In the late 1800s, fears of being mistakenly assumed dead and accidentally buried alive led to the invention of “safety coffins.” To avoid such a fate, US President George Washington requested on his deathbed that his burial be delayed to ensure that he had truly died. Premature burial can also be intentional. Saint Oran was buried alive as a human sacrifice in Scotland in the 6th century. Later, he was dug up and found to be alive, but he was supposedly hurriedly reburied after saying what? Discuss
Month: November 2020
malefactor
Definition: (noun) Someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime.
Synonyms: criminal, crook, felon, outlaw.
Usage: A judge having sentenced a malefactor to the penitentiary was proceeding to point out to him the disadvantages of crime and the profit of reformation.
Discuss
Louisa May Alcott
Beth could not reason upon or explain the faith that gave her courage and patience to give up life, and cheerfully wait for death…She could not say, “I’m glad to go,” for life was very sweet for her. She could only sob out, “I try to be willing.” Discuss
implied
subaudition – The act of understanding something that is implied but not overtly expressed; the act of reading between the lines or otherwise understanding a message that is implicit. More…
tacenda, tacit – Tacenda are things not to be mentioned or made public—things better left unsaid; tacit means “unspoken, silent” or “implied, inferred.” More…
Timor-Leste Proclamation of Independence Day
After the East Timorese declared independence from Portugal on November 28, 1975, it took over two decades to fulfill the promise of freedom. Their plans were foiled by Indonesia, which carried out its own occupation of its neighbor between 1975 and 1999. Observances for the November 28 anniversary honor the veterans of the independence movement. State leaders and other dignitaries usually participate in a parade, and the president of the country often bestows medals of honor to distinguish individuals who fought for the country’s freedom. Discuss
give (someone) an out
To provide someone with an excuse or a means of escaping (from something). Watch the video
Crowns of Silla
Established in 57 BCE, the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla lasted for more than a millennium. The nearly impenetrable royal Sillan tombs—located near the modern South Korean city of Gyeongju—have yielded lavish treasures. Among them are a number of fragile, solid gold crowns, crafted with an intricate tree branch motif. Because they are so delicate, they were probably used only for formal occasions or burials. Why did the Sillan practice of opulent burials end by the end of the 6th century? Discuss
rakish
Definition: (adjective) Marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness.
Synonyms: devil-may-care, raffish.
Usage: A black patch over one eye gave him a fearfully rakish look.
Discuss
starts
ptarmic – Describing a substance that starts a sneezing bout. More…
early adopter – A person who starts using a technology or product as soon as it becomes available. More…
prolepsis – Anticipation before something starts is prolepsis. More…
start from scratch – Comes from giving handicaps to some competitors in racing; a contestant who starts from scratch (a line scratched in the turf or gravel) is the one who has no special advantage. More…
Black Friday (United States)
Black Friday usually refers either to the infamous Wall Street Panic of September 24, 1869, when Jay Gould and James Fisk tried to corner the gold market, or to September 19, 1873, when stock failures caused the Panic of 1873. But shoppers and retailers in the United States also refer to the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday because it marks the beginning of the Christmas commercial season and is traditionally a frenetic day of shopping. Discuss