Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, March 5, 2021)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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stolid
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Defining Concrete Countable NounsMany concrete nouns are countable, such as "cup," "dog," and "doctor." Each of these can be considered as an individual, separable item, which means that we are able to count them with numbers. We can also use them with indefinite articles. What are the two indefinite articles in English? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 St. Elmo's FireSt. Elmo’s fire is a weather phenomenon that causes luminous plasma to appear at the ends of tall, pointed objects such as spires, airplane wings, and ships' masts when the atmosphere is electrically charged. It is sometimes accompanied by a hissing sound. Named for St. Erasmus, the patron saint of sailors, the glowing display has been known to mariners since ancient times and has been interpreted as an omen, usually for good. What were some notable historical appearances of the phenomenon? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 George Westinghouse Patents the Automatic Air Brake (1872)Prior to the advent of trucking in the early 1900s, rail was the only efficient way to transport goods over land. However, before the 1870s, there was no easy way to quickly stop the extremely heavy freight trains. Brakemen scrambled over the tops of moving cars to activate hand brakes on each one. The system was unreliable, resulting in frequent derailments, and many brakemen were killed or maimed after falling from trains. The air brake solved all of those problems. How did it work? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Howard Pyle (1853)Pyle was an American illustrator and writer who specialized in tales of chivalry and adventure for children. He rewrote and realistically illustrated classic tales about figures like Robin Hood and King Arthur, adapting the stories to suit a younger audience. In 1900, he founded an art school, and many of his students went on to become famous illustrators themselves. Today, he is considered the father of American illustration. Which noted Post-Impressionist painter was an admirer of Pyle's work? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a woman of her word— A woman who can be expected to keep or follow through with her promises or intentions; a truthful, trustworthy, or reliable person. (Masculine: "man of his word.") More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Vanuatu Custom Chief's Day (2025)In the island nation of Vanuatu, many islands have rejected European influence and instead prefer to live according to their traditional customs. While these customs vary widely throughout the islands, village life, subsistence farming, a belief in magic, and rule by chiefs are common. In 1977, a National Council of Chiefs was set up by the government to ensure the preservation of traditional ways of life. These tribal chiefs are honored on March 5 of each year; celebratory activities on this day include sporting events, carnivals, agricultural fairs, and arts festivals. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: midnightbeauty sleep - First defined as sleep taken before midnight, regarded as the most refreshing portion. More... mesonoxian - Means "of or related to midnight." More... quarternight - Halfway between sundown and midnight. More... small hours - Midnight or 1 a.m. to dawn, when the numbered hours are "small." More... | |