Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, November 25, 2021)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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waft
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Second-Person PronounsWe use the second-person pronouns to indicate those who are being addressed directly by the speaker. Unlike first-person pronouns, there is not a distinction between singular and plural second-person pronouns, except in what form? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The NomenklaturaIn the Soviet Union and other Communist countries, the nomenklatura was an elite group of Communist Party members in key administrative government positions. It arose during Vladimir Lenin's tenure early in the 20th century. Certain officials—"patrons"—had the authority to appoint individuals—called "clients"—to certain positions. The client was thus beholden to his patron for employment, which helped to maintain the power structure. What was Joseph Stalin's nickname within the nomenklatura? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The White Ship Sinks, Drowning the Son of Henry I of England (1120)In 1120, an English vessel known as the White Ship sank in the English Channel on its way from Normandy to England, killing hundreds of passengers. Among those who drowned was William, the only legitimate son of King Henry I. Henry's second marriage was childless, and the latter years of his reign were marked by his attempts to secure the succession for his daughter Matilda. William's death in 1135 led to a disputed succession and civil war between Matilda and whom? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Ricardo Montalbán (1920)Montalbán was a Mexican television, stage, and film actor. Perhaps best known as the star of the television series Fantasy Island, he had many notable roles throughout his career, including the villain Khan in the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. His career spanned seven decades, and he continued to perform into his 80s, often providing voices for animated films and commercials. In the 1970s, Montalbán founded the Nosotros organization. What is its mission? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 There are two things that men should never weary of, goodness and humility; we get none too much of them in this rough world among cold, proud people.Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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let it rest— To cease discussing or dwelling upon a given subject. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Manger Yam (2024)Manger Yam is a harvest celebration of the yam crop observed in Haiti. It is considered taboo to eat any of the new yams before the festival for fear of falling ill or bringing ruin to the yam crop. In Vodoun belief, it is very important for people to maintain relationships with the dead, as well as with each other and the gods, so the deceased are included in the Manger Yam. In the Vodoun service, the priest or priestess leads prayers to the dead and to the gods and offers the first yams to them. After the ceremony, people feast on yam dishes and enjoy music and dancing. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: witchtroll - Originally a witch or sorceress. More... fly-by-night - Said to be an old term of reproach to a woman signifying that she was a witch, and was extended to "anyone who departs hastily from a recent activity," especially while owing money. More... hag - First meant "witch." More... witch - In Old English, it was actually wicca and originally (c. 890) was a man who practiced magic or sorcery, who we now call a wizard; by the year 1000, witch came to be defined as "a female magician or sorceress." More... | |