Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, May 15, 2022)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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excoriate
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Evaluative Adverbs that Indicate AttitudeThere are several types of evaluative adverbs, which can be classified according to their function. We can use evaluative adverbs to make our attitude about something clear. "Frankly" is an evaluative adverb that we can use in this way. What are others? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Niagara FallsNiagara Falls is a set of three spectacular waterfalls located on the US-Canadian border. The Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls are renowned for their beauty, and Niagara Falls as a whole is both a valuable source of hydroelectric power and a challenging project for environmental preservation. It is also a popular site for daredevils. In 1901, Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to go over the falls in a barrel. She survived and had what to say about the experience? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Diego Marín Aguilera Makes Early Attempt at Flight (1793)Inspired by the eagles he saw while out in the fields, Spanish inventor and aviation pioneer Diego Marín Aguilera built a flying machine from wood, iron, cloth, and feathers whose design was based on his observations of birds of prey. His attempt to fly the vehicle was somewhat successful—he reportedly reached a height of about 20 ft (6 m) and glided some distance—but he crash-landed when the device suffered a structural failure. What did the locals do when they learned of his invention? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Wavy Gravy (1936)Born Hugh Romney, Wavy Gravy is a peace activist known for his whimsical hippie appearance and clown persona. After being repeatedly arrested at political demonstrations, he adopted his flamboyant look in the hopes that police officers would be less likely to arrest someone dressed as a clown. Gravy was a master of ceremonies during the first Woodstock Festival and the two subsequent events and is now the official clown of the Grateful Dead. Who gave him his unusual moniker? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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above the salt— Of or in a position of high standing, rank, regard, or repute. The term is derived from the social hierarchy of nobility in medieval times, in which salt, a precious commodity then, was set in the middle of the dining table. Those of high noble rank were seated "above the salt," that is, closer to the lord and lady of the house, while those in lower social standing were seated "below" it. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Race of the Ceri (2023)The Race of the Ceri (Candles) held in Gubbio, Umbria, Italy, every May 15 is thought by some to have originated in pre-Christian times because its date coincides with the Ides of May in the pagan calendar, but the better-founded explanation is that it commemorates the city's patron, St. Ubaldo Baldassini. The candles for which the event is named are heavy, tower-like structures reinforced with iron bands. These are taken in procession to the Piazza dei Consoli; then, upon a signal, the bearers run with the candles up to the top of Mount Ingino, where they are offered to St. Ubaldo. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: olive oilfactory - Originally a place where traders did their business in another country, based on Latin factorium, "an oil press" (for olive oil). More... oil - From Latin oleum, from Greek elaion, "olive oil; other oily substance." More... salmagundi - First a dish of chopped meat and eggs, highly seasoned and served with lemon juice and olive oil. More... | |