Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, May 17, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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clamorous
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Verbs that Take Both "To" and "At"Many verbs are able to take multiple prepositions after them. However, this often results in a change in the sentence's meaning. The most common of these pairs is "to" and "at"—a large number of verbs are able to take both. What are some examples? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Arnolfini PortraitThe Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck is considered one of the most original and complex paintings in Western art history. It depicts a wealthy merchant, long thought to be Giovanni Arnolfini, and his wife. The incredible detail, realism, and use of light make this work remarkable, but it also stands out for the debate that it has inspired over the symbolism of certain elements, including the one lit candle in the chandelier, van Eyck's unusually placed signature, and what else? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Muhammad Ali Becomes Wali of Egypt (1805)Four years after Ali, an Ottoman army commander, helped drive Napoleon from Ottoman-ruled Egypt, he was named wali—governor—of Egypt. He helped modernize Egypt and attempted to secure its independence. Though unsuccessful, his efforts established his progeny as the rulers of Egypt and Sudan for nearly 150 years and rendered Egypt a de facto independent state. He is thus considered one of the fathers of modern Egypt. How did Ali trick Egypt's Mamluk leaders into walking into a massacre? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Dennis Lee Hopper (1936)Hopper was an American film actor. He appeared in two films with James Dean in the 1950s but achieved fame of his own after directing and starring in 1969's Easy Rider. His career foundered in the 70s, but important roles in Apocalypse Now (1979) and Blue Velvet (1986) helped him revitalize his career in the 80s and 90s. In addition to acting, he was a noted artist. In 1983, he checked into rehab shortly after performing what daredevil stunt involving dynamite? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Be generous, be delicate, and always pursue the prize.Henry James (1843-1916) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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caught on the hop— Caught unawares or in a state of unpreparedness. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Norway Constitution Day (Syttende Mai) (2025)May 17, 1814, marks both Norway's declaration of independence from Sweden and the day on which its constitution was signed. This day remains the great spring festival in Norway, and today it is celebrated primarily by young people. The children's procession in Oslo, the capital city, is the largest of many school parades throughout the country. Marching behind their school bands and banners, the children pass under the balcony of the Royal Palace in salute to the king. Everyone joins in the procession, waving Norwegian flags. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: ignorantignore, ignorant - Ignore and ignorant are from Latin i-, "not," and gno-, "know." More... nescient - Can mean "ignorant" or "agnostic," coming from Latin ne, "not," and scire, "know." More... nice, nicety - Nice first meant "foolish, ignorant," derived from Latin nescius, "ignorant"; nicety first meant "stupidity." More... rude - Derives from Latin rudis, "uncultivated," and first meant "uneducated, ignorant." More... | |