Quote of the Day: July 26, 2020
If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)
If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)
titter Definition: (verb) To laugh in a restrained, nervous way. Synonyms: giggle Usage: Mention sex therapy and most people will titter with embarrassment. Discuss.
Thomas Eakins (1844) Perhaps the greatest American artist of the 19th century, Eakins lived, worked, and taught in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for most of his life. There, he painted The Gross Clinic in 1875. Depicting a surgical operation, it was initially criticized for being too realistic, but it is now seen as his masterpiece. Eakins was an influential art teacher, but his decision to use nude models of both sexes in mixed-gender classes caused an uproar. What incident led to his resignation in 1886? More…
Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself. Henry James (1843-1916)
egregious Definition: (adjective) Conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible. Synonyms: flagrant, glaring, crying, rank, gross Usage: His account of that night was full of egregious lies, and I was astonished that anyone could believe his testimony. Discuss.
Amelia Mary Earhart (1897) After attending an air show in 1920, Earhart, who had previously worked as a military nurse and a social worker, decided she wanted to become a pilot. She bought her first plane the following year. In 1928, she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic as a passenger, and four years later, she became the first female pilot to make the trip solo. In 1937, her plane mysteriously vanished over the Pacific as she and a copilot attempted to circumnavigate the globe. What happened to them? More…
Grammar, n.: A system of pitfalls thoughtfully prepared for the feet for the self-made man, along the path by which he advances to distinction. Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)
hangdog Definition: (adjective) Downcast, furtive, or guilty in appearance or manner. Synonyms: guilty, shamefaced Usage: His hangdog look and shamed silence were proof enough of his guilt. Discuss.
Emil Jannings (1884) Jannings was an acclaimed silent film actor who, in 1929, won an Academy Award for best actor—becoming the first person presented with an Oscar. He earned the award for his performances in two films, one of which, The Way of All Flesh, is now considered a “lost film” since no copies of it are known to exist. The advent of sound in film effectively ended his Hollywood career, as he had a thick German accent. What scandalous association doomed any chance he later had of making a comeback? More…
Misfortune, n.: The kind of fortune that never misses. Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)
gallivant Definition: (verb) Wander aimlessly in search of pleasure. Synonyms: gad, jazz around Usage: Mike spent years gallivanting around and indulging his every whim before settling down and entering the workforce. Discuss.
Edward Hopper (1882) Hopper was an American painter who supported himself as a commercial illustrator until he gained recognition in the mid-1920s with his now-iconic scenes of American life. His dramatically lit works often feature still, anonymous figures inside geometric buildings and evoke a haunting sense of isolation that was his hallmark. His famous Nighthawks depicts a mostly empty, brightly lit diner on an otherwise dark, desolate street at night. What was said to be Hopper’s favorite thing to paint? More…
God is for men and religion is for women. Joseph Conrad (1857-1924)
convalesce Definition: (verb) To return to health and strength after illness. Synonyms: recover, recuperate Usage: After two weeks in the hospital, I was sent home to convalesce for three months. Discuss.
Isaac Stern (1920) Born in Ukraine, Stern came to the US as an infant and began studying violin as a child. He made his New York debut at 17 and toured extensively after World War II. A cultural ambassador, he performed in the Soviet Union and China as one of the world’s top violin virtuosos. In 1960, he formed a famous trio with pianist Eugene Istomin and cellist Leonard Rose. Stern helped establish the National Endowment for the Arts and is noted for having saved what landmark institution from demolition? More…
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