Daily Content Archive
(as of Saturday, November 17, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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open-eyed
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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 History of the KiltMade of pleated wool and wrapped around the wearer's waist, the kilt is the knee-length, skirt-like garment worn by men as part of Scotland's traditional national garb, or Highland dress. Developed in the 17th century, the kilt is worn for ordinary purposes as well as special occasions. Highland dress is the uniform of Scottish regiments in the British army, and kilts were worn into battle as recently as World War II. What nickname did German troops give kilt-clad soldiers in World War I? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Elizabeth I Becomes Queen of England and Ireland (1558)King Henry VIII of England died nine years after the birth of his much-desired male heir, Edward VI. However, Edward died at the age of 15, and his chosen successor—his cousin, Lady Jane Grey—was beheaded after a nine-day rule. Jane was succeeded by Henry VIII's eldest daughter, whose turbulent five-year-reign earned her the nickname "Bloody Mary." Mary died childless, and the crowning of her half-sister, Elizabeth, marked the beginning of an era of stability. How long did Elizabeth reign? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Lee Strasberg (1901)Strasberg was an American theatrical director, teacher, and actor. Expanding upon the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavsky, Strasberg developed the practice of "method acting," in which actors use their own emotional memories as dramatic motivation. As director of the elite Actors Studio in New York City, he trained actors such as Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, and Dustin Hoffman. He had a profound influence on American theater and film. What news did he receive on the day before he died? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few.George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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a kick at the can— An opportunity to do, try, or achieve something. Primarily heard in Canada. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Marshall Islands President's Day (2020)The Republic of the Marshall Islands has designated November 17 as President's Day, a day to remember the nation's first president, Amata Kabua. Kabua started his career as a school teacher and rose to become paramount chief of the Island of Majuro and head of state of the Marshall Islands. He served five terms as president of the Marshall Islands, beginning in 1979 when the country became independent and continuing until his death in 1996. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: lapis lazuliazure stone - Another name for the lapis lazuli. More... lapis lazuli - A sky-blue semiprecious stone, it is pronounced lap-us-LAY-zuh-lee. More... sapphire - From Greek sappheiros, "lapis lazuli" or "blue stone." More... ultramarine - First a blue pigment made from lapis lazuli, imported from Asia by sea, so, in Latin, it was ultramarinus, "beyond the seas." More... | |