Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, December 8, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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toothsome
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Defining InfinitivesAn infinitive is the most basic form of a verb. It is "unmarked" (which means that it is not conjugated for tense or person), and it is preceded by what particle? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Boxer RebellionThe Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was a popularly supported uprising of Chinese peasants against foreigners at a time when, during an economic depression, China was being forced to grant concessions to Western powers. The Righteous Fists of Harmony, or Boxers, opposed the political, economic, and religious encroachment of Westerners and killed thousands of Chinese Christians and Westerners before an international force quelled the attacks. What did the Boxers think made them impervious to bullets? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 SpaceX Launches and Returns a Spacecraft from Orbit (2010)In 2002, PayPal cofounder Elon Musk established the space transportation company SpaceX. In 2010, SpaceX became the first private company to place a spacecraft into orbit and successfully recover it. The craft, called Dragon, was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. In 2012, Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous with and be attached to the International Space Station (ISS). When did Dragon begin regular cargo flights to the ISS? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 James Thurber (1894)After working at various newspapers, Thurber served on the staff of The New Yorker from 1927 to 1933 and was later a principal contributor to the magazine, publishing drawings, stories, and anecdotes of his misadventures. He is especially known for his short story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." In 1940, his failing eyesight forced him to curtail his drawing, and by 1952 he had to give it up altogether as his blindness had become nearly total. What is said to be Thurber's last drawing? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Bigotry may be roughly defined as the anger of men who have no opinions.Gilbert Chesterton (1874-1936) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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scare the (living) daylights out of (someone)— To shock or frighten someone very suddenly and/or severely. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Feast of the Immaculate Conception (2024)The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary is an important day throughout Latin America, but it is especially significant in the Mexican town of San Juan de los Lagos, where the celebration begins several days in advance. The town temporarily renames the streets where the festival will occur—on Calle de Alegria (Joy Street), for example, there are puppet shows, side shows, and musical performances. On the morning of December 8, the 11-inch image of the Virgin Mary leaves the local church, carried by priests on a silver litter. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: roastrule the roost - Was first "rule the roast," as it referred to the master of the house who sat at the head of the table. More... steak - Seems to be related to Old Norse steikja, "roast on a spit," and stikna, "be roasted." More... dry roast - To roast without oils. More... rotisserie - First meant a restaurant or shop specializing in roasted or barbecued meat. More... | |