Guinea was ruled by a dictatorship led by Sekou Touré, who ruled the small West African nation for over 25 years (1958-1984). After Touré’s death, there was a bloodless coup on April 3, 1984. This ushered in what many Guineans refer to as the Second Republic, led by Lansana Conté. The observation of Second Republic Day is largely orchestrated by the government. In honor of the coup’s 24th anniversary in 2008, Conté and Guinean prime minister Lansana Kouyate were guests of honor at a wreath-laying ceremony at a martyrs’ memorial located in the center of Conakry, the capital city. Discuss
Month: April 2021
like attracts like
People tend to seek out or be attracted to those that are similar or like-minded. Watch the video
Fan Death
There is a common belief in South Korea that falling asleep in a closed room with an electric fan running can lead to death. Cases of suspected fan death are sometimes reported by the media, and new fans are equipped with automatic timers as a precaution. Though fan death is technically possible, as the use of a fan can hasten dehydration and thus lead to heat exhaustion, the more popular ideas about how fans might kill people have all been debunked by science. What are some of those theories? Discuss
doodad
Definition: (noun) Something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known.
Synonyms: gizmo, gubbins, thingamabob, thingamajig, thingummy, whatchamacallit, whatsis, widget, doohickey, doojigger, gimmick.
Usage: My twin sister and I have a special bond, so when she asks to borrow my doodad, I know exactly what she is talking about.
Discuss
Charlotte Bronte
It is not violence that best overcomes hate—nor vengeance that most certainly heals injury. Discuss
healthy
healthy, healthful – Healthy is a positive descriptive of a person’s (or personified thing’s) physical state; healthful is used of something that favorably affects or promotes that state. More…
vegete – Describing something healthy and active, flourishing in respect to health and vigor. More…
orthorexia – An obsession with eating only “healthy” food. More…
insane, insanity – Latin sanus, “healthy,” is part of insane and insanity. More…
International Children's Book Day
This day, which is observed by countries all over the world, is held on Hans Christian Andersen‘s birthday, April 2, because the Danish author’s stories have been favorites among children of all nationalities. Celebrations include contests in which children illustrate their favorite books. Every two years the International Board on Books for Young People sponsors the Hans Christian Andersen medals, which are awarded to a children’s book author and a children’s book illustrator for their contributions to children’s literature. Discuss
like rats abandoning a sinking ship
With great haste and having only personal well-being in mind. (Typically said of people who begin abandoning something or someone that is failing or about to fail.) Watch the video
Cockney Rhyming Slang
Cockney rhyming slang has its roots in London’s East End, where it was likely developed to confuse outsiders. It entails substituting a short phrase for a word with which it rhymes—like “butcher’s hook” for “look”—and then dropping the part that rhymes, resulting in seemingly nonsensical constructions such as “Have a butcher’s.” Many of these sayings have since entered the common lexicon, though speakers are generally unaware of their origins. How was the phrase “put up your dukes” derived? Discuss