Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, October 13, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Distinguishing between Intensive and Reflexive PronounsAlthough intensive and reflexive pronouns are identical in appearance, there is a clear distinction between them. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject of a sentence also receives the action of the sentence. When are intensive pronouns used? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 NymphsNymphs are the minor female deities of Greek mythology that act as guardians of nature. Represented as beautiful maidens, they are distinguished from one another by the aspect of nature—tree, body of water, mountain—or locality with which they are associated. Though generally described as young, beautiful, amorous, and gentle, some nymphs are associated with the wilder aspects of nature and some may be vengeful. Nymphs are also depicted as being in the retinue of which gods? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Cornerstone of the White House Is Laid in Washington, DC (1792)Originally called the "President's Palace," the official residence of the president of the United States was designed by Irish-American architect James Hoban with guidance from President George Washington, whose term ended before he was able to move in. Some slaves took part in the construction, which lasted eight years. Today, the White House is the oldest public building in Washington. Very little of the original structure survived an 1814 fire, set by British troops in retaliation for what? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Rudolf Ludwig Karl Virchow (1821)A German pathologist, anthropologist, and statesman, Virchow contributed to nearly every branch of medical science, was a member of the Prussian lower house and later the Reichstag, and was a leader of the liberal party opposed to Bismarck. He coined the terms "thrombosis" and "embolism" and supported emerging ideas on cell division and metabolism. His many contributions earned him the appellation "Father of Modern Pathology." What was the "Sausage Duel," and how was Virchow involved in it? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 So much has been said and sung of beautiful young girls, why don't somebody wake up to the beauty of old women?Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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set (someone) by the ears— To cause (someone, generally a group of two or more people) to engage in a squabble, dispute, or altercation. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Festivals Acadiens (2019)Festivals Acadiens is a combination of several festivals (food, music, crafts, and more) to celebrate Cajun culture in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Bayou Food Festival offers a range of Cajun cooking from crawfish gumbo to alligator sausage to corn maque-chou. The Louisiana Crafts Festival features handmade Cajun crafts and demonstrations by blacksmiths, decoy carvers, alligator skinners, and storytellers. The Festival de Musique Acadienne features centuries-old music sung in French. Lectures and workshops on the Acadian language and history are also part of the weekend. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: smilesmilet - A little smile. More... mandarin crease, risorius of Santorini - Below each side of the mouth is the mandarin crease; the muscle that pulls the corners up to smile is the risorius of Santorini. More... miracle - From Latin miraculum, "object of wonder"; its ultimate root meant "to smile upon." More... gelasin - The dimples that appear when you smile are gelasins. More... | |