Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, May 3, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Personal Pronouns and InflectionPersonal pronouns have specific inflections (different forms of the word) depending on whether they are singular or plural. For the most part, only the first-person and third-person personal pronouns have plural forms. What is the only plural second-person pronoun? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Touch PiecesTouch pieces are coins and medals—especially those with special designs or features—whose superstitious owners believe the items have supernatural powers. Thought to be imbued with the power to cure disease, bring good luck, influence behavior, or carry out a specific action if touched or held close, many touch pieces have been treasured by families for generations. The Lee Penny, taken from the Holy Land during a crusade, is still owned by the crusader's family. What power is it said to have? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Nellie Tayloe Ross Becomes First Woman to Head US Mint (1933)In 1925, following the death of her governor husband, Ross was elected to serve out the remainder of his term, becoming the US's first female governor. She remained politically active after her gubernatorial term and was appointed director of the US Bureau of the Mint in 1933—becoming the first woman to hold that office as well. In her 20 years as director, she saw the Mint through the economic throes of the Great Depression and through WWII. What did Ross do before becoming governor? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 James Brown, the Godfather of Soul (1933)One of the original inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century, "Godfather of Soul" James Brown evolved a highly personal style that combined gospel and blues elements with a spectacular stage presence. During his five-decade career, "the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business" had numerous chart-topping singles and albums. What trademark feature of Brown's stage shows was inspired by professional wrestler Gorgeous George? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 A man that is born falls into a dream like a man who falls into the sea. If he tries to climb out into the air as inexperienced people endeavor to do, he drowns.Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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keep (one's) socks on— To remain patient and calm, especially when beginning to become angry or upset with impatience. Usually said as an imperative. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Constitution Memorial Day (Japan) (2024)Constitution Memorial Day, or Kempo Kinen-Bi, is observed as a national holiday on May 3 and commemorates the adoption of the democratic constitution in 1947. The holiday is part of Golden Week, which includes Children's Day (Kodomo-no-Hi) and Greenery Day. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: smokingstogie, stogy - A stogie (or stogy) is named for the Conestoga wagon—as drivers of the wagons rolled tobacco into thin ropes for smoking on long trips; stogies are now long, thin cigars. More... cigar - Comes from Spanish cigarro, from the Mayan verb sik'ar, "to smoke" or "smoking." More... dottle - Any tobacco left in a pipe after smoking. More... pipe dream - Originated with opium smoking. More... | |