Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, October 18, 2024)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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paucity
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Subordinating Conjunctions Used to Convey a ReasonWe use the subordinating conjunctions "in order that," "so that," and "so" to give a reason for an action. They are interchangeable in meaning, but differ in formality. Which one is the most formal? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Were-JaguarThe were-jaguar is one of the most prominent and enigmatic designs of the Olmec people, who flourished between 1200 BCE and 400 BCE in south-central Mexico. Seen in murals and statues, the design is characterized by a down-turned mouth, almond-shaped eyes, fleshy lips, and a cleft forehead. Though the term is derived from the Old English "were," meaning "man," and "jaguar," the predatory cat revered by the Olmec people, some scholars believe were-jaguars represent a different animal. Which one? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Earthquake Destroys Basel, Switzerland (1356)Estimated to have been greater than 6.0 in magnitude, the Basel earthquake of 1356 may have been the most serious seismological event in the recorded history of central Europe. The main earthquake struck around 10 PM. In the Swiss city of Basel, all the major buildings—including castles and churches—were destroyed by the quake and subsequent fires. Three hundred people are thought to have been killed. The event was felt across Europe, including as far away as what locations? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Jan Gies (1905)When the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands forced Otto Frank to resign from his own company because he was a Jew, his friend Jan Gies nominally took over. Soon after, the Franks and several friends went into hiding in a secret annex on the company's premises. For the next two years, Jan and his wife, Miep, sustained eight people in hiding, including Otto's daughter Anne, bringing them food and supplies until they were betrayed to the Nazis. How were the Nazis responsible for the Gies' marriage? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Everybody who is incapable of learning has taken to teaching.Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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sleeping policeman— slang A bump, ramp, or hump in the road that is intended to cause cars to reduce their speed, especially in residential areas. Primarily heard in UK. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Azerbaijan Independence Days (2025)Azerbaijan observes two independence days. The May 28, 1918, establishment of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan provides the occasion for one independence celebration. As Azerbaijan came under Soviet rule two years later, its new independence day commemorates the declaration of independence made by the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan on October 18, 1991. After the USSR ceased to exist as a geopolitical entity, Azerbaijan became an official independent state on December 26, 1991. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: startsptarmic - Describing a substance that starts a sneezing bout. More... early adopter - A person who starts using a technology or product as soon as it becomes available. More... prolepsis - Anticipation before something starts is prolepsis. More... start from scratch - Comes from giving handicaps to some competitors in racing; a contestant who starts from scratch (a line scratched in the turf or gravel) is the one who has no special advantage. More... | |