Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, February 5, 2021)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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rambunctious
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Modal Verbs Used to Make a RequestBecause modal auxiliary verbs can be quite similar in how they are used, it is sometimes unclear when it's more appropriate to use one instead of another. For instance, "will," "can," "could," and "would" can all be used to make a request of someone, with differing degrees of politeness. Which of these modal verbs are considered the most polite options? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Slow LorisWith gradual, quiet movements, the aptly-named slow loris adeptly creeps up on its insect prey. However, the unhurried pace and adorable appearance of the small, wide-eyed primate make it a prime target for the exotic—and illegal—pet trade. Though lorises are venomous—they are known to slather their young in toxic saliva for protection—traders minimize the danger they pose to owners by removing their teeth. What unusual loris-derived food product is used for pain relief in traditional medicine? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Roger Williams Immigrates to Colonial America (1631)An English clergyman and early espouser of Puritanism, Williams immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1631, but it was not long before his then-unorthodox views on religious toleration, Indian rights, and the separation of church and state brought about his banishment. He headed south and in 1636 founded Providence, the first settlement of the Rhode Island colony. Under his leadership, the colony became a haven for religious dissenters. What other practice was he an early opponent of? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron (1934)Aaron was the first US baseball player to hit more career home runs than Babe Ruth. After playing briefly in the Negro leagues and then in the minor leagues, Aaron moved up to the majors as an outfielder with the Milwaukee—later Atlanta—Braves in 1954 and was National League MVP in 1957. Upon breaking Ruth's record in 1974, he was besieged by the media and badgered by racist letter-writers, and retired just two years later. Aaron's home run record remained unbroken until when? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 As for a future life, every man must judge for himself between conflicting vague probabilities.Charles Darwin (1809-1882) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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(as) mad as a wet hen— Enraged; extremely or inconsolably angry. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 San Marino Liberation Day (2022)In 1739, Cardinal Giulio Alberoni invaded the Republic of San Marino and occupied the country. The people of San Marino protested the occupation and appealed to the Vatican; the Pope recognized the rights of San Marino and, on February 5, 1740, he restored the country's independence. Today, San Marino celebrates Liberation Day on February 5 to mark the anniversary of their independence. As part of the celebration, there is a public procession from the city of Borgo Maggiore to the capital city of San Marino proper. In addition, various civic celebrations take place throughout the day. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: wavesbreach - The leap of a whale out of the water or the breaking of waves over a vessel or onto a coast; it is also the act of breaking. More... plangent - Describes the sound of the sea and its waves—reverberating and mournfully resonant. More... swaff - To come one over another, like waves upon a shore. More... lop - The state of the sea when it has waves that are short and lumpy, hence "loppy," when it is choppy and lumpy. More... | |