Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, October 24, 2023)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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verruca
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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 Mechanical TurkIn 1770, Wolfgang von Kempelen unveiled his Mechanical Turk, a chess-playing automaton. Dressed in a cloak and turban and seated behind a chessboard, the mannequin played chess and executed complex mathematical puzzles. The Turk performed before numerous world leaders before it was revealed to be a hoax; the cabinet beneath the chessboard, which housed the internal mechanism, actually hid a chess master who secretly operated the machine. Which French Emperor was defeated by von Kempelen's Turk? 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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 Sarah Josepha Buell Hale (1788)Hale was an American writer and editor who turned to writing in 1822 as a widow trying to support her family. She edited Ladies' Magazine, the first successful US women's magazine, and then Godey's Lady's Book, with which it merged. As the first female magazine editor, she shaped many of the attitudes and ideas of women of the period. Hale is also credited with helping to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in the US. What popular nursery rhyme did she write? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Two cheers for Democracy: one because it admits variety and two because it permits criticism.E. M. Forster (1879-1970) | |
| 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: knightson one's high horse - At one time, knights, kings, and other VIPs rode on chargers, while ladies and others rode on smaller saddle horses, begetting the phrase "on one's high horse." More... full tilt - Meaning "full speed," it is from the encounter at full gallop of knights in a tilt (lance combat). More... | |