Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, September 28, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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prerogative
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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WhoseThe interrogative adjectives "what" and "which" can often be used interchangeably, while "whose" is very different. What does "whose" denote? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Ladder of Divine AscentOne of the most widely read books among Eastern Orthodox Christians, The Ladder of Divine Ascent was composed by Christian monk John Climacus around 600 CE and is addressed to members of Christian monastic movements. The work is divided into 30 parts, or "steps,” that describe how to bring one's soul closer to God, as if climbing a ladder. The book discusses virtues, vices, and the means by which to attain the highest degree of religious perfection. What do the 30 steps represent? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Paddington Tram Depot Fire (1962)In 1962, the Paddington Tram Depot in Brisbane, Australia, and 65 of its trams were destroyed in one of the largest fires in the city's history. The strain that the destruction put on local transportation resources is generally considered to have brought about the beginning of the end for Brisbane's tram system, which closed in 1969. After the fire, parts were salvaged from the destroyed trams and incorporated into new ones. What mythical creature adorns the trams bearing the salvaged parts? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Ed Sullivan (1901)Famed American TV host Ed Sullivan started out as a journalist and gossip columnist but was hired by CBS to host the variety program that eventually became The Ed Sullivan Show because of his talent for discovering interesting performers. The program, featuring diverse entertainment, became a national institution for over 20 years, while Sullivan's terse introductions of guests and distinctive mannerisms made him a popular target for comedians. What acts were banned from Sullivan's show? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Once conform, once do what other people do because they do it, and a lethargy steals over all the finer nerves and faculties of the soul. She becomes all outer show and inward emptiness; dull, callous, and indifferent.Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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creature of habit— One who prefers the comfort and reliability of routine and habitual behavior. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Pitra Visarjan Amavasya (2019)During this two-week festival in India, no male family member is allowed to shave, nor is it permissible to cut hair, pare nails, or wear new clothes. It is a time for honoring ancestors by making special offerings of food and water, especially khir, or rice boiled in milk. Brahmans (priests, members of the highest Hindu caste) are often invited to partake of these special foods in the belief that they will ensure that the offerings reach the souls of departed family members. It is usually the eldest son or senior member of the family who performs the rituals associated with this festival. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: theatrebox office - An office in a theatre for booking seats, originally from "hiring a box." More... in the wings - An expression from the theatre, referring to the areas on the sides of the stage hidden from the audience. More... scenery, scenic - Scenery was originally theatrical—"a stage depiction of nature"—and it came to be applied to nature itself; scenic first pertained to the theatre and meant "dramatic, theatrical." More... | |