Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, November 25, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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pourboire
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Definite and Indefinite ArticlesThe definite article "the" is used to identify a specific person, place, or thing. What are the indefinite articles "a" and "an" used to identify? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Absolute ZeroThe lowest temperature theoretically achievable by a system, absolute zero is the point at which substances possess no thermal energy. In 1848, British physicist Lord Kelvin devised a temperature scale that set absolute zero, or 0°K, at -273.15°C. Although absolute zero is impossible to achieve, scientists have brought some substances within a billionth of a degree of 0°K, inducing in these materials odd quantum effects such as superconductivity. Where is the coldest known place in the universe? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The White Ship Sinks, Drowning the Son of Henry I of England (1120)In 1120, an English vessel known as the White Ship sank in the English Channel on its way from Normandy to England, killing hundreds of passengers. Among those who drowned was William, the only legitimate son of King Henry I. Henry's second marriage was childless, and the latter years of his reign were marked by his attempts to secure the succession for his daughter Matilda. William's death in 1135 led to a disputed succession and civil war between Matilda and whom? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Ricardo Montalbán (1920)Montalbán was a Mexican television, stage, and film actor. Perhaps best known as the star of the television series Fantasy Island, he had many notable roles throughout his career, including the villain Khan in the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. His career spanned seven decades, and he continued to perform into his 80s, often providing voices for animated films and commercials. In the 1970s, Montalbán founded the Nosotros organization. What is its mission? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 A prisoner...is unfortunate in two ways—because he has done something wrong and because he is deprived of his liberty. Therefore we should treat him kindly, because of his misfortune, for otherwise he would become hard and bitter and would not be sorry he had done wrong.L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) | |
| 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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 Manger Yam (2019)Manger Yam is a harvest celebration of the yam crop observed in Haiti. It is considered taboo to eat any of the new yams before the festival for fear of falling ill or bringing ruin to the yam crop. In Vodoun belief, it is very important for people to maintain relationships with the dead, as well as with each other and the gods, so the deceased are included in the Manger Yam. In the Vodoun service, the priest or priestess leads prayers to the dead and to the gods and offers the first yams to them. After the ceremony, people feast on yam dishes and enjoy music and dancing. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: potterycraze - First a crack or flaw; to craze is to produce minute cracks on the surface of pottery. More... fictile - An adjective meaning "pertaining to pottery" or "suitable for making pottery." More... ceramic, earthenware - Pottery made from clay is called ceramic or earthenware. More... slip - As in pottery, it derives from Norwegian slip/slipa, "slime on fish." More... | |