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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 Héctor Lavoe (1946)Lavoe was a Puerto Rican salsa singer. He moved to New York City at age 17 and found fame performing with acts like Orquesta New York and Willie Colón's band. Lavoe recorded many hits, including "Mi Gente," but with success came drug addiction and tragedy. After the deaths of his father, son, and mother-in-law and an HIV diagnosis, Lavoe jumped off a hotel balcony, likely in a suicide attempt. He survived and died of AIDS-related complications in 1993. Why were his remains later exhumed? 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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 Botswana Independence Day (2025)Botswana became independent from Great Britain on September 30, 1966. Since 1885, the region had been a British colony called the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The biggest Independence Day festivities are held in the capital city of Gaborone, and include the singing of the national anthem, "Fatshe La Rona" (Blessed Country). More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: jerkflounce - Can mean a sudden fling or jerk of the body or a limb. More... hike - As a walk, it evolved from its original meaning of "to jerk or pull" (oneself along). More... jerk - As in jerked meat (e.g. beef jerky), it is from American Spanish and Quechua charqui, "dried flesh." More... weight lifting, power lifting - Weight lifting is specifically the press, the clean and jerk, and the snatch; power lifting is the bench press, squat, and dead lift. More... | |