Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, February 6, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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cleaver
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Declarative QuestionsDeclarative questions are a bit of a unique bridge between declarative sentences and interrogative sentences. They are declarative, yet they end with a question mark; they are used primarily in spoken, informal English and generally have what two possible responses? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Brain MushroomDespite its recognized toxicity, the false morel mushroom Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Europe, especially in Scandinavia. Also called a "brain mushroom" because it looks like a dark red brain, it can be deadly if it is not carefully and thoroughly cooked or dried. Some experts advise boiling and rinsing it twice to draw out the toxin, but even this process can be dangerous, as the toxin can build up in the air when boiled. Why do some deny that the mushroom is poisonous? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Singapore Established as a Trading Post (1819)A trading center as early as the 14th century, Singapore was later part of Johor, a region of the southern Malay Peninsula. In 1819, the island of Singapore was ceded to the British East India Company, and the city was founded the same year by Sir Thomas Raffles. Under Raffles' direction, Singapore developed a vital role in the lucrative China trade. Today, the city is one of the world's biggest ports. The earliest known settlement on the island of Singapore was referred to by what name? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Babe Ruth (1895)George Herman Ruth, better known as Babe Ruth, was arguably the greatest player in the history of baseball. His ability to hit home runs helped turn the game into the American national pastime in the 1920s and 30s, and two of his records stood for more than 30 years. In 1936, Babe Ruth became the second player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. What is the origin of his nickname, "Babe"? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 We must have ideals and try to live up to them, even if we never quite succeed. Life would be a sorry business without them. With them it's grand and great.Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth— Compensation or retribution that is (or should be) of an equal amount or degree to the injury or offense that was originally dealt. The saying comes from various passages in the Old Testament, including in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Matsuri) (2023)This exuberant celebration of snow and ice has been held since 1950 in Sapporo, the capital city Hokkaido. The week's activities feature a colorful parade and competitive events in winter sports, as well as a display of colossal snow sculptures along the main street and in Odori Park. The sculptures are spectacular—intricately carved and often several stories high. About three weeks before the festival, a wooden frame is built and packed with snow; after the snow has hardened the frame is removed and the carving begins. A different theme is chosen each year for the sculptures. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: proveprobe, prove, probable - Latin probare, "approve, prove, test," is the source of English probe and prove. From that came Latin probabilis, "provable," which became English probable. More... sooth, soothsayer, soothe - Sooth, "true, truth," or "that which is," is part of soothsayer; it is related to soothe, which once meant "assent to be true; say yes to," or "to prove or show a fact to be true." More... approve - Its original sense was "prove, demonstrate." More... rebut, refute - To rebut a statement is to offer clear evidence or a reasoned argument against it; to refute a statement is to prove it wrong (neither means "contradict" or "deny"). More... | |