Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, October 24, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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The Two Dummy PronounsDummy pronouns are words that function grammatically as pronouns, but which do not have antecedents like normal pronouns do. What are the two dummy pronouns? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 WhipcrackingWhipcracking, producing a cracking sound with the use of a whip, originated with cattle herding and horse riding but has since become an art that crosses the boundaries of sport, hobby, and performance. It is featured in rodeo shows in the US and is a competitive sport in Australia. Rhythmic whipcracking is part of a variety of traditional cultures throughout many parts of Europe, especially Bavaria, where it is a performance art showcased in concerts. What produces a whip's "crack"? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The United Nations Is Formally Established (1945)The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded to promote peace, security, and economic development. Representatives from the US, the UK, the Soviet Union, and China first met in 1944 to discuss the problems involved in creating such an agency, and the results of their talks became the basis for the UN Charter that was ratified in 1945. Established immediately after WWII, it replaced the essentially powerless League of Nations. Who first coined the term "United Nations"? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Annie Edson Taylor (1838)On her 63rd birthday, Taylor became the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The interior of the barrel was cushioned and the air was compressed with a bicycle pump. Before her trip, Taylor sent a cat over the falls in her barrel—and it lived. Days later, she drifted over the falls in the same barrel and walked away from the plunge with minor injuries. However, she did not significantly profit from the stunt. According to some accounts, her barrel was stolen by whom? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 I don't think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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give (someone) the stink eye— To make a facial expression of unreserved disgust, contempt, disapproval, distrust, or general ill will toward someone. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Zambia Independence Day (2024)On this day in 1964, the British colony of Northern Rhodesia became the independent Republic of Zambia, after decades of nationalist struggle. For two days, celebrations and parades are held all over Zambia, but the most elaborate are in the capital city of Lusaka. Labor and youth organizations march along with the armed forces with dancing and music. Various tribal dances from all over the country are performed in Independence Stadium, and there are gymnastics performances by children. October 24 is also the occasion for the final game of the annual Independence Soccer Trophy. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: science fictiondroid - A robot in science fiction, it is a shortening of android. More... death ray - Was a staple of (pulp) science fiction in the mid-20th century. More... time warp - A concept that arose in the 1950s and originally applied to science fiction. More... warp speed - Alludes to the use in science fiction, especially the speed used for interstellar travel in the science fiction television series Star Trek. More... | |