Definition: (noun) A place where goods are stored or deposited and from which they are distributed.
Synonyms: transshipment center.
Usage: Bahrain has been an entrepot of trade between Arabia and India since the second millennium BCE.
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Month: April 2023
Johnson's A Dictionary of the English Language Published (1755)
Written by literary scholar Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language was the first comprehensive English lexicographical work ever undertaken and is among the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language. Remarkably, Johnson completed the work nearly single-handedly over a period of nine years. Unlike most modern lexicographers, he introduced humor into a number of his more than 42,000 definitions. What are some examples? Discuss
Charles Willson Peale (1741)
Peale was an American painter, inventor, and naturalist. After studying painting in London, he returned to America and became the country’s preeminent portrait painter. A captain in the militia during the American Revolution, he painted many portraits of military leaders. Later, he established a portrait gallery, founded the Peale Museum, and even formed the first scientific expedition in American history. Peale is probably best known for his portraits of which historical figure? Discuss
(the) elephant in the room
An obvious truth or fact, especially one regarded as embarrassing or undesirable, that is being intentionally ignored or left unaddressed. Watch the video
The Apgar Score
The Apgar Score is a system of evaluating a newborn’s physical condition, generally done at one and five minutes after birth, where a value from 0 to 2 is assigned to each of five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, response to stimuli, and skin color. The values are summed up and the resulting score ranges from 0 to 10. Scores below 3 are generally regarded as critically low, with 4 to 7 fairly low, and over 7 generally normal. What does the acronym APGAR stand for? Discuss
redoubt
Public Kinetoscope Parlor Opens in New York (1894)
The kinetoscope is an early motion picture exhibition device that creates the illusion of movement by conveying a filmstrip of sequential images over a light source with a high-speed shutter. The first public kinetoscope parlor was opened in New York City in 1894 and introduced the basic approach that would become the standard for all cinematic projection before the advent of video. The venue had 10 machines, each showing a different short movie. How much did it cost to view all 10 films? Discuss
Frank Serpico (1936)
Serpico is a retired New York City police officer who is most famous for being the first officer in US history to testify about widespread police corruption. Just months before he testified in 1971, he was shot in the face during a drug bust under suspicious circumstances, leading some to believe that corrupt officers had set him up. Shortly thereafter, Serpico, a film based on his life and starring Al Pacino, was released. When asked why he testified, what did Serpico respond? Discuss
stand on the shoulders of giants
To make discoveries, insights, or progress due to the discoveries or previous work of great minds that have come before. Watch the video
Amazon.com
Amazon.com is the largest and one of the most widely known e-commerce shopping sites on the Web. The company was founded as an online bookstore by Jeff Bezos in 1995. It soon diversified its product lines, adding DVDs, electronics, furniture, and more. Its initial “slow growth” business plan was effective: when the Internet “bubble” burst and many e-companies went out of business, Amazon persevered. Why was the company sued by Barnes & Noble and Walmart in the late 1990s? Discuss