Tuesday, July 12, 2011

assay \a-SEY\, verb:

1. To examine or analyze.

2. In metallurgy, to analyze (an ore, alloy, etc.) in order to determine the quantity of gold, silver, or other metal in it.

3. To attempt; try.

Assay stems from Middle French, a variation on essay.

Text Purgatory

The time period one waits for a response to a flirtatious text.

Dave was in text purgatory after sending Kiri "drinks later?"

Trivia

What sport has the fastest-moving ball?

Jai alai—the ball, known as the pelota, travels at speeds of up to 188 miles an hour.

History

• Henry VIII: married his sixth (and final) wife, Catherine Parr; she outlived him by a year (1543)
• Medal of Honor: the top US military decoration was authorized by Congress (1862)
• the Rolling Stones: performed their first concert, at London's Marquee Club (1962)
• Geraldine Ferraro: became the first woman nominated for US vice president on a major-party ticket; she was chosen by Democratic candidate Walter Mondale (1984)

Birthdays

• Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920): painter and sculptor; artist Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009) shared this birth date
• Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960): award-winning lyricist, Show Boat, The Sound of Music; plus, musicians Van Cliburn (77), Christine McVie (68) and Butch Hancock (66)
• Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983): engineer and inventor of the geodesic dome; plus, innovator in photography George Eastman (1854-1932)
• Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862): transcendentalist who lived for two years in a hut on Walden Pond and wrote of his experiences; plus, poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda (1904-1973)
• Bill Cosby (74): actor and comedian who broke ground with his roles on I Spy and The Cosby Show; also, actors Denise Nicholas (65), Jamey Sheridan (60), Anna Friel (35), Michelle Rodriguez and Topher Grace (both 32)
• Richard Simmons (63): fitness guru
• Kristi Yamaguchi (40): champion figure skater

Read more: http://www.answers.com/