Wigilia means “to watch” or “keep vigil” in Polish. It takes place on Christmas Eve and commemorates the vigil that the shepherds kept on the night of Christ’s birth, but it’s very possible that the celebration goes back to pre-Christian times. Because some people still cling to the ancient belief that wandering spirits roam the land during the darkest days of the year, it is not uncommon for Poles to make an extra effort to be hospitable at Christmas time, leaving out a pan of warm water and a bowl of nuts and fruits for any unexpected visitors. Discuss
Month: December 2022
James Prescott Joule (1818)
One of the great experimental scientists of the 19th century, Joule is the man for whom the standard mechanical unit of work is named. He was an English physicist who made valuable contributions to the study of heat, electricity, and thermodynamics. His work established the mechanical theory of heat, determined the relationship between heat energy and mechanical energy, and established the first law of thermodynamics. He also applied his intellect to helping operate what family business? Discuss
flip (one's) wig
To react to something, good or bad, with strong emotion. Watch the video
The Good Samaritan Law
Good Samaritan laws protect those who choose to aid people who are injured or ill. The laws are intended to reduce bystanders’ hesitation to assist strangers in emergency situations due to fear of being prosecuted for injury or wrongful death. The law takes its name from the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, in which a man from Samaria helps someone who has been beaten, robbed, and ignored by other passers-by. What country has gained notoriety for its poor treatment of Good Samaritans? Discuss
phloem
George Washington Resigns as Commander-in-Chief (1783)
After demonstrating exemplary leadership as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, George Washington resigned his commission and retired to Mount Vernon, Virginia. By resigning his military post, Washington established the important precedent that civilian-elected officials possess ultimate authority over the armed forces. After a brief retirement, he was elected the country’s first president. Why was he given a posthumous military promotion in 1976? Discuss
Festivus
The holiday of Festivus first originated on the Seinfeld television program in the 1990s. The character Frank Costanza, father of George Costanza, invented the holiday when he found that the usual year-end holidays did not fulfill him. Festivus, he explains, is “for the rest of us.” To mark Festivus, a plain aluminum pole is placed in a bucket of cement. One by one, those present grab the pole and air their grievances about how other people disappointed them in the past year. After this comes the “feats of strength,” in which all those present try to subdue the head of the household. Discuss
Helmut Schmidt (1918)
Schmidt is a German Social Democratic statesman who was the chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. His administration was characterized by a tough approach to the worldwide economic recession of the era. He was committed to improving relations with East Germany and the USSR, and he succeeded in cultivating ties with France, encouraging economic cooperation among western European nations, and maintaining close relations with the US. Why was he the subject of a police inquiry in 2008? Discuss
flap (one's) gums
To chatter or blather. Watch the video
The Lily of the Valley
The lily of the valley, or Convallaria majalis, lives in shady places and has delicate bell-shaped, fragrant white flowers that grow on a stalk between two shiny leaves. This common garden plant is a symbol of humility in religious paintings. It has also long been used medicinally for cardiac disorders—even though it contains poisonous substances and has been labeled unsafe by the US Food and Drug Administration. The lily of the valley is the national flower of what country? Discuss