Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, August 23, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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effulgent
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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ConversionWhen we use a verb or adjective as a noun without changing its spelling in any way, it is called "conversion" or "zero derivation." Conversion is especially common with what part of speech? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 BonobosFound only in the lowland rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the bonobo is an endangered species of great ape whose name has been variously reported as being a Bantu word for "chimpanzee" or "ancestor" or a misspelling of the name of the town of Bolobo on the Congo River. Sometimes called pygmy chimpanzees, bonobos closely resemble common chimpanzees in appearance and way of life but usually live in larger groups and are said to be less aggressive. How do bonobos settle disputes? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Sacco and Vanzetti Are Executed (1927)The 1920 armed robbery and murder trial of the young Italian immigrants Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti was one of the most controversial in US history. Though some believed the verdict was just, others argued that the two men were innocent and were only found guilty because they were immigrants and political radicals. Their defenders waged a fierce legal and public relations battle to save the men's lives, but they were executed in 1927. What declaration about the verdict was made in 1977? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Gene Kelly (1912)Kelly was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and movie director. After training at his mother's dance school in Pittsburgh, he moved to New York in 1938 and danced in Broadway musicals. His athletic style later became a hallmark of the movie musical. His most famous performance came in Singin' in the Rain, which he also helped choreograph and direct. His achievements earned him a special Academy Award in 1952. With what animated character did Kelly dance in Anchors Aweigh? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 By humbly and frankly acknowledging yourself to be in the wrong, there is no knowing, my son, what good you may do.William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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bare (one's) teeth— To display an angry, violent, and/or threatening reaction to or against something or someone, as does a dog or wolf when threatened. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Vulcanalia (2019)Vulcan was the ancient Roman god of volcanic or destructive fire. The Vulcanalia, or festival in honor of Vulcan, was held on August 23, right at the time of year when forest fires might be expected and when the stored grain was in danger of burning. For this reason Vulcan's cult was very prominent at Ostia, where Rome's grain was stored. At the Vulcanalia, which was observed in Egypt, in Athens, and in Rome, the priest or flamen Volcanis performed a sacrifice, and the heads of families burned small fish they had caught in the Tiber River. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: napnap - A pretend hit or strike in a theatrical performance. More... teasel - A tool for raising the nap of something. More... crushed velvet - Has its nap pointing in different directions in irregular patches. More... nap - As in a short sleep, it comes from Old English hnappian, "to sleep lightly." More... | |