Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, November 11, 2021)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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gaffe
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Defining Modal Auxiliary VerbsA modal auxiliary verb is used to change the meaning of other verbs by expressing modality—that is, asserting (or denying) possibility, likelihood, ability, permission, obligation, or future intention. What are modal verbs unable to do? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 San SerriffeOn April Fools' Day 1977, Britain's The Guardian newspaper reported on the curious—but fictional—island nation of San Serriffe. The article described two islands—Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse—inhabited by colonists known as "colons" and "semi-colons," who celebrate events such as the Festival of the Well-Made Play. Since the article predated personal computers, typography was not widely known, and plays on words like "sans serif" eluded many readers. What is San Serriffe's national bird? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Highwayman Joseph "Blueskin" Blake Hanged (1724)In the early 18th century, English criminal Jonathan Wild maintained a highly organized gang of thieves and long escaped punishment by posing as an instrument of justice and helping the authorities catch other criminals independent of, or rebellious to, his control. One such criminal was Blake, who was arrested after a burglary. He was tried, convicted, and hanged. What other notorious criminal—Blake's partner in crime—escaped from prison when Blake attacked a witness at his trial? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Daisy Lee Gatson Bates (1914)Bates was a key figure in the integration of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas. The publisher of a newspaper, Bates began publicizing civil rights issues in the early 1940s. In 1957, when the Little Rock School Board chose nine black students to integrate the local high school, Bates organized the group's activities amid mob violence so intense that the students could only enter the school under military guard. On what national holiday is Daisy Gatson Bates Day observed in Arkansas? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Never lose a chance of saying a kind word.William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a kindred spirit— A person who shares several or many fundamental beliefs, ideas, convictions, sentiments, attitudes, and/or interests with oneself. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Veterans Day (Emporia, Kansas) (2024)Veterans Day was founded in Emporia, Kansas, on November 11, 1953. For decades, November 11 was observed in the United States as Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of World War I. But in 1953 the City of Emporia created a special program to honor all veterans; the U.S. Congress passed a bill changing the name of the federal holiday the following year. In recognition of its role in defining Veterans Day, Emporia celebrates the holiday with 10 days of special events, including museum exhibits, races, essay and poster contests, luncheons, and memorial luminaria. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: hosthost - One of its early senses was "army." More... harbinger - Originally, one who provided lodging or acted as a host. More... table d' hote, prix fixe - Table d' hote, literally "table of the host," is a complete meal with specified courses for a set price—and means the same as prix fixe. More... French leave - Comes from the French custom of leaving a ball or dinner without saying goodbye to the host or hostess. More... | |