Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, June 9, 2025)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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pennant
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Gradable AdverbsWe can only make comparisons using "gradable adverbs," meaning adverbs that are able to move up and down on a scale of intensity. The majority of adverbs are gradable. As with comparative adjectives, we can state differences in scale by using what words and phrases before the comparative adverb? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Martian TerraformingSince the concept of terraforming—making a planet's environment suitable for human habitation—was first proposed, Mars has been one of the primary hypothetical candidates for its application. Although Mars may have had a relatively earthlike environment early in its history, experts disagree on whether present-day Mars can be adapted to support human life. Terraforming Mars would require at least two major changes: building up the atmosphere and heating it. How could such changes be achieved? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Donald Duck Debuts in The Little Wise Hen (1934)Clad in his signature sailor shirt and cap, the perennially pants-less cartoon character Donald Duck made his debut in Disney's The Wise Little Hen. His comically short temper and distinct voice quickly endeared him to audiences, and he became a regular character in Mickey Mouse cartoons. Donald remains quite popular in Scandinavia, as evidenced by the Christmas Eve tradition of watching a TV special featuring him. What Academy Award-winning 1943 cartoon showed Donald saluting Hitler? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Cole Porter (1891)Though pushed by his grandfather to pursue law, Porter studied music at Harvard and in Paris. A gifted composer and witty lyricist, he wrote a dazzling series of successful film scores and Broadway musicals from the 1920s to the 1950s, including the musicals Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate. His most popular songs include "Night and Day" and "Let's Do It." A 1937 accident required him to undergo more than 30 operations, but he continued composing until 1958. Why did he stop? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 It is a true saying that a man must eat a peck of salt with his friend before he knows him.Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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mooch off (of) (someone or something)— To ask for or obtain (something) through the charity of someone or something; to sponge off someone or something else. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 St. Columba's Day (2025)Along with St. Bridget and St. Patrick, St. Columba (c. 521-597) is a patron saint of Ireland. Although he led an exemplary life, traveling all over Ireland to set up churches, schools, and monasteries, he is chiefly remembered for his self-imposed exile to the island of Iona off the Scottish coast. He landed at Iona on the eve of Pentecost, and proceeded to found a monastery and school from which he and his disciples preached the gospel throughout Scotland. Although he had been forbidden to see his native country again, he returned several years later. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: reptilereptile, amphibian - A reptile has dry, scaly skin, while an amphibian has moist skin. More... herptile - Another word for reptile or amphibian. More... spear - The sting of a reptile or insect. More... herpetology - The branch of zoology dealing with amphibians and reptiles, based on Greek herpeton, "creeping thing." More... | |