Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, January 27, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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pertinacious
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Superlative Adverbs from One-Syllable AdverbsSuperlative adverbs are used to describe differences among three or more people or things. In general, when the adverb has only one syllable, what do we do to it to form the superlative? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Language of the BirdsIn mythology, medieval literature, and occultism, the language of the birds is often considered a divine or magical language used by birds to communicate with the initiated. A wide variety of historical references to the language of birds exists: Solomon's wisdom is attributed to it, and Aesop, the legendary Greek fabulist, is said to have understood it. In Norse mythology, ravens keep the god Odin apprised of events on Earth. What beast’s blood is said to confer the ability to understand birds? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Song Dynasty General Yue Fei Is Executed (1142)One of China's greatest generals and patriotic heroes, Yue helped establish a southern foothold for the Song dynasty while preventing the advance of the Juchen, who had taken the former Song capital in the north. However, his attempt to recapture the lost territory was opposed by one of the emperor's counselors, who earned a reputation as a traitor for relinquishing the north to the Juchen and having Yue executed. According to legend, what phrase did Yue's mother tattoo across his back? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Lewis Carroll (1832)Carroll was the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, English author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel, Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There. Carroll developed the stories from tales he told to the children of H. G. Liddell, the dean of Christ Church College at Oxford, one of whom was named Alice. Many of his characters—the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, and the White Rabbit—have become familiar figures in literature. What else did Carroll write? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Pathos, piety, courage,—they exist, but are identical, and so is filth. Everything exists, nothing has value.E. M. Forster (1879-1970) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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the half of it— A portion of something, typically implied to be the most important or significant part. (Often used in the negative.) More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Mozart Week (Mozartwoche) (2024)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756. Every January since 1956, his birthday has been celebrated by the people of Salzburg, Austria, where he was born, with a music festival devoted entirely to his works. The festival also prides itself on presenting many of his lesser known works, which are seldom performed elsewhere. Concerts are given in a number of sites associated with Mozart's life, including the Mozarteum Building, St. Peter's Church, the Salzburg Cathedral, and even Mozart's home. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: techniquetraffic-calming device - Any device (e.g. a speed bump) or technique on or next to a road that is used to slow or restrict traffic, especially in residential areas. More... appliance - First was the use or application of a technique, putting a technique into practice. More... expression marks - The collective term for musical directives, including tempo, volume, technique, phrasing, and mood. More... martial art - So named for Japanese bu-jutsu (bu + jutsu), "art, technique, skill, craft." More... | |