In 1985, the United Nations established December 5 as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. The Assembly hoped that in so doing, it would draw favorable attention to the contribution made by volunteers, and thus inspire more people to serve the world community as volunteers. Discuss
Month: December 2021
mess of pottage
Something of little, trivial, or no value but which appears to be attractive or valuable on first reckoning. An allusion to Esau in Genesis 25:29–32, who sells to Jacob his birthright to his family’s estate for a bowl of lentil stew (pottage). Watch the video
Shiraz
Shiraz is a southern Iranian city near the extensive ruins of ancient Persepolis—the capital of Persia established by Darius I and plundered by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. In the 18th century, Karim Khan briefly made Shiraz the capital of Persia, adorning it with fine buildings. Shiraz has long been regarded as an economic and cultural center of Iran, famous for its eponymous wine, gardens, carpets, shrines, and mosques, as well as its poets and philosophers. Which poets are buried here? Discuss
akin
lout
memory lane
A set or series of memories of one’s past life, likened to a roadway that one may visit or take a tour of. (Used primarily in the phrase “stroll/take a trip/walk etc. down memory lane.”) Watch the video
Eusociality
Eusociality is a key concept in sociobiology, which is the study of the genetic and evolutionary bases of social behavior. Coined in 1966, the term “eusocial” describes an animal society—like that of bees, ants, shrimp, sponges, or others—largely made up of sterile individuals that work on behalf of the few reproductive members of the group, or in some cases the only reproductive member, and cooperatively care for the young. What are the only truly eusocial mammals? Discuss
mire
sluggish
lusk – Means lazy or sluggish. More…
phlegmatic – First meant “abounding in phlegm” and now more commonly means “not easily excited; lacking enthusiasm; dull, sluggish”—supposedly the type of character one has from having an overabundance of phlegm. More…
sulk – A back-formation of sulky, from obsolete sulke, “sluggish.” More…
International Day of Disabled Persons
The years 1983-92 marked the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, a period during which great strides were made in raising awareness and enacting laws to improve the situation of individuals with disabilities. At the conclusion of this 10-year observance, December 3 was proclaimed the International Day of Disabled Persons. The UN General Assembly appealed to its members to observe this day with activities and events designed to promote the advantages of integrating disabled persons into every area of social, economic, and political life. Discuss