Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, May 19, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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gambit
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Difference from Adverbial "There"Although the word "there" can be used as a dummy pronoun, it can also be used as an adverb; it is important to know the difference between the two. When "there" is being used as an adverb, what is its function in a sentence? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Etruscan MythologyEtruscan civilization reached its height in the 6th century BCE in what is now Italy, and much of its religion was later adopted by the Romans. Famous for divination, the Etruscans believed that the will of the gods was present in every aspect of nature and looked for divine signs everywhere, including in lightning, the livers of sacrificed animals, and the flight of birds. What example did the Roman philosopher Seneca use to illustrate the different religious approaches of Romans and Etruscans? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Marilyn Monroe Sings "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" (1962)In 1962, US President John F. Kennedy's birthday was celebrated with a lavish party at Madison Square Garden in New York City. During the event, Monroe took the stage and delivered a sultry version of "Happy Birthday," substituting "Mr. President" for Kennedy's name, a gesture that has served to fuel the persistent rumors that she and Kennedy had engaged in an affair. The performance was one of Monroe's last major public appearances. What did Kennedy say about the song during the party? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Johns Hopkins (1795)Hopkins, a US merchant and financier, worked with an uncle as a wholesale grocer before going into business with his brothers in 1819. As he continued to prosper, his interests diversified into banking, insurance companies, steamship lines, and railroads. In his will, he set aside $7 million—the largest philanthropic bequest in US history at the time—for the founding of a free hospital and university in Baltimore, Maryland. His will also called for the establishment of what other institution? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Bashfulness is an ornament to youth, but a reproach to old age.Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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have done with (someone or something)— To be finished with someone or something; to cease being involved with someone or something. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 St. Dunstan's Day (2024)St. Dunstan (c. 909-988) was the archbishop of Canterbury. According to legend, one day when Dunstan was working at the monastery forge, he looked up and saw the devil peering at him through the window. He quickly pulled the red-hot tongs from the coals and grabbed the devil's nose with them, refusing to let go until he promised not to tempt him any more. Howling in pain, Satan ran and dipped his nose in nearby Tunbridge Wells to cool it off, which is why the water there is sulphurous. St. Dunstan is the patron saint of blacksmiths, jewelers, and locksmiths. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: sacksachet - Etymologically, a "little sack"—a small packet of perfumed matter. More... cul-de-sac - Literally French for "bottom of a sack," it also means "situation from which there is no escape"; it can be pluralized as cul-de-sacs or culs-de-sac. More... gunny - From Sanskrit goni, "sack," it is the material used for sacks, made from jute or sunn-hemp. More... haversack, knapsack, rucksack - Haversack is from German Haber, "oats," and Sack, "bag, sack"; knapsack is from German knapper, "to bite (food)" and zak, "sack"; rucksack comes from German Rucken, "back," and sack. More... | |