Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, October 24, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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conceited
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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The Two Dummy PronounsDummy pronouns are words that function grammatically as pronouns, but which do not have antecedents like normal pronouns do. What are the two dummy pronouns? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Beverage-Can StoveA beverage-can stove is a homemade, lightweight, portable, reusable stove made from aluminum beverage cans. Popular among backpackers, it requires more fuel than some commercial stoves but is incredibly lightweight and easy to make. It is also said to be fail-proof even in difficult environments. Beverage-can stoves burn denatured alcohol and are nearly silent when operating. Their basic design dates back more than a century. How long does it take a beverage-can stove to boil two cups of water? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Annie Edson Taylor, 63, Goes Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel (1901)Taylor was a dance instructor who sought fame and fortune by attempting to become the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Days before her attempt, a cat was sent over the falls to test the strength of Taylor's barrel and survived the plunge uninjured. On her 63rd birthday, Taylor was set adrift in her barrel and went over the falls. Shortly thereafter, the barrel was pulled from the water and Taylor emerged—mostly unharmed. What was her lone injury? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 The Kray Twins (1933)Partners in crime, twins Reginald and Ronald Kray were the foremost perpetrators of organized crime in London's East End during the 1950s and 60s. The brothers managed to escape justice for some time, thanks in part to their intimidation of witnesses, political connections, and quasi-celebrity status as nightclub owners. Eventually, however, their luck ran out. In 1969, they were sentenced to life in prison for the murders of George Cornell and Jack McVitie. Why was Reginald eventually freed? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) | |
| 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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 Zambia Independence Day (2024)On this day in 1964, the British colony of Northern Rhodesia became the independent Republic of Zambia, after decades of nationalist struggle. For two days, celebrations and parades are held all over Zambia, but the most elaborate are in the capital city of Lusaka. Labor and youth organizations march along with the armed forces with dancing and music. Various tribal dances from all over the country are performed in Independence Stadium, and there are gymnastics performances by children. October 24 is also the occasion for the final game of the annual Independence Soccer Trophy. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: remoteremote - From Latin remotus, the past participle of removere, "remove." More... remote sensing - The scanning of the earth by satellite or aircraft to obtain information about it. More... devious - Its literal meaning is "out of the way," from Latin de via—applied to a place that was remote because it was off the main road. More... remote control - The term existed by 1904, and the shortened version, remote, was used in print by 1966. More... | |