Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, November 17, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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crosspatch
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Making Infinitives NegativeTo make an infinitive or infinitive phrase negative, we use the word "not" before the infinitive. We can also put greater emphasis on "not" by placing it after "to." This creates what is known as a "split infinitive"—an infinitive that has an adverb between "to" and the base form of the verb. Is it ever acceptable to use split infinitives? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Rocket-Propelled GrenadeThe term rocket-propelled grenade is actually a misnomer stemming from the Russian acronym for a handheld anti-tank grenade-launcher. The RPG, developed by the Soviets during WWII, is a low-cost, low-tech, direct fire, portable weapon used primarily against unarmored or medium-armored vehicles and personnel. Though it is largely ineffective against heavily armored vehicles and has a low level of accuracy, the RPG has become a favored weapon in what modern conflicts? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 First Attempted Assassination of Umberto I of Italy (1878)The son of Victor Emmanuel II, Umberto I was king of Italy from 1878 to 1900. Increasingly authoritarian, he favored imperialistic and pro-German policies and disregarded the recommendations of parliamentary leaders. His orientation helped lead to the conclusion of the Triple Alliance. Facing increasing social unrest, he supported the imposition of martial law and created a period of turmoil that culminated in three attempts on his life. He survived the first two. Who was the third assassin? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Rock Hudson (1925)Hudson was an American actor who worked at odd jobs before making his film debut in 1948. His wholesome good looks made him a popular star in Douglas Sirk melodramas, and his comedic talents were displayed in a series of romantic comedies costarring Doris Day. He appeared in over 70 films and TV shows during the course of his career. His death from AIDS in 1985 greatly increased awareness of the disease. What notable film roles did Hudson reportedly turn down to film A Farewell to Arms? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Morals are an acquirement, like music, like a foreign language, like piety, poker, paralysis, no man is born with them.Mark Twain (1835-1910) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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gentleman's agreement— A legally non-binding arrangement that is guaranteed only by a verbal or mutually understood agreement by the parties involved. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Festival Indígena (Jayuya Indian Festival) (2017)The Jayuya Indian Festival was started in 1969, when new traces of the Taíno Indian culture were discovered in and around Jayuya, Puerto Rico. Festival events include Indian ceremonies and dances as well as concerts featuring fotutos (conch shells) as instruments. There is a ceremonial Taino ball game that resembles soccer, and a village (yukayeque) of thatched-roof huts that enables visitors to see how the Indians lived. Visitors can attend lectures on the Taino language and customs or take a tour of the caves containing the Indian drawings. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: incapableimpassible, impassable - Impassible is incapable of feeling or suffering; impassable is not capable of being passed. More... impregnable - Means "incapable of being taken by force" (from French prendre, "seize"). More... indefatigable - Means "incapable of being wearied." More... inimitable - Means "unique; incapable of being imitated." More... | |