Daily Content Archive

(as of Friday, August 24, 2018)
Word of the Day

self-abasement

Definition:(noun) Degradation or humiliation of oneself, especially because of feelings of guilt or inferiority.
Synonyms:self-mortification, penance
Usage: "Let them break my heart if they like," she had thought to herself, in the self-abasement of that bitter moment; "it will be no more than I have deserved."
Daily Grammar Lesson

Modal Auxiliary Verbs - Might

The modal verb "might" is most often used to express an unlikely or uncertain possibility. How is "might" used in reported speech? More...
Article of the Day

The History of Kleenex

Since 1924, "Kleenex" has been the trademarked brand name of facial tissues manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. The global popularity of the product, originally marketed to the public as a cold cream remover and later, in the 1930s, as a disposable handkerchief, has led consumers to use the Kleenex name when referring to any tissue, regardless of brand. In what country had another form of tissue been used for centuries before Kleenex appeared? More...
This Day in History

Pete Rose Is Banned from Baseball (1989)

During his 24-year baseball career, Rose played in more games and got more hits than any player in history. Even so, the onetime Most Valuable Player could not avoid a lifetime ban from the sport after being accused of betting on baseball games—including those of his own team. In return for not having the charges formally proven, Rose accepted the banishment, which rendered him ineligible for induction into baseball's Hall of Fame. However, he later spent five months in federal prison—for what? More...
Today's Birthday

Jorge Luis Borges (1899)

Borges was an Argentine poet, essayist, and short-story writer. Much of his work is rich in fantasy and metaphorical allegory, including the story collection Ficciones, which won him an international following. In the 1920s, Borges was afflicted by a worsening hereditary blindness and was totally blind by the mid-1950s. Forced to abandon the writing of long texts, he began dictating his works. What literary movement is Borges credited with establishing in South America? More...
Quotation of the Day
There's enough sorrow in the world, isn't there, without trying to invent it.

E. M. Forster (1879-1970)

Idiom of the Day

find (something) out the hard way

To learn or discover something through personal experience, especially that which is difficult, painful, or unpleasant. Can also be phrased as "find out about something the hard way." More...
Today's Holiday

St. Bartholomew's Day (2023)

St. Bartholomew is the patron saint of beekeepers and honey-makers, and for this reason it was traditional in England for the honey crop to be gathered on August 24. Since the main ingredient in mead—an ancient alcoholic drink that is still made in some parts of England today—is honey, the Blessing of the Mead is also observed on St. Bartholomew's Day. More...
Word Trivia

Today's topic: leftovers

pick-up, pick-up dinner - A pick-up or pick-up dinner is one made up of leftovers. More...

ort, orts - An ort is a morsel or remaining scrap; orts is another name for leftovers. More...

leftover, relic, relief - Before leftovers were called leftovers, they were called relics, and, before that, relief. More...

gallimaufry - A medley or confused jumble, especially a dish made of leftovers, from French gallimaufry, "ragout, hash." More...

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