Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, October 23, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Defining Irrealis MoodsThe term irrealis means "unreal," and it refers to grammatical moods that reflect what is not actually the case. What are the two irrealis moods in English? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Swing RiotsIn 1830, England was the site of a widespread uprising of impoverished and landless agricultural laborers who aimed to stop wage reductions and rid farms of threshing machines, which minimized the need for manual labor. The rioters destroyed barns, workhouses, and over 100 threshers but killed no one. The events were named for Captain Swing, whose name was signed on threatening letters sent to farmers, magistrates, and others. Who was he? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Hungarian Republic Is Officially Proclaimed (1989)The defeat of the Central Powers in WWI brought the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary to an end and led to the creation of an independent Hungarian republic, which, in 1949, came under Communist control. Though a 1956 uprising was suppressed, Hungary became the most tolerant of the Soviet bloc nations of Europe and finally replaced Communism with a multi-party democracy with free elections in 1989. Hungary's relative freedom compared to other Eastern bloc countries led to what satirical nickname? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Michael Crichton (1942)While pursuing a medical degree at Harvard University, the intensely private Crichton began writing novels under a pseudonym. He published The Andromeda Strain during his final year and went on to write several best-selling works, many of which were made into films, including Jurassic Park and Congo. He unexpectedly died of throat cancer in 2008. While in college, he once submitted an essay by George Orwell under his own name as an experiment. What grade did he receive? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a sticky situation— A particularly awkward, embarrassing, precarious, or difficult situation or circumstance. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Hungary Republic Day (2018)In Hungary, Republic Day and the 1956 Revolution are celebrated on October 23 and originally commemorated the 1956 uprising against Soviet control. On October 23, 1989, in honor of the previous revolution, Hungarians established a new republic, amending the constitution to allow multiparty politics, public assembly, and create separation of power in the government. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: skirtbustle - A stuffed pad or cushion worn under the skirt of a woman's dress, it had a synonym of "dress-improver." More... kick pleat - The slit in the back of a skirt or coat that allows more freedom of movement. More... A-line - A dress or skirt shaped like an A, created by Christian Dior. More... skirt - The ice cream at the base of a scoop of ice cream in a cone. More... | |