Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, October 6, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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glister
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Sense VerbsCertain verbs are used to indicate perceptions, opinions, or bodily sensations. These are known as verbs of the senses, or "sense verbs" for short. What are the seven sense verbs? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 MaenadsAlso called bacchantes, maenads were female followers of the Greek wine-god Dionysus. The name "maenad" comes from a Greek word meaning "mad" or "demented." During the rites of Dionysus, maenads roamed the mountains and forests performing frenzied, ecstatic dances and were believed to be possessed by the god. While under his influence, they supposedly had extraordinary strength, and it was said they could tear animals—or people—to pieces. This was the fate met by what mythological figure? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Egyptian President Anwar Sadat Is Assassinated (1981)As president, Sadat led Egypt in a 1973 war with Israel that bolstered his popularity throughout the Arab world, even though the war was a military loss. However, after he negotiated a peace treaty with Israel in the Camp David Accords—an initiative for which he shared a Nobel Peace Prize—his popularity in the Arab world plummeted. During an annual military parade, he was ambushed and killed by extremists. What three people made a rare simultaneous appearance at his funeral? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Johanna "Jenny" Maria Lind (1820)One of the greatest coloratura sopranos of her time, Lind was a Swedish opera star who caused a sensation touring Europe. American showman P.T. Barnum used his innovative publicity techniques to arrange a hugely successful 1850 US tour for her. Hans Christian Andersen once fell in love with her and wrote "The Nightingale" in her honor, leading to her nickname, "The Swedish Nightingale." Many things have been named for Lind, including a clipper ship, a class of locomotive, and what else? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Observation is an old man's memory.Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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Peter Pan syndrome— A psychological state or condition in which a grown person cannot or refuses to act like an adult; a stubborn and persistent immaturity found in an adult person. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Egypt's Armed Forces Day (2025)Armed Forces Day in Egypt is an important national holiday marking the surprise attack on Israel that began the October War of 1973 (also known as the Yom Kippur War). The war ended with a cease-fire secured by the US and was declared a victory by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, enabling him to seek an honorable peace with Israel. The holiday is celebrated with grand parades, speeches by government officials, and fireworks. It was while reviewing a military parade on this day in 1981 that Anwar Sadat was assassinated by opponents of peace with Israel. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: heelssparable - A headless nail used for soles and heels of shoes. More... recalcitrant - Comes from Latin recalcitrare, "kick out with the heels," from calx, "heel." More... heel - The crusty ends of a loaf of bread are its heels. More... Dog Star - Named for its appearing to follow at the heels of Orion the hunter. More... | |