Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, July 16, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
colewort
| |||||||
| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
|---|---|
Singular vs. Plural Use of "There"The dummy pronoun "there" can be used in either a singular or plural context. When it is used in a singular context, the correlating nouns and verbs have singular endings. When it is used in a plural context, what endings do the corresponding nouns and verbs have? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
|---|---|
 Sumptuary LawsSumptuary laws are laws directed against overindulgence or extravagance in diet, drink, and dress based on social, religious, or moral grounds. Historically, these statutes often varied according to rank and were mainly used to mark class distinctions and prevent people from assuming the appearance of a superior class. They were also used to stigmatize disfavored groups, who could be required to wear identifying apparel. How rich did one need to be to wear a belt in the Massachusetts Bay Colony? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Saddam Hussein Becomes President of Iraq (1979)Hussein was president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. He joined Iraq's Ba'th Party in 1957 and fled to Egypt after participating in a failed attempt to assassinate the Iraqi prime minister in 1959. He returned to Iraq when the Ba'thists gained power in 1963 but was jailed when they were overthrown. He escaped and helped reinstall the party in 1968. A decade later, he took over the presidency with the aim of replacing Egypt as leader of the Arab world. How many wars did Iraq fight during his tenure? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
|---|---|
 Ginger Rogers (1911)Rogers was an Oscar-winning American actress and dancer—most notably as Fred Astaire's partner. Their first appearance together was in 1933's Flying Down to Rio. Though they were not given star billing, they stole the show and went on to make nine more films together. Rogers also starred in several non-musical roles and, by 1945, was one of the highest paid performers in Hollywood. She was honored by the Kennedy Center in 1992. Why were parts of the event prohibited from being televised? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
|---|---|
 Falsehood is so easy, truth so difficult.George Eliot (1819-1880) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
|---|---|
the other side— Existence after death; the world of the afterlife. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
|---|---|
 Feast of Our Lady of Carmel (2025)Our Lady of Carmel (the Madonna del Carmine) is the patroness of the city of Naples, Italy. Her festival is celebrated with dancing, singing, and magnificent fireworks displays. Brightly decorated wax replicas of human body parts used to be sold at booths near the church, and people suffering from various physical ailments appealed to the Madonna to restore their health by offering her these replicas of the diseased portions of their bodies. Her feast is also observed by Italian Americans in the United States. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
|---|---|
Today's topic: profitRoman holiday - Enjoyment or profit derived from others' discomfort or suffering, based on the gladiator matches enjoyed by ancient Romans. More... bottom line - A reference to the line at the bottom of a financial statement that shows the profit or balance. More... improve - First meant "to make a profit for oneself" or "to employ to advantage; to make profitable use of." More... broker - Originally, a broker or brokour bought wine cheaply in quantity and sold it at a profit; broker came to mean any retailer who did this, or a middleman/agent. More... | |