Daily Content Archive
(as of Wednesday, October 26, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
burgher
| |||||||
| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
|---|---|
Using the Active VoiceYou should always use the active voice if an agent is identifiable or contains information that is relevant to the rest of the sentence. On the other hand, when an agent is unknown or irrelevant, we usually switch to the passive voice and do what to the agent? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
|---|---|
 Trout TicklingTrout tickling is the practice of rubbing the underbelly of a trout in order to put it in a trance-like state that makes it easier to catch by hand. Commonly used in times of economic stress, especially during the 1930s depression era, the technique has been featured in works of literature throughout history—including writings by 3rd century Greek writer Aelian, Shakespeare, and Mark Twain, who described catching catfish in a similar way. In what country is the practice essentially outlawed? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
|---|---|
 Erie Canal Opens (1825)The Erie Canal is a New York waterway that runs between Albany and Buffalo, linking the Hudson River with Lake Erie. It was born out of the need for an all-American water route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast that became evident after the American Revolution. The canal contributed greatly to the development of New York City and the Midwest, allowing for the transport of people and supplies. Commercial traffic on the canal has since dwindled, and it is now used mainly for what purpose? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
|---|---|
 François Mitterrand (1916)Initially a supporter of the Vichy government during World War II, Mitterrand joined the Resistance in 1943. After the war, he held cabinet posts in 11 Fourth Republic governments. He ran unsuccessfully against Charles de Gaulle's government in 1965 but was elected president in 1981 and 1988, after which he strongly promoted European integration. Mitterrand retired in 1995, having served longer than any other French president. Who succeeded him as president of France? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
|---|---|
 There are strings … in the human heart that had better not be vibrated.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
|---|---|
(the) elephant in the room— An obvious truth or fact, especially one regarded as embarrassing or undesirable, that is being intentionally ignored or left unaddressed. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
|---|---|
 Guavaween (2019)Guavaween is a parade and block party with a Latin flavor in Ybor City, a two-square-mile area in Tampa, Florida. The "guava" stands for the tropical American fruit, while the "ween" alludes to the festival's resemblance to Halloween, also observed around this time of year. The parade, with 20 to 50 bands, is led by a woman portraying the mythical "Mama Guava" doing the "Mama Guava Stumble." Many paraders wear costumes lampooning national figures. After the early evening parade, there is partying until the wee hours. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
|---|---|
Today's topic: sininequity, iniquity - Inequity is "injustice, unfairness"; iniquity refers to "immorality, sin, wickedness." More... remission, remit - Remission originally meant forgiveness or pardon for an offense or sin, and remit meant "forgive, pardon." More... reprehensible - Usually applied to things, not people—the sin and not the sinner. More... | |