Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, May 17, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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clamorous
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Coordinate AdjectivesWhen multiple adjectives are used in a sentence, they are sometimes separated by commas. What are "coordinate adjectives," and why are they separated by commas? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Arnolfini PortraitThe Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck is considered one of the most original and complex paintings in Western art history. It depicts a wealthy merchant, long thought to be Giovanni Arnolfini, and his wife. The incredible detail, realism, and use of light make this work remarkable, but it also stands out for the debate that it has inspired over the symbolism of certain elements, including the one lit candle in the chandelier, van Eyck's unusually placed signature, and what else? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The First Kentucky Derby (1875)The Kentucky Derby is a classic US thoroughbred horse race. Established in 1875, it is run annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Kentucky. The field is limited to three-year-old Thoroughbreds, and the track distance is 1.25 mi (2,000 m). With the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, it makes up US racing's coveted Triple Crown. In front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 people, the inaugural derby was won by jockey Oliver Lewis riding a colt named what? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Bartholomew Roberts (1682)Now infamous as "Black Bart," Roberts was a Welsh pirate who raided ships off the coasts of the Americas and West Africa in the 18th century, during the period known as the "Golden Age of Piracy." Considered the most successful pirate of the era, he is estimated to have captured more than 400 vessels in a matter of a few years—far more than some of the best-known pirates of his day, such as Blackbeard or Captain Kidd. Roberts is one of the pirate captains mentioned in what famous pirate story? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Be generous, be delicate, and always pursue the prize.Henry James (1843-1916) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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have a yen for (something)— To have a very strong and persistent desire or craving for something. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Norway Constitution Day (Syttende Mai) (2024)May 17, 1814, marks both Norway's declaration of independence from Sweden and the day on which its constitution was signed. This day remains the great spring festival in Norway, and today it is celebrated primarily by young people. The children's procession in Oslo, the capital city, is the largest of many school parades throughout the country. Marching behind their school bands and banners, the children pass under the balcony of the Royal Palace in salute to the king. Everyone joins in the procession, waving Norwegian flags. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: idlenesshonky-tonk - May come from the New England dialect word honk, "to idle about," and is a rhyming duplication. More... libberwort - Food or drink that makes one idle and stupid, food of no nutritional value, i.e. junk food. More... ignavia, ignavy - Idleness or sloth can be described as ignavia or ignavy. More... | |