16 May 2026
Word of the Day
surmise
"Thought, imagination, or conjecture, which may be based upon feeble or scanty evidence; suspicion; guess."
Quote of the Day
Creature of the Day
boggart
"A boggart is a supernatural being from English folklore. The dialectologist Elizabeth Wright described the boggart as 'a generic name for an apparition'; folklorist Simon Young defines it as 'any ambivalent or evil solitary supernatural spirit'. Halifax folklorist Kai Roberts states that boggart โmight have been used to refer to anything from a hilltop hobgoblin to a household faerie, from a headless apparition to a proto-typical poltergeistโ. As these wide definitions suggest boggarts are to be found both in and out of doors, as a household spirit, or a malevolent spirit defined by local geography, a genius loci inhabiting topographical features. The 1867 book Lancashire Folklore by Harland and Wilkinson makes a distinction between "House boggarts" and other types. Typical descriptions show boggarts to be malevolent. It is said that the boggart crawls into people's beds at night and puts a clammy hand on their faces. Sometimes he strips the bedsheets off them. The household boggart may follow a family wherever they flee. One Lancashire source reports the belief that a boggart should never be named: if the boggart was given a name, it could neither be reasoned with nor persuaded, but would become uncontrollable and destructive."
On this Day in History
- 1929 In Hollywood, the first Academy Awards ceremony takes place.
Pun of the Day
Artwork of the Day
Lotus bowl with ladies
Unknown Artist, late 17thโearly 18th century
Medium: Porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue (Jingdezhen ware)
Culture: China
Courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Trivia Question of the Day
Limerick Attempt of the Day
Theme: agonizing feather
Fortune Cookie of the Day
Bucket List Idea of the Day
Dream of the Day
Mood: magical | Archetype: Hero
Elements: frightened peace acquire
I was standing on a jagged, wind-swept precipice, the air around me vibrating with a shimmering, deep violet light. Below, an ancient, mist-shrouded valley unfolded, pulsing with a magic so potent it made my bones ache with responsibility. A heavy, intricately embroidered cloak, far too grand for me, felt both protective and crushing on my shoulders, whispering of a destiny I was somehow meant to fulfill. My heart pounded not just with the altitude, but with the terrifying certainty that I had to descend into that shimmering unknown, despite a profound sense of inadequacy and the weight of an unasked-for quest.
The descent was treacherous, the path barely visible through swirling motes of light and the rustling whispers of unseen forces that tugged at my resolve. Deep within the valley, I finally faced the challenge: not a roaring beast, but a vast, shimmering specter woven from starlight and sorrow, an ancient guardian of doubt. I didn't fight with a weapon, but with a silent, unwavering resolve, an offering of sheer will that felt like sacrificing a piece of my own soul. As the specter slowly dissolved into the crystalline air, a profound quiet settled, shimmering around me like the aftermath of a cosmic storm. It was a peace so immense it felt dangerous, too vast for a single soul, leaving me breathless and raw. My hands still trembled, a faint echo of the fear, but my spirit felt strangely whole, as if I had finally taken up a mantle I was always meant to wear, albeit with a terrifying awareness of its immense and lonely weight.
Classic Literature Recommendation
Candide
by Voltaire
Candide, a sheltered young man, believes he lives in "the best of all possible worlds" thanks to his optimistic tutor, Pangloss, until he is abruptly expelled and thrust into a tumultuous world filled with war, natural disasters, and human cruelty. His subsequent picaresque journey across continents humorously yet pointedly exposes the follies of philosophical optimism, the absurdities of society, and the enduring challenge of finding happiness amidst relentless suffering.
Conduct of life โข Readers โข Literatura francesa
Articles of the Day
What proteins in prehistoric teeth reveal about Stone Age sex between early human species
Scientists analyzing proteins from prehistoric teeth unearthed in China have uncovered a potential link between Homo erectus and later human species, shedding new light on interspecies interactions in the Stone Age.
Giant new dinosaur identified from remains found in Thailand
A new colossal dinosaur, named nagatitan, has been identified from remains in Thailand. This discovery marks the largest dinosaur found in Southeast Asia, weighing as much as nine elephants.
Senior Golden Retriever Who Never Had Toys Canโt Stop Showing off His New Treasures
A heartwarming story unfolds as a senior Golden Retriever, who had never experienced toys before, is now filled with joy and constantly displaying his newfound treasures.