Definition: (noun) Any of various mollusks of the class Gastropoda, such as the snail, slug, cowrie, or limpet, characteristically having a single, usually coiled shell or no shell at all, a ventral muscular foot for locomotion, and eyes and feelers located on a distinct head.
Synonyms: univalve.
Usage: The sound of a shell crushing beneath his foot told him that he had just caused a gastropod’s demise.
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Month: August 2022
42nd Street Opens on Broadway (1980)
42nd Street tells the story of an up-and-coming chorus girl from Allentown, Pennsylvania, pursuing a Broadway career during the Great Depression. This hugely successful stage musical premiered on August 25, 1980, at New York City’s Winter Garden Theatre. Known for its elaborate tap dances and songs like “We’re in the Money,” it won Tony Awards for Best Choreography and Best Musical and saw a Broadway revival in 2001. What tragedy marred 42 Street‘s opening night? Discuss
James Lick (1796)
A piano maker by training, Lick spent many years in South America before returning to the US in 1848. He settled in San Francisco, where he soon abandoned the piano-making trade in favor of real estate. Shortly after his arrival, gold was discovered in the region, and Lick made a fortune in the housing boom that followed. The wealthiest man in California at the time of his death, he left most of his estate to social and scientific causes. Under what scientific instrument is he buried? Discuss
at the end of (one's) tether
Completely worn out, exasperated, or exhausted; having no more patience, endurance, or energy left. Watch the video
The Hoover Dam
Located on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona, the Hoover Dam is 726 feet (221 m) high and 1,244 feet (379 m) long. It was built between 1931 and 1936 by the US Bureau of Reclamation and was named for President Herbert Hoover in 1947. In addition to supplying a great deal of hydroelectric power, the dam provides for flood control, river regulation, and improved navigation. In 1985, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. What was the dam called before it was named for Hoover? Discuss
flunky
Potato Chips First Prepared (1853)
Before they became a mass-produced snack food, potato chips were chef-cooked restaurant fare. It is believed that chef George Crum created the original potato chip recipe at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York. In an attempt to please an unhappy customer, Crum decided to slice the potatoes very thin, fry them until crisp, and season them with extra salt. The customer was delighted, and thus “Saratoga Chips” were born. According to some accounts, who was the difficult customer? Discuss
Ukraine Independence Day
On this day in 1991, just after a failed coup in Moscow, Ukraine declared its independence from the USSR. On December 1, 1991, 90 percent of the people voted for independence. Discuss
Duke Kahanamoku (1890)
Kahanamoku, known as the “Big Kahuna,” was an Olympic champion swimmer who is generally credited with introducing the modern sport of surfing to the West, starting with Australia and California about 1912. He revolutionized sprint swimming with the flutter kick and became the first person to be inducted into both the Swimming Hall of Fame and the Surfing Hall of Fame. On dry land, he had a brief movie career and was sheriff of Honolulu, Hawaii. He won admiration for what heroic act in 1925? Discuss
at top speed
As fast as something or someone can go. Watch the video