Daily Content Archive
(as of Monday, April 6, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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parochial
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Using "Can"The modal auxiliary verb "can" is used most often and most literally to express when a person or thing is physically, mentally, or functionally able to do something. What happens to "can" when it is used with "not" to become negative? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 MoonshiningHome-distillation of alcohol came to be called "moonshining" in English speaking countries because it was usually conducted at night to avoid arrest for the production of illegal liquor. Home-distillation is, however, a world-wide phenomenon and is not illegal everywhere. In New Zealand, for example, stills are legally sold openly on the market along with instruction manuals. What used to be a common, perhaps unreliable, folk test for determining the presence of lead in moonshine? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Petrarch Falls in Love (1327)Petrarch claimed to have first laid eyes on his beloved Laura, who was to inspire his great vernacular love lyrics, at the church of Sainte-Claire d'Avignon on Good Friday 1327. Over the next 20 years, the Italian humanist poet wrote hundreds of sonnets and odes about the lovely Laura, with whom he may never have conversed even once. Petrarch revealed little about the object of his chaste love, and her true identity has been the source of much debate. Who or what are some potential candidates? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Bison Dele (1969)Dele was a professional basketball player who disappeared at sea in 2002 and is believed to have been killed by his brother. Three years earlier, at age 30 and arguably at the peak of his career, Dele opted out of a $36 million contract and retired from the National Basketball Association. In 2002, he set sail on the South Pacific Ocean with his girlfriend, the boat's captain, and his brother—the only one ever seen or heard from again. How did his brother draw further suspicion after his return? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 If man had created man, he would be ashamed of his performance.Mark Twain (1835-1910) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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like (one's) life depends on it— With maximum, possibly desperate, effort or energy (i.e., as if one is at risk of losing one's life if one fails). More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Chakri Day (2021)Chakri Day is a national holiday in Thailand to commemorate the enthronement of Rama I, who founded the Chakri Dynasty in 1782. He was born Chao Phraya Chakri in 1737 and had become Thailand's leading general when a palace coup took place in Thon Buri. The dynasty he established has headed the country to this day, although the end of absolute monarchy came in 1932. The king was given the title Rama after his death. Ceremonies on April 6 honor his deeds and the founding of Bangkok as the capital. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: keyboardfallboard - The hinged protective covering that protects the keyboard of a piano when it is not being played. More... finger board - The part of a stringed instrument against which the fingers press the strings to vary the tone—as well as the keyboard of a piano, organ, etc. More... home key - The home key is either of two keys on a keyboard acting as the base position for one's fingers in touch-typing (left F, right J). More... octothorpe - The pound key on a keyboard or keypad is technically an octothorpe. More... | |