Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, April 30, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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comely
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Noun ClausesA noun clause is a type of dependent clause that is able to function grammatically like a noun in a sentence. What words most commonly begin a noun clause? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Cyrano de BergeracCyrano de Bergerac is an 1897 play by Edmond Rostand whose title character was inspired by a 17th-century writer with an exceptionally large nose. Rostand's play, written entirely in rhymed couplets, relates the tale of Cyrano, a soldier and poet, who falls in love with the beautiful Roxane. Rather than woo Roxane himself, the large-nosed Cyrano provides his handsome friend, Christian, with the dialogue to win her heart. What word did this play introduce into the English language? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Washington Becomes First Elected US President (1789)Washington, who served as commander-in-chief of the Continental army in the American Revolution, was elected the first President of the US after the adoption of the Constitution. His two-term administration was marked by the establishment of a number of key American institutions that continue to operate today. Because of his central role in the founding of the US, Washington is often called the "Father of His Country." What are five places or institutions that are named after him? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Mary II of England (1662)Despite the conversion of her father, King James II, to Roman Catholicism, Mary was raised Protestant, a fact that would become important in her later life. In 1688, English nobles opposed to James's pro-Catholic policies overthrew him and selected Mary and her husband, William of Orange, to rule in his place. Mary enjoyed great popularity as co-ruler of England, but her personal life was full of hardship. What were some of the major sources of unhappiness in her life? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Man's desire for the approval of his fellows is so strong, his dread of their censure so violent, that he himself has brought his enemy within his gates; and it keeps watch over him, vigilant always in the interests of its master to crush any half-formed desire to break away from the herd.W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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sleeping policeman— slang A bump, ramp, or hump in the road that is intended to cause cars to reduce their speed, especially in residential areas. Primarily heard in UK. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Walpurgis Night (2022)People who lived in the Harz Mountains of Germany believed for many centuries that witches rode across the sky on the eve of St. Walpurga's Day to hold a coven on Brocken Mountain. To frighten them off, people rang church bells, banged pots and pans, and lit torches topped with hemlock, rosemary, and juniper. The legend of Walpurgis Night is still celebrated in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia with bonfires and other festivities designed to welcome spring by warding off demons, disaster, and darkness. St. Walpurga is the patron saint associated with protection against magic. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: poetryfound poem - A passage within prose that unintentionally reads like poetry. More... stich - A line of poetry. More... free verse - Poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter. More... metrophobia - The fear of poetry. More... | |