Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, April 6, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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inconstancy
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Using "Can"The modal auxiliary verb "can" is used most often and most literally to express when a person or thing is physically, mentally, or functionally able to do something. What happens to "can" when it is used with "not" to become negative? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Mary RoseThe Mary Rose was an English warship that sank mysteriously—and probably accidentally—during a battle in 1545. The ship was leading an attack on an invading French fleet when, quite suddenly, it heeled over to one side and sank with about 400 crew members on board. It was rediscovered in 1971. When it was raised in 1982, there were still 92 complete skeletons inside. Maritime researchers believe that it probably sank because the sailors failed to do what? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Petrarch Falls in Love (1327)Petrarch claimed to have first laid eyes on his beloved Laura, who was to inspire his great vernacular love lyrics, at the church of Sainte-Claire d'Avignon on Good Friday 1327. Over the next 20 years, the Italian humanist poet wrote hundreds of sonnets and odes about the lovely Laura, with whom he may never have conversed even once. Petrarch revealed little about the object of his chaste love, and her true identity has been the source of much debate. Who or what are some potential candidates? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Bison Dele (1969)Dele was a professional basketball player who disappeared at sea in 2002 and is believed to have been killed by his brother. Three years earlier, at age 30 and arguably at the peak of his career, Dele opted out of a $36 million contract and retired from the National Basketball Association. In 2002, he set sail on the South Pacific Ocean with his girlfriend, the boat's captain, and his brother—the only one ever seen or heard from again. How did his brother draw further suspicion after his return? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 There is sorrow enough in the natural wayFrom men and women to fill our day; But when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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like (one's) life depends on it— With maximum, possibly desperate, effort or energy (i.e., as if one is at risk of losing one's life if one fails). More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Chakri Day (2021)Chakri Day is a national holiday in Thailand to commemorate the enthronement of Rama I, who founded the Chakri Dynasty in 1782. He was born Chao Phraya Chakri in 1737 and had become Thailand's leading general when a palace coup took place in Thon Buri. The dynasty he established has headed the country to this day, although the end of absolute monarchy came in 1932. The king was given the title Rama after his death. Ceremonies on April 6 honor his deeds and the founding of Bangkok as the capital. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: rushexigent - A good word to write on letters or packages, since everyone else writes "urgent" or "rush." More... rush candle, rush light - A rush candle or rush light is a candle of feeble power made by dipping the pith of a rush in tallow or other grease. More... spate - A sudden flood or rush, an outpouring. More... debacle - Comes from French debacler, "to unbar, free," with the root sense being "to shatter with one's rod"; its original meaning was "a breaking-up of ice in a river" or a "sudden flood or rush of water carrying debris." More... | |