Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, May 6, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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pinguid
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Modal Auxiliary Verbs - MightThe modal verb "might" is most often used to express an unlikely or uncertain possibility. How is "might" used in reported speech? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Harlem GlobetrottersThe Harlem Globetrotters, a basketball team that combines athleticism and comedy, entertains spectators around the world. Initially a standard competitive team, the Globetrotters began relying on comic routines after experiencing difficulty attracting and retaining talent in the 1950s. Players demonstrate skills such as juggling, spinning balls on their fingertips, and making unusual, difficult shots. Who are the "honorary Globetrotters?" More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Roger Bannister Breaks Four-Minute Mile (1954)Bannister was a British medical student when he became the first man to run the mile in less than four minutes—a barrier many experts had long considered unbreakable. His official time was 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds. Australia's John Landy and New Zealand's Peter Snell bettered the record that year, but in August, Bannister defeated Landy at the British Empire Games in Vancouver, clocking 3:58.8 in a thrilling race. For his accomplishments, Bannister became the first to earn what honor? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Moshe Feldenkrais (1904)Feldenkrais was a Russian-born Israeli physicist and engineer who was also an avid soccer player and a judo master. Motivated by a debilitating knee injury of his own, Feldenkrais developed a system to improve body movement and function and reduce pain by increasing self-awareness and re-educating the neuromuscular system. Since its introduction in the 1950s, the Feldenkrais method has gradually gained acceptance. Which statesman did Feldenkrais allegedly teach to stand on his head? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 While the laughter of joy is in full harmony with our deeper life, the laughter of amusement should be kept apart from it. The danger is too great of thus learning to look at solemn things in a spirit of mockery, and to seek in them opportunities for exercising wit.Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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set in cement— Firmly or permanently established; not subject to change; unalterable. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Hidrellez Festival (2021)The Hidrellez Festival is observed in Turkey every May 6. It is marked as the day that two prophets, Hizir and Ilyas, met each other on Earth; the word Hidrellez is a fusing of the two names. The festival is a joyous celebration of the coming of spring. People prepare for Hidrellez by thoroughly cleaning their homes; they also purchase fresh new clothes to wear for the Hidrellez Festival, and prepare special food, such as fresh lamb or lamb's liver. On Hidrellez night, people leave purses and pantries open and put out food bowls, in the belief that Hizir will bring abundance to the homes he visits. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: hosthost - One of its early senses was "army." More... harbinger - Originally, one who provided lodging or acted as a host. More... table d' hote, prix fixe - Table d' hote, literally "table of the host," is a complete meal with specified courses for a set price—and means the same as prix fixe. More... French leave - Comes from the French custom of leaving a ball or dinner without saying goodbye to the host or hostess. More... | |