Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, May 15, 2023)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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cistron
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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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 The Black DeathThe Black Death was a form of bubonic plague that was pandemic throughout Europe, the Middle East, and much of Asia in the 14th century. Thought to have been caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, it killed between one-third and half of Europe's population and at least 75 million people worldwide. Recently, it has been argued that the Black Death was not caused by bubonic plague, at all, but by what? 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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 It is greater than the stars - that moving procession of human energy; greater than the palpitating earth and the things growing thereon.Kate Chopin (1851-1904) | |
| 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... | |