Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, September 30, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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extenuate
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Adverbs of TimeAdverbs of time tell us at what time (when) or for how long (duration) something happens or is the case. Where are adverbs of time most often placed in a sentence? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The SariWorn chiefly in India and Pakistan, a sari is a woman's outer garment consisting of a length of lightweight cloth about 3 ft (1 m) wide and up to 30 ft (9 m) long. It is commonly worn with one end wrapped around the waist to form a skirt and the other draped over the shoulder or covering the head, but the way saris are draped as well as their fabrics, weaving styles, and motifs vary from region to region. What is the short-sleeved, midriff-baring blouse that is worn under the sari called? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 First Photos Taken of a Giant Squid in the Wild (2004)In 2004, two teams of Japanese researchers traveled to a sperm whale hunting ground south of Tokyo, where they attached bait, a camera, and a flash to a 3,000-foot (914-m) line. After numerous attempts to lure their prey, a 26-foot (8-m) giant squid attacked and became entangled in the lure, breaking free after more than 500 photos were taken over a four-hour period. What did the photos—the first ever taken of a live giant squid in its natural habitat—reveal about the mysterious creature? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Héctor Lavoe (1946)Lavoe was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. He moved to New York City at age 17 and found fame performing with acts like Orquesta New York and Willie Colón's band. Lavoe recorded many hits, including "Mi Gente," but with success came drug addiction and tragedy. After the deaths of his father, son, and mother-in-law and an HIV diagnosis, Lavoe jumped off a hotel balcony, likely in a suicide attempt. He survived and died of AIDS-related complications in 1993. Why were his remains later exhumed? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Don't let us rejoice in punishment, even when the hand of God alone inflicts it. The best of us are but poor wretches, just saved from shipwreck: can we feel anything but awe and pity when we see a fellow-passenger swallowed by the waves?George Eliot (1819-1880) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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catch big air— To jump into the air, especially in a vehicle or on sports equipment (e.g., a snowboard, skis, skateboard, bike, etc.). More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Botswana Independence Day (2022)Botswana became independent from Great Britain on September 30, 1966. Since 1885, the region had been a British colony called the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The biggest Independence Day festivities are held in the capital city of Gaborone, and include the singing of the national anthem, "Fatshe La Rona" (Blessed Country). More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: pleaseamuse-bouche, amuse-guele - Amuse-bouche and amuse-guele both mean literally "something to please the mouth," and both refer to an appetizer or pre-meal tidbit. More... like - Comes from Germanic likam, "appearance, body, form"; the verb came from likojam, which, as like, originally meant "please." More... love - From Old English lufu, connected with Sanskrit lubh, "to desire," and Latin lubere, "to please." More... | |