Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, January 25, 2018)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Using Idioms that Start with PrepositionsMost idioms that start with prepositions are prepositional phrases and consist of a preposition followed by a noun or noun phrase. How can this type of prepositional idiom be used in a sentence? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 ValkyriesIn Norse mythology, the valkyries are maidens sent by Odin to select worthy warriors slain in battle. Valkyries, whose name is derived from an Old Norse word meaning "choosers of the slain," are said to have the power to cause the death of warriors they dislike or guard the lives of those they favor. According to various myths, they are either deities or mortals with supernatural powers. Where do the valkyries bring the warriors they deem worthy? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 First Emmy Awards for Excellence in Television (1949)The Emmy Awards are given for outstanding achievement in US television. They are presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which was founded in 1946 and which held the first award ceremony in 1949. Its members vote on outstanding programs, actors, directors, and writers in such categories as drama, comedy, and variety. The Emmy's name is taken from the nickname "immy" for the image orthicon, a television camera tube. Who won the very first Emmy? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Anne of Brittany (1477)Upon her father's death in 1488, Anne became the sovereign duchess of Brittany—and her hand in marriage became very valuable. When she was forced to become queen of France by marrying Charles VIII at age 14, her marriage contract stipulated that whichever spouse survived the longest could keep Brittany. Charles died first, but Anne was then forced to marry his successor. Until her death, she fought in vain to preserve Brittany's autonomy within France. Who was technically her first husband? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 If a man's character is to be abused ... there's nobody like a relation to do the business.William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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low man on the ladder— The person (not necessarily male) with the least amount of experience, authority, and/or influence in a social or corporate hierarchy. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Bhishma Ashtami (2018)In Hindu mythology Bhishma was the son of King Shantanu. Shantanu then married a beautiful young maiden named Satyavati, who had two grandchildren by a son who had been born before she married the king. In the battle between the two groups of offspring, Bhishma was badly wounded. He waited on his death-bed of arrows for 58 days, during which he delivered many religious discourses. To this day, he is considered a great example of self-denial, loyalty, and devotion. During the festival held in his honor, libations are offered to Bhishma with barley, sesame, flowers, and water from the sacred Ganges River. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: ruleslect - A regional or social variety within a language, a form of speech defined by a homogenous set of rules. More... precisian - An overly precise person, a strict observer of rules and procedures. More... ring - Boxing started off in circles, and when the Marquess of Queensbury introduced a set of rules in 1867, he also introduced the roped-off square, which continued to be called the "ring." More... mistress - First meant "a woman who rules or has control," or a "woman who employs others, as servants." More... | |