Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, August 14, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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abridge
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Modal Auxiliary Verbs - ShouldThe modal verb "should" is used in a variety of ways, including to politely express obligations or duties and to ask for or issue advice. Why is "should" sometimes used instead of "will" or "shall"? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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.jpg) CaltropsA caltrop is a metal device with four projecting spikes arranged so that when any three spikes are on the ground, the fourth points upward. It can be used to damage feet, hooves, and—more commonly nowadays—tires. The earliest recorded use of caltrops was in the 331 BCE Battle of Gaugamela. Even in the 20th century, when mechanized warfare became the norm and horses were replaced with wheeled vehicles, caltrops retained their usefulness on the battlefield. How have they been used outside of war? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Northeast Blackout of 2003 Begins (2003)Caused by a cascading failure of more than 100 power plants originating in Ohio, the Northeast Blackout of 2003 was the largest power outage in North American history, affecting around 50 million people in eight US states and Ontario, Canada. The power outage began just after 4 PM and brought traffic and public transportation to a standstill, leaving many commuters stranded. Power was not fully restored until August 16. What band performed as scheduled in NYC's Central Park despite the blackout? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Wim Wenders (1945)Wenders is a German filmmaker who earned international acclaim for his documentary Buena Vista Social Club, featuring elderly Cuban musicians. He first attracted attention with The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick, a film whose themes of alienation and rootlessness are echoed in his other works. Paris, Texas was his first truly successful feature and earned him the top prize at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. Wenders has also directed music videos for what popular band? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 No man is offended by another man's admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment.Jane Austen (1775-1817) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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yell silently— To think angry thoughts without verbalizing them. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Pakistan Independence Day (2021)On this day in 1947, Pakistan gained independence from Britain. Pakistan had been part of the immense British colony of India since the 18th century. Independence Day is a national holiday observed in much the same way as Pakistan Day. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: trunkbillet - A civilian house where soldiers are lodged temporarily; a billet is also a thick piece of wood, from Latin billa/billus, "branch, trunk." More... trunk - As a box or chest, it was originally made from a tree trunk. More... bole - Another name for the trunk of a tree. More... stocky - A derivative of stock, which first meant "trunk, block of wood," in Old English. More... | |