Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, December 26, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Present Perfect Continuous TenseThe present perfect continuous tense is formed by using a form of the auxiliary verb "have" along with "been" and the present participle of the "main" verb. The present perfect continuous is very close in meaning to how we use the present perfect tense. How do they differ? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Iranian PotteryA crossroads of ancient civilizations and home to some of the world's oldest human settlements, Iran has a rich and storied history. Modern-day excavations have uncovered an almost continuous record of that history in the form of pottery, which transformed stylistically as a reaction to cultural and political changes. For example, following the 13th-century Mongol domination of Persia, Islamic pottery clearly began exhibiting a Chinese influence. During which dynasty were ceramic coffins used? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Soviet Union Officially Dissolves (1991)In December 1991, a series of events spelled the end of the Soviet Union—and each has been put forth as the date the Union truly broke up. On December 8, the presidents of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus declared the Soviet Union dissolved. Two weeks later, on December 21, representatives of most of the remaining Soviet states signed an agreement confirming the dissolution. On December 25, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned from office. The following day, what final step was taken? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Steve Allen (1921)The son of vaudeville performers, Allen got his start as a comedian on radio in the 1940s before moving to late-night television. He created and hosted The Tonight Show and The Steve Allen Show in the 1950s and appeared in numerous other programs, earning a reputation as the father of TV talk shows. He also composed thousands of songs, wrote more than 50 books, and appeared in films such as The Benny Goodman Story. What minor accident led to Allen's death? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity in the affairs of others.Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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talk twenty to the dozen— To talk (to someone) very rapidly, hurriedly, and/or energetically. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Boxing Day (2025)The term "Boxing Day" comes from the little earthenware boxes that servants, tradespeople, and others who rendered services to the public used to carry around on the day after Christmas to collect tips and year-end bonuses. The name has remained, and Boxing Day is still observed in England, Canada, Australia, and many other nations. In South Africa, it is known as the Day of Good Will. If December 26 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday or Tuesday is usually observed as a public or Bank Holiday. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: shockshock - An encounter between two charging hostile forces. More... enfant terrible - Actually applies to young adults (generally male) who go out of their way to shock or embarrass but at the same time are considered talented. More... perculsive - Describing something that gives you a shock. More... ay, chihuahua - This interjection expresses surprise or shock—even dismay, annoyance, or resignation. More... | |