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https://store.steampowered.com/app/390290/Bulb_Boy/ Bulb Boy is currently free on Steam.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/862740/OneShift/ OneShift is currently free on Steam. https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/soft-drift-switch/ Soft Drift is currently free on Nintendo Switch.

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/bendy-and-the-ink-machine-60cf5a Bendy and the Ink Machine is currently free on Epic Games. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/five-nights-at-freddys-into-the-pit-99c563 FIve Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit is currently free on Epic Games. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/bendy-and-the-ink-machine-android-4fc7c4 https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/bendy-and-the-ink-machine-ios-eece7b Bendy and the Ink Machine is currently free on Epic Games for Android and iOS devices. https://store.steampowered.com/app/439250/Space_Pilgrim_Episode_III_Delta_Pavonis/ Space Pilgrim Episode III: Delta Pavonis is currently free on Steam.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/569610/Distant_Space/ Distant Space is currently free on Steam. https://store.steampowered.com/app/503560/911_Operator/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/606970/911_Operator__First_Response/ 911 Operator and First Response DLC ares currently free on Steam. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/fear-the-spotlight-97656f Fear the Spotlight is currently free on Epic Games. https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/doodle-farm-breeds-and-beasts-android-9c6b12 https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/doodle-farm-breeds-and-beasts-ios-a11512 Doodle Farm: Breeds and Beasts is currently free on Epic Games for Android and iOS devices.

Fact of the Day - THE TITANIC Did you know... The ‘Titanic’ didn’t sink immediately on the early morning of April 15, 1912. On April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic collided with an iceberg, kicking off one of the 20th century’s most devastating civilian catastrophes. But the date typically cited for the ship’s sinking is April 15. And that’s because, as anyone who’s seen James Cameron’s Titanic (1997) already knows, the vessel didn’t plunge immediately to its icy doom—the whole process took a good two hours and change. Ship Meets Iceberg The starboard side of the Titanic brushed up against the iceberg at 11:40 p.m. the night of April 14, causing enough damage that at least five watertight compartments in the hull began to fill with water. After a brief investigation, the ship’s chief designer Thomas Andrews determined that they wouldn’t be able to stay afloat, and by midnight, the crew had started preparing the lifeboats. The scene over the next two hours gradually escalated into pandemonium as passengers were roused from their berths and loaded—women and children first—into a fleet of lifeboats that clearly couldn’t accommodate everyone. At about 2 a.m., the ship’s bow had tipped so far beneath the surface that its stern was partially above the water, and at 2:17 a.m., wireless operator Jack Phillips transmitted one last distress call. Beneath the Surface Over the next three or so minutes, the lights would shut off, and the bow’s downward trajectory would force the stern to break from the ship. It’s generally believed that the bow started to sink, and the stern moved into a vertical position before sinking, too. By 2:20 a.m., the Titanic had vanished. As for how long it took for the ship to actually hit the ocean floor, it depends on whom you ask. In his book The Discovery of the Titanic, Robert Ballard—the oceanographer who discovered the wreck—estimated that the descent may have lasted just six minutes, though he made it clear that “there are simply too many variables involved” to be sure. Where Did the Titanic Sink? The Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean about 370 miles southeast of Newfoundland. Its rough position wasn’t a mystery—after all, ships showed up to rescue survivors in the area. But technology to locate lost shipwrecks wasn’t very advanced in 1912, and it would be another 73 years before Ballard and his team found the vessel some 13,000 feet under the surface. Source: How Long Did It Take for the ‘Titanic’ to Sink?

What's the Word: HYDROMANCY pronunciation: [HI-drə-man-see] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, 14th century Meaning: 1. Divination by means of signs derived from the appearance of water and its movements. Examples: "She was known for her ability to predict a baby's birth date with hydromancy." "The deep crystal bowl was reserved for the practice of hydromancy." About Hydromancy “Hydro” comes from the Greek for water, and “-mancy” refers to divination, or supernatural means of seeing the future. Hydromancy uses water to practice this art, but there are other forms of “-mancy.” Pyromancy uses fire, rhabdomancy uses a wand, and oneiromancy concerns your dreams. Did you Know? Spells and sorcery might not be your thing, but you’ve likely seen an example of hydromancy in a movie. A wizard or magician will cast a spell over a bubbling cauldron, or look into a bowl of water to tell the future. Using water as a form of divination is hydromancy.

Fact of the Day - BARBARIC BUTTER Did you know... Our friends in ancient Rome indulged in a lot of activities that we would find unseemly today — including and especially gladiators fighting to the death — but they drew the line at eating butter. To do so was considered barbaric, with Pliny the Elder going so far as to call butter “the choicest food among barbarian tribes.” In addition to a general disdain for drinking too much milk, Romans took issue with butter specifically because they used it for treating burns and thus thought of it as a medicinal salve, not a food. They weren’t alone in their contempt. The Greeks also considered the dairy product uncivilized, and “butter eater” was among the most cutting insults of the day. In both cases, this can be partly explained by climate — butter didn’t keep as well in warm southern climates as it did in northern Europe, where groups such as the Celts gloried in their butter. Instead, the Greeks and Romans relied on olive oil, which served a similar purpose. To be fair, though, Romans considered anyone who lived beyond the Empire’s borders (read: most of the world) to be barbarians, so butter eaters were in good company. Nero didn’t actually fiddle while Rome burned. It would have been impossible for him to do so, as the fiddle didn’t exist yet. That’s not to say that Nero was a good emperor (or person), however. In addition to murdering his mother, first wife, and possibly his second wife as well, Nero may have even started the infamous fire that burned for six days in 64 CE and destroyed 70% of the city so that he could expand his Golden Palace and nearby gardens. (Or at least, that’s what some of the populace and some ancient writers suspected.) For all that, Rome’s fifth emperor wasn’t entirely reviled during his time — and it’s been suggested that his cruelty was at least somewhat exaggerated by later historians who were looking to smear his dynastic line, known as the Julio-Claudians. And he was a gifted musician who played the cithara, an ancient stringed instrument similar to a lyre — just not the fiddle. Source: The ancient Romans thought eating butter was barbaric.

What's the Word: BUSKIN pronunciation: [BUS-kən] Part of speech: noun Origin: Old French, 16th century Meaning: 1. (Mainly historical) A calf-high or knee-high boot of cloth or leather. 2. A thick-soled laced boot worn by an ancient Athenian tragic actor to gain height. Examples: "Martha dressed in period costume down to her feet, on which she wore leather buskins." "Wearing buskins onstage is generally seen as a nod to classical Greek tragedy." About Buskin Though the etymology of “buskin” is debated, the term bears strong resemblance to the 15th- and 16th-century words “brouzequin” (French), “borsegui” (Catalan), and “borzacchino” (Italian), all of which describe boots of some kind. However, others believe “buskin” is actually a variation on “buckskin,” which describes a kind of leather out of which buskins might have been made. “Buckskin” dates back to the 15th century or earlier. Did you Know? Buskins are so closely associated with Greek tragedy — which includes such famous works as Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” — that “buskins” was a term used between the 16th and 19th centuries as a reference to theatrical tragedies. The expression “to put on the buskins” meant “to act in a tragedy,” or “to behave in a tragic manner.”

Fact of the Day - HIGH-FIVE Did you know... The act of high-fiving a friend in celebration may seem like it’s been around forever, but in fact, the gesture originated even more recently than cellphones or email. Lacking any earlier reputable reports, the most widely accepted origin story goes as follows: The high-five was first used during a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros on October 2, 1977. After hitting his 30th home run of the season, left fielder Dusty Baker was greeted by his teammate Glenn Burke, who excitedly offered a raised hand to celebrate, which Baker then slapped in return. Burke then hit a home run of his own, and the pair repeated the motion. The players celebrated another homer hit three days later with their new gesture, and that moment was photographed by the Los Angeles Times, which ran the image on the front page of the October 6 edition with the caption “GIVE HIM A HAND.” It wasn’t until 1980 that the term “high-five” was definitively coined and began appearing in print, with its first such appearance in a March 25 Boston Globe article, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Another oft-cited report attributes the creation of the high-five to the 1978-1979 University of Louisville men’s basketball team. During practice, Wiley Brown offered his teammate Derek Smith a low-five — a knee-level gesture that was commonly used by African Americans as a symbol of unity. At that moment, as reported in The Week, Smith responded, “No. Up high,” thus giving literal rise to a new gesture. This was cited as the origin of the high-five in a New York Times article on September 1, 1980. However, this event postdates the Baker-Burke story, which makes the NYT’s claim suspect (assuming the reported timelines are indeed accurate). Handshakes date back to ancient Mesopotamia. Handshakes were used by people in ancient Mesopotamia no later than the ninth century BCE. One of the earliest examples is a stone relief from that era depicting the kings of Babylon and Assyria shaking hands to commemorate a pact. The gesture was later mentioned several times by Homer in the “Iliad” and “Odyssey” as a way to convey trust between two parties. Shaking hands as a greeting was popularized, in part, by Quakers in the 17th century. Many Quakers weren’t particularly fond of greeting people with traditional bows or curtsies, as those gestures reinforced an unequal, hierarchical structure. Instead, they began using handshakes as a sign of equal respect. Source: The first known high-five wasn’t until 1977.

What's the Word: PARENTHESIZE pronunciation: [pə-REN-thə-sahyz] Part of speech: verb Origin: English, 18th century Meaning: 1. Put (a word, phrase, or clause) into parentheses. 2. Insert as a parenthesis; express or state in parentheses. Examples: "The front desk clerk said the kitchen closed at 8 p.m. but parenthesized that we could call her if we needed anything." "Harry told us he was on a diet but parenthesized that he made exceptions for fresh pie." About Parenthesize The verb “parenthesize” is a variation on the English noun “parenthesis,” with the suffix “-ize” making the noun a verb. “Parenthesis” is based on the ancient Greek “παρένθεσις” (“parénthesis”), meaning “I put in beside.” Did you Know? In written English, a parenthesis is a secondary idea added to a complete sentence as an afterthought or explanation, usually set off in punctuation by parentheses marks. But even in conversation, any idea that is added to a complete thought as a means of explaining or contextualizing it can be called a “parenthesis.” Therefore, any time a person introduces a secondary idea into a text, they’re parenthesizing, but so is a person who makes a statement and then adds an aside to further contextualize it. For example, a schoolteacher stating the rules for their class may parenthesize vocally by adding a list of the circumstances in which the rules do not apply.

Fact of the Day - COVERED BRIDGES Did you know... When you drive a car over a covered bridge, it’s easy to feel like you should be in a horse-drawn carriage instead. They call to mind quaint New England towns, vibrant fall leaves, and a simpler era. But these charming bridges generally aren’t built anymore; whereas there used to be over 14,000 of them in the United States, only about 500 to 600 remain. So what happened to these old-timey structures, and why are all the newer bridges open on top? Why Were Bridges Covered in the First Place? Covered bridges weren’t designed just for looks. The reason the covers were built in the first place was to protect the bridge—which was constructed entirely out of wood—from the elements. Wind and rain could erode and damage it, eventually causing the wood to rot away and become unstable. The covers help mitigate that risk and keep the bridge’s supports dry, significantly increasing its lifespan. Such a design made its first U.S. appearance in Philadelphia, when the Permanent Bridge was erected to cross the Schuylkill River in 1805. It lasted 70 years—including a later expansion to allow railway traffic through—before ultimately being destroyed in a fire. Unfortunately, this is a common story for covered bridges throughout history. Despite their increased protection, they are still very susceptible to flooding and fires in particular; many of these historic structures have had to be completely rebuilt after burning down. The Shift to Modern Bridges Most bridges built today are made of steel and/or concrete, and in fact, it was the growth of the steel industry that marked the major shift away from old-fashioned covered ones. The vast majority of covered bridges in the U.S. were built from the 1820s through the 1870s, pulling from regional abundances of timber; wooden bridges were, by far, the most cost-effective option. But as industrialization advanced in the mid-19th century, the mass production of iron and steel became possible. These metals were stronger than wood, resistant to rot and fire, and could suddenly be accessed at historically low prices. They were no-brainers for new construction, and by the early 20th-century, covered bridges were essentially a thing of the past. Many covered bridges across the country were even torn down in favor of steel and/or iron replacements, setting up the beginnings of contemporary American infrastructure. Today, many covered bridges are considered historical sites in the United States. Organizations like the National Society for the Protection of Covered Bridges and the federal National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation program work to maintain them, inform the public about their history, and research new methods of preserving them for future generations. To see if there are any covered bridges near you, you can check out this map and hopefully enjoy a little piece of history. Source: Why Did We Stop Building Covered Bridges?

What's the Word: ACCREDITATION pronunciation: [ə-kred-ə-TEY-shən] Part of speech: noun Origin: English, 19th century Meaning: 1. A thing that completes The action or process of officially recognizing someone as having a particular status or being qualified to perform a particular activity.or brings to perfection. 2. Official certification that a school or course has met standards set by external regulators. Examples: "Even the oldest colleges in the U.S. have their accreditation reviewed every few years." "John received his accreditation shortly after graduation and immediately found a job." About Accreditation “Accreditation” was based on the English word “accredit,” meaning “to give [someone or something] credit” or “to confirm as credible.” That word is based on the French “accréditer,” which is derived from the Latin “accreditare,” meaning “to entrust.” Did you Know? Historically, accreditation was the business of renowned organizations confirming that people or organizations rose to their standards, but it’s no longer just professional societies offering accreditation. Today, a person in nearly any field can seek out and gain an accreditation relevant to their interests. For example, computer science experts can receive expensive accreditations confirming expertise in particular technologies and systems. There are also cheaper courses and exams available online for those who want to receive accreditation as a beer judge (less than $50), a baby shower planner (roughly $150), or a Pokémon “professor” ($500 or less).

Fact of the Day - DISNEY'S FERAL CATS Did you know.... Spend enough time at Disneyland and you’ll see them. Maybe you’ll spot one snoozing in the bushes near the Jungle Cruise or observing you warily as you ride the tram, but one thing is certain: However many cats you see, there are more out of sight. About 200 feral cats roam the Happiest Place on Earth, where they earn their keep by helping to control the rodent population. The felines were first seen not long after Disneyland opened in 1955, when they took up residence in Sleeping Beauty Castle, and it soon became evident that keeping them around had more advantages than trying to escort them off the premises. The mutually beneficial alliance even includes permanent feeding stations for the cats, as well as spaying or neutering and vaccinations. Though not official cast members, these adept hunters — who mostly come out at night — have earned a devoted following of their own. There are websites, Instagram feeds, and YouTube videos devoted to them. They’re not quite as popular as the actual rides at Disneyland, of course, but for cat lovers, they’re an attraction all their own. A train station in Disneyland plays a message in Morse code. Next time you find yourself on the Disneyland railroad, listen closely when the train pulls into its second station. New Orleans Square, which houses a telegraph office, plays a secret message in Morse code paraphrased from Walt Disney’s opening-day speech: “To all who come to Disneyland, welcome. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future.” There are also many other secrets in the park, from the optical illusion that makes Sleeping Beauty Castle look bigger to Walt Disney’s favorite chili recipe at the Carnation Cafe. Source: About 200 feral cats roam Disneyland, where they help control rodents.

What's the Word: COMPLEMENT pronunciation: [KAM-plə-mənt] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, 14th century Meaning: 1. A thing that completes or brings to perfection. 2. A number or quantity of something, especially that required to make a group complete. Examples: "Sometimes a pinch of salt is the perfect complement to a sweet recipe." "The home’s proximity to the lake is a complement to its beautiful view of the mountains." About Complement “Complement” is taken directly from the Latin “complēmentum,” meaning “that which fills up or completes.” That word’s past participle, “complētus,” meaning “to be finished,” is the root of the English word “complete.” Did you Know? “Complement” is easily confused with its homonym, “compliment,” a noun referring to an expression of praise or admiration, or a verb meaning “to give praise.” Both words are based on the same Latin root, “complēmentum,” meaning “to fill up or complete,” and “complement” remains close to this meaning with its implied completion or perfection. By contrast, in the late 1600s, “compliment” appeared in French and Italian with the specific meaning of completing the courteous actions expected of a well-mannered person. For these reasons, a complement completes, while a compliment expresses politeness.

Fact of the Day - SPLIT-FACE CHIMERA CATS Did you know.... They look Photoshopped, but their striking beauty is all natural. Cats come in tons of beautiful colors, with some of the rarest being the leopard-like rosette pattern or the purple-tinted lilac. Split-face chimera cats have a particularly unusual appearance, with their perfectly split coat patterns. It’s only natural to wonder how the felines end up with such striking features. You can find the answer below. How Does a Chimera Cat Happen? According to Animal Wellness Magazine, chimerism occurs when two embryos fuse during the early stages of pregnancy. A split-faced chimera cat essentially merged with a twin that would have looked different, which explains why it appears to be two individuals put together. In the most extreme cases, chimera cats also have heterochromia, or two distinct eye colors. The term chimera comes from the fire-breathing Greek mythical creature with the body and head of a lion, a goat’s head growing from its back, and a snake’s tail. Eventually, people used the word to refer to animals and people who have more than two sets of DNA. Are All Multi-Colored Cats Chimeras? Not all chimera cats are split-faced; some have subtle differences in coat color, according to Purina. Another thing to note is that breeds like calicos (tri-colored cats, usually white with black and orange spots) and tortoiseshell cats (typically a mixture of orange and black with specks of white) can also develop the split-faced and heterochromatic features. However, that doesn’t mean they’re chimeras. All of these interesting color patterns are usually found in female rather than male cats. This is because the genes that determine fur colors in cats are on the X chromosome. Since female mammals have two X chromosomes, they’re a lot more likely to have these unique patterns. Source: What’s the Deal With Split-Face Chimera Cats?

What's the Word: FLAMBEAU pronunciation: [FLAM-bo] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, 17th century Meaning: 1. A flaming torch, especially one made of several thick wicks dipped in wax. 2. A large candlestick with several branches. Examples: "Processions illuminated by flambeaus are common during seasonal holidays in both Europe and Asia." "The guides led us down the forest path with a flambeau, instead of a flashlight, to make the adventure feel more authentic." About Flambeau “Flambeau” is taken directly from the French, where it referred originally to a small flame. Did you Know? “Flambeau” is based on the Old French word “flambe,” meaning “a flame,” from the Latin root “flamma,” the basis of the English word “flame.” The French word is also the root of other familiar English words, including “flamboyant,” which was initially used to describe the vivid light of a burning flambeau but today describes anything bright, bold, or audacious. Another related word is “flambé,” once again from the French, meaning “to cook by adding a spirit, like brandy, and setting alight.”

Fact of the Day - CARGO HOUSE Did you know... The world’s largest coffeehouse chain, Starbucks, almost had a very different name. According to a 2008 Seattle Times interview with the company’s co-founder Gordon Bowker, the famous java chain was once “desperately close” to being called “Cargo House,” a name meant to tie the first store (in Seattle’s Pike Place Market) to the idea of beans coming from far away. Anxious for another, more pleasing moniker, a brand consultant working with Bowker mentioned that words starting with “st” felt especially strong. Bowker ran with the idea, listing every “st” word he could think of. The breakthrough moment occurred after the consultant brought out some old maps of the Cascade mountains and Mount Rainier — both close to the company’s hometown of Seattle — and Bowker stumbled across an old mining town named “Starbo.” The name lit up a literary reference embedded in his mind: Starbuck. The name comes from Herman Melville’s 1851 masterpiece Moby-Dick; or, The Whale. In the novel, Starbuck is a Quaker and trusty first mate of Captain Ahab, and serves as the voice of reason aboard the whaling ship Pequod (another name the Starbucks co-founders considered). Melville himself likely got the name Starbuck from a real whaling family that lived on the Massachusetts island of Nantucket in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Bowker readily admits that the character has nothing to do with coffee, but the moniker stuck, and the company doubled down on the nautical theme by introducing a mythological siren, likely influenced by a seventh-century Italian mosaic, as its now-famous green-and-white logo. Coffee beans are not actually beans. Two types of flowering shrubs from the family Rubiaceae, Coffea robusta and Coffea arabica, make up most of the coffee consumed in the world. These plants produce a sweet, reddish-yellow cherry-like fruit, and its seeds or pits — when roasted from light to dark — make the coffee beverage we know and love today. However, calling these seeds “beans” is a misnomer, since a “bean” technically refers to an edible seed from the plant family Fabaceae (also called Leguminosae), which includes foods such as soybeans, peas, chickpeas, and peanuts. Coffee seeds look much like a typical bean, but from a strict botanical perspective, they’re not. In fact, since coffee cherries are fruits, you might argue that your usual cup of joe has more in common with a smoothie than any sort of legume-heavy delicacy. Source: Starbucks Coffee was almost called ‘Cargo House.’

What's the Word: STEVEDORE pronunciation: [STEE-vi-dohr] Part of speech: noun Origin: Spanish, 18th century Meaning: 1. A person employed or a contractor engaged at a dock to load and unload cargo from ships. Examples: "My cousin works as a stevedore at the Port of Los Angeles." "During my years as a stevedore, I moved cargo from virtually every country on the planet." About Stevedore “Stevedore” is based on the Spanish word “estibador,” based on the Spanish verb “estibar,” meaning “to load.” Did you Know? Stevedores — also called “longshoremen” and “dockworkers” — are not nearly as common as they used to be, as a result of the rise of shipping containers in the 1960s. Prior to that time, every ship arriving in port needed to be carefully loaded and unloaded full of individual pieces of cargo that had to be tied down in place. The emergence of shipping containers changed all that: Virtually all goods today are shipped in standardized, stackable containers that can be easily moved with cranes. As a result, the number of dockworkers has plummeted; there are more than 90% fewer stevedores on the docks today than in the years following World War II. However, somebody must still manage loading and unloading shipping containers, and that remains the job of stevedores.

Fact of the Day - DINOSAUR Did you know... The first dinosaur fossil was discovered in 1677 — not that the man who came upon it realized the magnitude of his find. The English naturalist Robert Plot thought that his discovery had belonged to a giant human, and it wasn’t until 1824 that the geologist William Buckland identified the bone for what it was. It took an additional 18 years for Sir Richard Owen, the most famed paleontologist of his era, to coin the term “dinosauria” — deinos meaning “terrible” or “fearfully great” in Greek, and sauros meaning “lizard.” True lizards and dinosaurs diverged from one another 270 million years ago, but the name stuck nevertheless. Suffice to say that the schoolteacher who called a young Owen “impudent” would have been surprised by his lasting scientific contributions, which also include describing many new species and founding London’s Natural History Museum. Owen later went on to feud with none other than Charles Darwin over their respective views on evolution. Owen developed his own influential theory of how animals developed, and disagreed with how Darwin interpreted it in On the Origin of Species — as well as with Darwin’s entire concept of natural selection. As a result, Owen’s scientific reputation has suffered, but we can still thank him for every 7-year-old’s favorite word. Dinosaurs aren’t considered extinct. Not fully, anyway. While the vast majority of our prehistoric friends did indeed die out after an asteroid likely hit the planet about 65 million years ago, some persisted — and today we call them birds. There are 10,000 species of dinosaurs alive today, none of which is as fearsome as a Tyrannosaurus rex but all of whom are marvels of evolution. The ancestors of modern birds survived while other dinosaurs died out in part by shrinking their size and exploiting a different, less-competitive ecological niche than their bulkier, land-dwelling relatives. Between the dinosaurs of old and the birds of today was the Archaeopteryx, a “transitional fossil” with both avian and reptilian features that lived some 150 million years ago. Source: ‘Dinosaur’ comes from Greek words that mean ‘terrible lizard.’

What's the Word: AUTOSCHEDIASTIC pronunciation: [aw-toh-skeh-dee-AST-ik] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Ancient Greek, 17th century Meaning: 1. Impromptu, improvised, ex tempore or offhand. Examples: "At supper, the professor offered a fascinating autoschediastic history of the fall of Rome." "In Boston, our host offered to take us on an autoschediastic tour of Fenway Park and the surrounding neighborhood." About Autoschediastic “Autoschediastic” is based on the ancient Greek “αὐτοσχεδιαστικός,” meaning “extemporaneous.” Did you Know? While a prepared speech is how many people address a crowd, sometimes the most striking speeches are autoschediastic, or improvised. Many of history’s most famous autoschediastic speeches have been delivered by military leaders before battle — such as U.S. General George Patton’s notoriously bellicose and profane address to the Third Army ahead of the Allied invasion of France, or British Army Colonel Tim Collins’ speech to his troops before the Iraq War. Autoschediastic speeches can also occur in happier contexts, such as award shows, where off-the-cuff responses from winners (such as Jennifer Coolidge’s viral speech following her Golden Globes win for “The White Lotus”) can charm audiences far more than a speech delivered from notes.

Fact of the Day - HIPPOS Did you know... The word “hippopotamus” means “river horse” in Greek, which makes sense given the amount of time — about 16 hours a day — these massive creatures spend in the water. But as it turns out, hippos can’t actually swim or even float. Their dense bones and heavy bodies cause them to sink, and their short legs and broad structure aren’t built for moving through water as easily as other aquatic mammals. What they can do, thanks to that density, is stand sturdily on a waterbed’s floor and walk or bounce along the ground. With their eyes and nostrils located high on their heads, they can still see and breathe while almost completely submerged. Although they prefer the shallower parts of lakes, rivers, and swamps — typically around 6 feet deep — they’ve been observed in waters as deep as 40 feet, which they can propel themselves above by leaping like porpoises off the bottom. Even when they sleep, they can hold their breath for only about five minutes before an automatic reflex ensures they rise to the surface for air so they can rest without drowning. The water isn’t just a playground for these creatures — it’s vital to their survival. Staying submerged helps keep their sensitive skin cool and hydrated under the hot African sun. It isn’t until dusk that they emerge and spend the next eight hours or so on land, grazing on grasses, before returning to their aquatic refuge when the sun reappears. The kid who sang “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” actually got one. In 1953, 10-year-old Oklahoma child Gayla Peevey recorded the quirky holiday tune “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” After the song became a hit, an Oklahoma City zoo and a local newspaper launched a statewide funding drive, encouraging people to chip in so they could give Peevey the very thing she sang about. Donations poured in, and by Christmas, a baby hippopotamus named Mathilda was sent to Oklahoma City. Peevey gave the hippo to Oklahoma’s Lincoln Park Zoo, making Mathilda the zoo’s first hippo, and appeared alongside zookeepers and the media to help welcome Mathilda to her new home. Source: Hippos can’t swim or float.

What's the Word: AMBROSIA pronunciation: [am-BRO-zhə] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. Something very pleasing to taste or smell. 2. (Greek mythology) The food of the gods. Examples: "The dessert you served last night was pure ambrosia." "Ambrosia is a powerful element in many stories of Greek mythology." About Ambrosia In many stories of Greek mythology, gods who consumed ambrosia were given immortality. The word for "food of the gods" comes from the Greek word "ambrotos," meaning "immortal." You may feel godlike yourself if you claim your favorite dish is ambrosia upon your lips. Did you Know? The smell of freshly baked cookies in the air, the taste of ripe strawberries — anything that smells or tastes delicious can be called "ambrosia." But if you want to make ambrosia, there is a specific traditional Southern recipe. It's a salad (we're using that word loosely) that contains marshmallows, sour cream, shredded coconut, oranges, and pineapple.

Fact of the Day - BUSING Did you know.... No, it’s not related to buses. Bussers help ensure a restaurant runs smoothly. Without them, water glasses would remain empty and tables would be piled high with dirty dishes. They’re where the phrase busing a table comes from, but where did the job title originate in the first place? The Origin of Busser According to etymologist Barry Popik, the term busboy comes from the word omnibus, which means “for all” in Latin. More specifically, it’s a shortened version of omnibus boy. This derives from the fact that busboys (who were typically male when the word was created) were hired to support all the staff members in a restaurant. As the role opened up to more people, the term busboy was replaced with busser to be more inclusive. The Oxford English Dictionary notes that the earliest recorded use of busboy dates back to 1867. Busser vs. Waiter: What’s the Difference? You may think that the terms busser and waiter (or server) are interchangeable, but that’s not the case. A busser’s main job is to focus on the restaurant’s cleanliness by wiping tables and resetting seating areas after the customers leave. As people dine, bussers may fill glasses of water and clear dishes; they also may be expected to rearrange tables to accommodate larger parties. If they’re needed in the kitchen, bussers may take on tasks such as dishwashing, cleaning spills, or taking out the trash. You may not see them at restaurants that are less busy; they’re more likely to be needed at crowded ones. Servers, meanwhile, typically take orders, serve dishes, interact directly with customers, and process payments. Both roles are vital to the customer service experience and the restaurant’s efficiency in different ways. Source: Why Is It Called “Busing” a Table?

What's the Word: TRANSPICUOUS pronunciation: [trans-PIK-yoo-əs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. Transparent. 2. Easily understood, lucid. Examples: "My windows were transpicuous and sparkling after I cleaned both sides." "Your argument is well reasoned and transpicuous." About Transpicuous Transpicuous means something is transparent or can be seen through. It can be literal, as in a crystal-clear plate-glass window, or you can use it in a more figurative sense. For example, you might try to be transpicuous about your feelings for your new partner. Either way, it's easy to see. Did you Know? The Latin root for "transpicuous" is "transpicere," meaning "to look through," but "specere" on its own means "to look or see." A few other "seeing" words share this origin. "Conspicuous" means "attracting notice," and "inspect" means "to look at something closely."

Fact of the Day - "BOO!" Did you know... If linguistics is any indicator, it would appear that everybody in the spirit realm speaks Scots English. People have screamed “boo,” or at least some version of it, to startle others since the mid-16th century. (One of the earliest examples documented by the Oxford English Dictionary appeared in that 1560s poetic thriller, Smyth Whych that Forged Hym a New Dame.) But ghosts? They’ve only been using the word boo for less than two centuries. The Mysterious Origins of the Word Boo The etymology of boo is uncertain. The OED compares it with the Latin boare or the Greek βοᾶν, meaning to “cry aloud, roar, [or] shout.” Older dictionaries suggest it could be an onomatopoeia mimicking the lowing of a cow. Whatever its origins, the word had a slightly different shade of meaning a few hundred years ago: Boo (or, in the olden days, bo or bu) was not used to frighten others but to assert your presence. Take the traditional Scottish proverb “He can’t say bo to a goose,” which for centuries has been a slick way to call somebody “timid” or “sheepish.” Or consider the 1565 story Smyth Whych that Forged Hym a New Dame, in which an overconfident blacksmith tries to hammer a woman back into her youth, and the main character demands of his dying experiment: “Speke now, let me se / and say ones bo!” Or, as Donatello would put it: “Speak, damn you, speak!” Boo Gets Scarier But boo became scarier with time. After all, as the OED notes, the word is phonetically suited “to produce a loud and startling sound.” And by 1738, Gilbert Crokatt was writing in Presbyterian Eloquence Display’d that “Boo is a Word that’s used in the North of Scotland to frighten crying children.” In 18th century Scotland, bo, boo, and bu would latch onto plenty of words describing things that went bump in the night. According to the Dictionary of the Scots Language, the term bu-kow applied to hobgoblins and “anything frightful,” such as scarecrows. The word bogey, for “evil one,” would evolve into bogeyman. And there’s bu-man, or boo-man, a terrifying goblin that haunted man: “Kings, counsellors, and princes fair, As weel’s the common ploughman, Hae maist their pleasures mix’d wi’ care, An’ dread some muckle boo-man.” It was only a matter of time until ghosts got lumped into this creepy “muckle boo-man” crowd. Which is too bad. Before the early 1800s, ghosts were believed to be eloquent, sometimes charming, and very often literary speakers. The spirits that appeared in the works of the Greek playwrights Euripides and Seneca held the important job of reciting the play’s prologue. The apparitions in Shakespeare’s plays conversed in the same swaying iambic pentameter as the living. But by the mid-1800s, more literary ghosts apparently lost interest in speaking in complete sentences. Take this articulate exchange with a specter from an 1863 Punch and Judy script: Ghost: Boo-o-o-oh! Punch: A-a-a-ah! Ghost: Boo-o-o-o-oh! Punch: Oh dear ! oh dear ! It wants’t me! Ghost: Boo-o-o-o-oh! The Influence of Spiritualism It’s no surprise that boo’s popularity rose in the mid-19th century. This was the age of spiritualism, a widespread cultural obsession with paranormal phenomena that sent scores of people flocking to mediums and clairvoyants in hopes of communicating with the dead. Serious scientists were sending electrical shocks through the bodies of corpses to see if reanimating the dead was possible; readers were engrossed in terrifying Gothic fiction (think Frankenstein, Zastrozzi, and The Vampyre); British police departments were reporting a heightened number of ghost sightings as graveyards were plagued by “ghost impersonators,” hoaxsters who camped out in cemeteries covered in white robes and pale chalk. It’s probably no coincidence that ghosts began to develop their own vocabulary—limited as it may have been—during a period when everybody was curious about the goings-on within the spirit realm. It may also help that boo was Scottish. Many of our Halloween traditions, such as the carving of jack-o’-lanterns, were carried overseas by Celtic immigrants. Scotland was a great exporter of people in the middle of the 1800s, and perhaps it’s thanks to the Scots-Irish diaspora that boo became every ghost’s go-to greeting. Now that you know why ghosts say “boo,” find out a few regional terms for spirits and haunts that you might want to work into conversation, and learn about “ghost words”—nonexistent words that somehow found their way into the dictionary. Source: Why Do Ghosts Say “Boo”?

What's the Word: FLOCCULENT pronunciation: [FLAHK-yə-lənt] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, early 19th century Meaning: 1. Having or resembling tufts of wool. 2. Having a loosely clumped texture. Examples: "The flocculent sheep were ready for their spring shearing." "Your potting soil should be slightly damp and flocculent." About Flocculent If the word "flocculent" makes you think of a flock of sheep, you'd be correct. In Latin, "floccus" means "tuft of wool," so the adjective "flocculent" can apply to the woolly sheep themselves, or anything with a similarly tufted texture. Did you Know? The adjective "flocculent" describes a tufty texture, but there's also a noun, "flocculation." This chemical process occurs when clumps of a substance start to form. It's important for water-treatment processes and even beer brewing. Yeast flocculation is a vital step in brewing your favorite IPA.

Fact of the Day - BATS Did you know... Anyone who’s ever serenaded their sweetheart has more in common with bats than they might think. In 2009, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M studied the vocalizations of Tadarida brasiliensis — the Brazilian free-tailed bat, more commonly known as the Mexican free-tailed bat — and found the tunes to be surprisingly nuanced love songs. Though difficult for humans to hear, the songs consist of unique syllables that combine to form three types of “phrases”: chirps, buzzes, and trills. The males combine these phrases in different ways to attract females — and to warn other males to stay away. What makes this especially remarkable is that, until recently, bats weren’t thought to communicate with one another in such a structured way. But when the researchers listened to recordings of two free-tailed colonies in Austin and College Station, Texas, they discovered that they “use the same ‘words’ in their love phrases,” according to lead researcher Kirsten Bohn. And we’re learning more about bat communication all the time — in August 2021, researchers found that baby bats “babble” much like human infants do, practicing syllables over and over until they learn to get it right. The world’s largest bat colony is in Texas. Next time you’re near San Antonio, make sure to visit Bracken Cave. The nature preserve run by Bat Conservation International (BCI) is home to more than 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats in the summer, making it the largest bat colony in the world. Though often portrayed as sinister in pop culture, these creatures of the night play a crucial role in their ecosystem by consuming more than 100 tons of corn earworm moths and other pests every summer night. The cave is a popular place to visit on warm summer evenings, when the bats take flight in a stunning display with the potential to convert any chiroptophobes in attendance. Source: Some bats sing love songs.

What's the Word: FUGACIOUS pronunciation: [fyoo-GEY-shəs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. Tending to disappear. 2. Fleeting. Examples: "Cookies are quite fugacious in my house." "The hummingbird made a fugacious stop on my flowers." About Fugacious Fugacious is often used in an ephemeral sense. For example, your sadness may be fugacious — better times are around the corner. The word also can be used in a physical sense, though. A gardener might describe a plant with falling leaves as fugacious. Did you Know? The Latin verb "fugere" means "to flee." Other words that come from this same root include "subterfuge," "fugitive," and "refuge." Think of the movie "The Fugitive," and you'll likely never forget the definition of "fugacious."

Fact of the Day - HUSH PUPPIES Did you know.... Hush puppies might seem like a simple side dish, but they carry a pretty interesting history. Golden, crisp, and addictive, hush puppies are basically savory doughnut holes made from cornmeal batter dropped into hot oil. These days, they can be found anywhere from Carolina fish houses to Chicago shrimp shacks. But, the tasty treats weren’t always called “hush puppies,” and they weren’t always so widespread. A Southern Speciality Cornmeal dishes were prevalent in several Southern states, particularly among enslaved communities. It was a primary ingredient in various dishes throughout the African continent; when enslaved people were transported from Africa to the United States, they brought with them pieces of their culinary heritage. One popular version of the dish went by an entirely different name. It traces back to South Carolina, where Romeo “Romy” Govan became famous for a simple fried bread he called “red horse bread.” Govan was born to enslaved parents in the 1840s. He became a locally legendary cook by the 20th century; at fish fries held along the river, Govan wowed guests by dishing up spoonfuls of cornmeal batter fried in the same grease as the fish. Newspapers swooned, locals raved, and his red horse bread became a beloved speciality. As the dish’s popularity spread, several names popped up. But only one really stuck around. The Rise of the Hush Puppy Over time, little balls of fried cornmeal batter became known as “hush puppies.” There are a few popular myths around the name. Some say it stems from Confederate soldiers tossing fritters to their dogs, fishermen feeding yapping hounds, or cooks quieting hungry kids. One particularly popular theory posits that enslaved people trying to escape would throw the food at tracking dogs to keep them quiet. The paper trail leads us to a different explanation, though. As Serious Eats reports, the term hush puppy already existed as slang for keeping quiet. There are also reports of hush puppy referring to gravy, particularly when eaten to silence a growling stomach. By the 1920s and ’30s, fried cornmeal fritters were popping up at fish fries in Georgia and Florida under the new name. Tourists spread the word, magazines printed recipes, and hush puppies continued to gain popularity. It wasn’t long before they went national. After World War II, a North Carolina entrepreneur sold a just-add-water hush puppy mix that was distributed far beyond the South. The fried cornmeal balls began showing up in many American’s diets; now, they’re a delicious side dish that’s available in restaurants nationwide. Source: Why Are They Called “Hush Puppies”?

What's the Word: ORRERY pronunciation: [OR-ə-ree] Part of speech: noun Origin: English, early 18th century Meaning: 1. A mechanical model of the solar system, or of just the sun, Earth, and moon, used to represent their relative positions and motions. Examples: "The antique orrery held a place of honor in the library." "The miniature orrery received quite a bit of use in the science class." About Orrery You've likely made an orrery and didn't realize it. An orrery is a model of the solar system, or at least the sun, Earth, and moon. Technically it's supposed to be mechanical, but we'll still call your elementary school model of painted styrofoam balls an orrery. Did you Know? Models of the solar system have been created since ancient times, but the more modern versions are called orreries. There's no scientific origin for the name; the moniker is thanks to a commission from Charles Boyle, the Fourth Earl of Orrery.

Fact of the Day - WET CARROTS? WHY? Did you know.... It’s not your imagination. Baby carrots are wet on purpose. Contrary to their name, baby carrots aren’t the juvenile version of Bugs Bunny’s favorite vegetable. The product comes from fully-grown carrots that have been processed into cute, bite-sized shapes. But snackability isn’t the only thing distinguishing the smaller model from the classic vegetable. As anyone who’s reached into a slimy bag of baby carrots knows, downsized carrots come with some unintended consequences. Baby Carrots Need to Stay Hydrated According to Southern Living, baby carrots tend to be wetter than most veggies in the produce section. This is because they’re prone to dehydration, so water is added to them during the processing and packaging stages. Producers give baby carrots their stubby shape by chopping up carrots that aren’t attractive enough to sell whole and tossing them into a polishing drum. Water that’s added to the drum gives them their smooth, shiny appearance. This accounts for some of a baby carrot’s moisture, but not all of it. The bags they come in contain supplemental water to keep the miniature veggies from drying out. Full-sized carrots and other vegetables rely on their natural skins to retain moisture. To make baby carrots, the outer layer has to be shaved away, so there’s nothing keeping the water locked inside. A splash of water inside each bag gives the carrots the crisp, fresh taste people expect from their produce. Avoiding “Carrot Blush” Baby carrots aren’t immune to drying out—especially if they’ve been sitting in an open bag or on your kitchen counter for a while. The white film that forms on the product is called carrot blush, and it’s a normal sign of dehydration. The rumor that the white stuff is really chlorine is false, though it is true that baby carrots are processed with a minimal (and safe) amount of the chemical. You can read more about the history of the snack food here. Source: Why Are Baby Carrots Always So Wet?

What's the Word: TERMINUS pronunciation: [tər-mən-əs] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. A final point in space or time; an end or extremity. 2. The end of a railroad or other transportation route, or a station at such a point; a terminal. Examples: "The terminus of the highway construction is scheduled for April 2026." "Take the subway to the terminus, and I'll meet you there." About Terminus You might recognize the adjective "terminal," meaning "situated at the end," but "terminus" is the noun form. Use this word to distinguish an end point, either in space or time. It's a handy word to pull out at the end of a party: "This is the terminus. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here." Did you Know? Another usage of "terminus" is as a name for a specific architectural feature. In that case, a terminus is a figure of a human bust or an animal, ending in a square pillar from which it appears to spring. These features were originally used as boundary markers in ancient Rome.