and demonstrates a pilot's sanity. He must therefore continue to fly. What are other examples? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Construction of St. Peter's Basilica Begins (1506)With a capacity of over 60,000 people, St. Peter's Basilica is the one of the world's largest churches as well as one of the world's holiest Catholic sites. Begun by Pope Julius II in 1506 and completed more than a century later, it was built to replace Old St. Peter's, erected by Constantine over Peter's traditional burial site. Michelangelo and Bernini were among its many architects, and a number of their masterpieces adorn its interior. Why is St. Peter's not considered a cathedral? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 James McCune Smith (1813)Smith was the first African American to obtain a medical degree and operate a pharmacy in the US. Denied admission to American colleges due to racial discrimination, he studied in Scotland, obtaining a series of degrees. After returning to New York, he became the first professionally trained black physician in the country. He wrote forcefully against common misconceptions and false notions about race, science, and medicine and once used statistics to refute what argument about slaves? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 The years teach much which the days never know.Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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in hospital— Receiving medical or surgical treatment, care, or attention at a hospital. Primarily heard in UK. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Zimbabwe Independence Day (2024)Like much of Africa, the area that is now Zimbabwe was long controlled by Europeans. In 1922, the 34,000 European settlers chose to become a self-governing British colony, Southern Rhodesia. In 1923, Southern Rhodesia was annexed by the British Crown. A fight for independence took place in the 1970s. An independent constitution was written for Zimbabwe in London in 1979, and independence followed on April 18, 1980. Independence Day is celebrated in every city and district of the nation with political rallies, parades, traditional dances, singing, and fireworks. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: stimulateaperitif, appetizer - An aperitif is a drink to stimulate the appetite and an appetizer is a food that does this before a meal. More... condiment - From Latin condimentum, from condire, "to pickle, preserve"; condiments are food substances used to heighten the natural flavor of foods, to stimulate the appetite, to aid digestion, or preserve certain foods. More... innervate, enervate - Innervate means "to stimulate or give nervous energy," the opposite of enervate. More... stimulate - From Latin stimulus, "pointed stick for goading animals." More... | |