Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, May 4, 2021)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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conflate
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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WhoseThe interrogative adjectives "what" and "which" can often be used interchangeably, while "whose" is very different. What does "whose" denote? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 NasreddinNasreddin is a semi-historical, legendary wise man and wit who features in the folklore of many peoples of the Middle East and Asia. He is said to have lived in Turkey in the 13th century. As tales about him spread throughout the world, he came to be known by a variety of names and titles. Most of the thousands of Nasreddin stories are humorous anecdotes that can be seen to convey morals or deeper meanings that seemingly transcend cultures and national borders. What are some Nasreddin tales? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Kent State Shootings (1970)In 1970, the US was in the midst of the Vietnam War, and antiwar demonstrations among students were common. When students at Ohio's Kent State University decided to protest the incursion of US forces into Cambodia, no one imagined it would end in tragedy. But National Guard troops called in to disperse the crowd opened fire, killing four and wounding nine others. The shooting sparked nationwide outrage and became a rallying point for antiwar activists. Where else were student protesters killed? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Horace Mann (1796)Mann overcame limited early education to enter law and politics. He became secretary of Massachusetts' new board of education in 1837, at a time when the public school system was in poor condition. In his 12 years there, he established high schools, enhanced teacher training and pay, curbed child labor, and improved facilities and equipment. He fought for free, nonsectarian, universal schooling, greatly advancing education in the US. What quote is engraved on his monument at Antioch College? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willingly avoids the sight of distress.W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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be no slouch— To be very hardworking, enthusiastic, and/or skillful. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition (2025)One of the world's most prestigious music competitions and the largest musical event in Brussels takes place throughout the month of May each year. Open to young competitors from around the world, it focuses on violinists, pianists, singers, and cellists in alternating years. Named for Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, it was started by violinist-composer Eugène Ysaÿe in 1937. The public is invited to attend every stage of the contest, from the initial tests at the Royal Conservatory of Music to the winner's performance at the Beaux Arts Palace. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: materialstaboret - An artist's multi-drawer cabinet table for tools and materials. More... compendium - Latin for "that which is weighed together," it is a complete summary or abridgment or a concise collection of materials—not an all-encompassing or comprehensive work (plural is compendiums or compendia). More... hygroscopic - Describing the ability or tendency of a material to take up moisture readily from the surrounding air or other moist materials. More... molecular gastronomy - The study and application of chemistry, physics, and other scientific principles on cooking processes, preparation, and materials. More... | |