Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, September 30, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Adverbs of Indefinite FrequencyThe frequency adverbs that are used most often are adverbs of indefinite frequency. As the name suggests, these are adverbs that give a sense of frequency but do not specify exactly how often something happens or is the case. "Usually" is an example of an adverb of indefinite frequency. What are some others? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 The Indian Mutiny of 1857In 1857, Indian troops, or sepoys, in the service of the British East India Company revolted after being issued new rifle cartridges thought to have been lubricated with a combination of cow and pig fat, rendering them religiously impure to both Hindus and Muslims. Though the mutiny began among the sepoys, it grew into a widespread uprising against British rule in India. Delhi was even seized by the rebels before they were ultimately defeated. What happened in the aftermath of the rebellion? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Botswana Gains Independence from Britain (1966)The 1867 discovery of gold in Botswana excited interest from several European powers. In 1885, the British created the Bechuanaland Protectorate there as a defense against the Boers. Although this spawned no nationalist movement, Britain granted it internal self-government in 1965 and full independence as Botswana the next year. Seretse Khama became its first president. Botswana's economy has developed rapidly since independence. Why is a member of the main tribe of Botswana called a Motswana? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Jacques Necker (1732)French financier and statesman Jacques Necker retired in the early 1780s. Returning to Paris in 1787, Necker was soon exiled from the city for engaging in public controversy over financial policy. In 1788, Louis XVI recalled Necker as director-general of finances and minister of state. Supporting reforms, he was acclaimed by the populace. When his enemies at court again secured his dismissal in 1789, the populace stormed the Bastille on July 14. What happened to Necker? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 It is a good lesson—though it may often be a hard one—for a man who has dreamed of literary fame ... to step aside out of the narrow circle in which his claims are recognized, and to find how utterly devoid of all significance, beyond that circle, is all that he achieves, and all he aims at.Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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outside the box— Outside of or beyond what is considered usual, traditional, or conventional. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Rosh Hashanah (2019)Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and the first two of the 10 High Holy Days that conclude with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It is a time of prayer and penitence. The story of Abraham is read in the synagogue, and the blowing of the shofar ("ram's horn") serves as a reminder that although Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, God allowed him to sacrifice a ram instead. Jews celebrate the New Year by eating a special rounded loaf of challah, symbolic of the continuity of life, as well as apples dipped in honey, symbols of sweetness and health. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: pleaseamuse-bouche, amuse-guele - Amuse-bouche and amuse-guele both mean literally "something to please the mouth," and both refer to an appetizer or pre-meal tidbit. More... like - Comes from Germanic likam, "appearance, body, form"; the verb came from likojam, which, as like, originally meant "please." More... love - From Old English lufu, connected with Sanskrit lubh, "to desire," and Latin lubere, "to please." More... | |