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What is an encyclopaedia? What does it contain? When did the concept evolve?

The word 'encyclopaedia originates from the Greek term enkuklios paideia, which means general education. Though the concept of an encyclopaedia existed since ancient times, the term came to be used only in the 1500s.

An encyclopaedia is a voluminous body of reference work containing general information about a range of topics or on various aspects of one particular subject. The information is contained in the form of articles, which are arranged alphabetically, in a single book or in a series of volumes. To access the information. one has to look up the topic, as one would do in a dictionary.

Ancient Volume

Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia, an encyclopaedia of 37 books covering natural history. geography, medicine, architecture and many other facets of the ancient world, is an important work of the Roman Empire to have survived to the modern day.

Pliny the Elder, a Roman scholar, was a naval and army commander of the Roman Empire in the first century AD. In his spare time, he studied books written by experts on various subjects. Based on his research, he compiled the Naturalis Historia, an encyclopaedia of 37 books covering natural history, geography, medicine, architecture and many other facets of the ancient world. The encyclopaedia is an important work of the Roman Empire to have survived to the modern day. It listed 20,000 facts from 2000 different works by 100 authors. Pliny's tome became the model for modem encyclopaedias -it laid the ground rules for providing in-depth knowledge about the subject matter, reference of original authors and detailed indexed lists of the contents.

John Harris, a London clergyman, introduced the concept of the alphabetical order in modern encyclopaedias in his work Lexicon Technicum (1704).

Oriental tome

Classic Chinese encyclopaedias documented the economic, social, cultural and political history of the land. One of the largest encyclopaedias in the world was commissioned by the Chinese Ming emperor Yongle in 1403. Two thousand scholars worked tirelessly for five years to compile 22.937 manuscript rolls into 11,095 volumes. Given the vastness of the encyclopaedia, it could not be block-printed and hence only three handwritten copies were made. Only 400 volumes of the original manuscripts have survived. They are preserved in national libraries and private collections around the world.

The modern age

The modern encyclopaedia with its systematically organised information appeared around the 18th Century.

One of the first general encyclopaedias in English was the popular Cyclopaedia, or a Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (1728), produced by Ephraim Chambers. It provided cross-references to the alphabetically arranged articles, making it easier for the reader to access relevant information.

The Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert is a landmark in the history of encyclopaedias. What was originally meant to be a French translation of Cyclopaedia turned out to be a significant literary work reflecting the essence of French Enlightenment.

Published between 1751 and 1780, it featured contributions of leading French thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. The Encyclopédie had a tremendous impact on society in the years leading up to the French Revolution (1789).

The Encyclopædia Britannica was first printed between 1768-71 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The edition consisted of three volumes with 2,391 pages. Over time, it expanded to include over 30 volumes covering 50,000 topics.

Britannica published its 15th and final edition in 2010. Now its encyclopaedic knowledge is available exclusively in digital formats

To date, Encyclopædia Britannica is seen as an excellent reference book in the world of general encyclopaedias.

Personalities such as Walter Scott, Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Harry Houdini have contributed articles to it. The last edition featured contributions of Desmond Tutu and Bill Clinton.

QUICK FACTS

*The Encyclopædia Britannica was first printed between 1768 and 1771 in Edinburgh, Scotland. It consisted of three volumes with 2,391 pages.

* Over time, it expanded to include over 30 volumes covering 50,000 topics.

*The Encyclopedia Britannica published its 15th and final edition in 2010. Now its encyclopaedic knowledge is available exclusively in digital formats.

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What is an unusual sport?

Ever played pillow fights at home? Did you know that pillow fight is indeed a profesional sport? Let’s learn about some of the unique and unusual sports.

ZORBING

A highly adventurous sport zorbing has the participants roll inside a zorb on a slope or a levelled surface. The participants fit themselves inside the inflatable bubble or a zorb ball and have only one task at hand- that is to reach the finish line as fast as possible. The sport uses two kinds of orbs viz a hamessed orb or a non-hamessed one. While the former has a smaller in-built capacity for one or two riders at a time, the latter can carry three to four riders at a time.

CYCLE BALL

Here is another hybrid sport, where you cycle and play football. This cycling game has two opposing teams on bicycles trying to trap and navigate the ball into the goal post using just the wheels of the cycle. Cycle ball is played indoors.

CHESS BOXING

Chess is a sport that requires mental agility, while boxing tests your physical strength. Now imagine blending these two. Chess boxing is a hybrid sport that combines chess and boxing. The sport has players alternating between one round of each discipline until one of them wins in either discipline. So you either win by knockout in the boxing rounds or by checkmate in the chess rounds.

WIFE CARRYING

A sport that originated in Finland, wife carrying involves male competitors racing, with each canying a female teammate. The first wife carrying event was held in Finland in 1992. Here, the teammates are not required to be legally married. The goal is to carry the teammate through a special obstacle track. There are no restrictions on how the female teammate is carried. Piggyback and fireman's carry (over the shoulder) are the most common. The team will be penalised if the teammate is dropped.

CHEESE ROLLING

An annual race held at Cooper's Hill, near Brockworth, Gloucester, England, cheese rolling competition has the participants hurtling down a steep incline after a cheese wheel. Traditionally the cheese is made from Gloucester cattle, an endangered breed. The event is said to be based on an old tradition that dates back some 600 years. The nine-pound double cheese wheel is set in motion from the top of the incline of Cooper's Hill and the participants charge after it, sometimes rolling down and tumbling down. The sport is also one of the dangerous ones as accidents are bound to happen as the participants move down the steep gradient of the hill. The person who crosses the finish line wins. The prize is the cheese wheel.

PILLOW FIGHTING

Pillow fights are not just a fun activity you indulge in with your siblings or cousins, it's become a professional sport now. This new combat sport moved into the boxing ring in 2022, as the first-ever professional "Pillow Fighting Championship (PFC)" was held. As many as 16 men and eight women having backgrounds in mixed martial arts and boxing took part in the first edition of the showdown. As per the rules pillows made of foam are used in the combat. Here two competitors stand six feet apart and try to hit the opponent over the head as many times as possible. The pillows need to be swung single-handedly with the fights comprising only three 90-second rounds.

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What are the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Foible’?

(Pronounced as: foy-bl)

Meaning: A noun, "foible" means a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behaviour.

Origin: The word traces its origin to the French word "faible" meaning week and is borrowed from the Old French word "feble". Its first known use was in 1648.

Usage: As the day of coronation drew closer, she hoped that the crown would be hers for the taking, praying her father would care little for her foibles.

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What are the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Mawkish’?

(Pronounced maw kuhsh)

Meaning: This adjective means showing emotion or love in an awkward or silly way.

Origin: The word originates from the Middle English mawke, meaning "maggot”. Its earliest sense, used in the late 17th century but now obsolete, was synonymous with squeamish, but not long after that, mawkish was used to describe an unpleasant, nauseating, often sickeningly sweet flavour. The figurative sense of mawkish, used to describe things that are full of "sickly sweet" sentimentality, arose almost concurrently.

Usage: The actor's mawkish poem was boring and insincere.

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What are the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Importune’?

(Pronounced im por tune)

Meaning: This verb means to make repeated, forceful requests for something, usually in a way that is annoying.

Origin: Importune is derived from the Old French verb “importuner”, which came from the Latin words “importunus" and "importare" meaning to cause inconvenience.

Usage: The students importuned the professor to extend the deadline of the assignment.

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What are the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Dilemma’?

(pronounced duh leh muh)

Meaning: The word dilemma is used to refer to a situation in which a tough choice has to be made between two or more alteratives. It is especially used when the choices confronted with are equally undesirable.

Origin

The word has been around 1520s in rhetoric, from Late Latin dilemma from Greek dilemma meaning "a double proposition." It is arrived at by combing di (two) with lemma (premise, anything received or taken).

The meaning "choice between two undesirable alternatives" has been around since the 1580s.

After steady usage in the 19th Century, the word saw a spike in usage in the hundred or so years that followed and is currently enjoying a high with respect to the last 200 years.

Usage: The student faced an agonising dilemma and it seems like there is no correct choice.

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What are the meaning, origin and usage of word ‘Obviate’?

(Pronounced awb.vee.ayt)

Meaning: A verb, obviate means to eliminate a need for something or to prevent something from happening.

Origin: The term is derived from Late Latin obviat meaning "prevented", from the Latin verb obviare meaning "to withstand". The prefix "ob" means "to go against" and "via" means "way" in Latin. The term obviate has been in use in English since the late 16th Century.

Usage: The natural breeze in the evening is so good that it obviates the need to switch on the fan at home.

A parachute can be used to obviate disaster. The new medicine obviates the need for surgery.

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What is the 30 day challenge for writers?

It is often said that good things come to those who wait and this holds particularly true for writers aiming to produce a timeless masterpiece. However, some authors have managed to successfully challenge this and draft literary gems in just one month. But what inspires such speed, and what does it take to complete a book in 30 days or less?

The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abbisinia by Samuel Johnson

The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abbisinia is not your typical novel. Instead, it resembles a moral fable or an apologue. It was penned by Johnson in just one week in 1759 as a means to fund his recently deceased mother’s funeral. While the characters may lack depth and the plot is straightforward, the book is a significant philosophical exploration into the human capacity for happiness.

The story follows Rasselas, the fourth son of the King of Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia), as he embarks on a journey with his sister Nekayah, her handmaiden Pekuah, and the wise poet Imlac – a character believed to be Johnson's alter ego. Together, they seek to uncover the true meaning of happiness and lead a fulfilled life. The work delves into complex and nuanced themes, and Johnson intentionally avoids offering any clear conclusions. Instead, he leaves readers to ponder the fundamental question: Can true happiness ever be attained by an individual?

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Published in 1959, ‘On the Road’ is American writer Jack Kerouac's second novel, which documents his travels across North America with his friend Neal Cassady. Despite spending years developing the concept, Kerouac managed to type out the complete draft in just three weeks in 1951. Kerouac preferred typing at a rapid pace and detested interruptions such as changing the paper in his typewriter. As a result, he taped together numerous sheets of paper to create a continuous 120 feet long roll. His original manuscript has been exhibited in various locations worldwide, including the Boott Cotton Mills Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts, the U.S. as part of the Kerouac@100 festival celebrating the Lowell-born writer's centenary last year. Kerouac employed a unique writing style, known as spontaneous prose while composing this modern classic. The approach involves allowing thoughts to flow freely from the mind, resulting in unfiltered prose. This technique typically involves less punctuation and structure, and incorporates "rhetorical breathing"-natural pauses akin to those in conversation-which lend a distinct tone to the writing.

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

Written and published in 1887 by the British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet is the first of four full-length novels to feature the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick. Dr. John Watson. It is also the first novel to feature the magnifying glass as an investigated tool

The story begins with Watson returning to London after being injured while serving as an army doctor in Afghanistan. He meets Sherlock Holmes, who is looking for a roommate, and they become friends. The novel follows the investigation of a munter, in which the police are unable to find any dues that could lead to the identification of the murderer. Holmes is called in to assist with the investigation, and he uses his unique approach to solving crimes to gather evidence and piece together the clues. The investigation takes the reader from the streets of London to the deserts of Utah where the plot involving revenge and betrayal is finally uncovered.

Interestingly, Conan Doyle wrote the entire novel in just three weeks while he was struggling to make ends meet. The book was initially rejected by six publishers before being published in a magazine called Beeton's Christmas Annual The author received 25 for the rights to the story. He never received another penny for it, although fortunately, he retained rights to the character. The novel's title was originally A Tangled Skein but the publisher changed it to the current title.

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ is a fictional novel by Irish writer John Boyne, written and published in 2006. The book is set during World War II and tells the story of an eight-year-old German boy named Bruno, who moves with his family to a new home in a countryside area near a concentration camp

Bruno becomes curious about the camp and the people he sees there. including a boy in striped pyjamas who he befriends through the fence. The novel explores themes of innocence, friendship, and the devastating impact of war on families and individuals. The book has been praised for its powerful portrayal of the Holocaust from the perspective of a child

According to Boyne, the inspiration for the book came from his experience visiting the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. He was struck by the realisation that the camp was located in a residential area, and he began to wonder what it would have been like for a child living in such close proximity to the horrors of the camp. Speaking with The Irish Times the author admitted that he finished the first draft of the novel in roughly 60 hours. This book was also adapted into a film in 2008, directed by English filmmaker Mark Herman.

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What is the importance of camping?

We live in an age of high connectivity, smothered by information online isn't it time to disconnect and recharge? And what better way to do that than in nature? Everything is magical in the wild. The best way to experience the beauty of the wilderness is by going camping. An outdoor activity which involves spending the night in the nature with bare necessities, camping lets one experience the wilderness in all its magnificence. So why not go camping to hill stations during your holidays?

Imagine waking up to a glorious sunrise in the outdoors, as you breathe in the crisp air. Walk barefoot, sinking your feet into the earth. The only sound here might be the sound of a river gurgling or the cackle of birds. The nights are breathtaking, as you sleep under a star-spangled sky, with the stillness of the night getting cut in occasionally by the chirps of crickets. The sky is your roof and the earth is your floor. Where are we? We have come camping!

We live in an age of high connectivity, spending most of our time online. Shouldn't we disconnect and recharge? And what better way to do that than in nature? Everything is magical in the wild. And the best way to experience the beauty of the wilderness is by going camping. An outdoor activity that involves spending the night in nature with bare necessities, camping lets one experience the wilderness in all its magnificence.

A brief history of camping

Thomas Hiram Holding was the founder of modern recreational camping. In 1908, he came up with the first edition of "The Campers Handbook". As a boy, he travelled widely and went on many camping adventures and these provided a base for the books he wrote on camping. He even used a bicycle as his camping vehicle. The book "Cycle and Camp" (1898) was written based on this.

He also founded the first camping club in the world. Christened the "Association of Cycle Campers", the camping club was established in 1901. Come 1907, the club merged with other clubs to form the Camping Club of Great Britain and Ireland. Famous Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott was the first president of the Camping Club in 1909.

Organised camping

However, organised camping started in the U.S. with a boys' camp in 1861. This was run for the students of the Gunnery School for Boys in Washington, Connecticut. It became an instant success and was carried on for 18 years. Soon other similar camps started to be held. In 1888, the first girl’s camp was established on the Thames River in Connecticut. Other youth organisations soon took to camping and made it an integral component of their activities.

Modern camping

Camping has changed over the course of time. It is not just bare necessities that you get at a camp. Recreational camping now provides all the modern amenities. Camping in vehicles a.k.a caravanning (live in a caravan, camper-van) is also preferred by many travellers.

Another type of camping that has caught on is glamping. This falls in the more luxurious and high-end spectrum of camping. Here, you camp in the wild but amidst al the creature comforts such as electricity, running water, mood lighting, comfy blankets, lavish meals, and so on.

But the authentic camping experience is what would help you connect with nature, away from civilisation and come back well refreshed.

Camping checklist

Camping is a fun, adventurous outdoor activity but should not be taken light-heartedly as well.

This is because you will be in the wild and maintaining the unwritten laws of the wild is necessary to have a safe camping trip.

It starts right from the things you wear to how you dispose of the trash generated. If you are a first-timer, then it is advisable that you go camping with a travel company. They can help you pitch the tent and also offer everything needed for camping. Sleeping bags are an essential part of camping trips. They offer a warm and comfortable sleep as it can get much colder at night in nature.

Whilst camping, you will be cooking food on your camping site and you may need a camping stove for that.

Camping chairs, hammocks, and blankets will help you have a relaxed stay in nature. Other essentials you may need to carry include a flashlight, wet wipes for hygiene purposes, quick-drying towels and cloth, power banks, first-aid kits, trash bags, and so on.

*Clothing

What you wear will depend on the season and the type of weather at the destination you are going to. While camping, you will be out in the sun, in the dirt. So always pack moisture-wicking clothes so that you dry faster while outdoors. Carry sunscreen and a sun hat. And if you are camping in the winter, then take appropriate clothing. The trick is to always be ready for the weather. In nature, weather conditions can change unexpectantly and this needs to be taken into consideration while packing essentials.

*Pitching the tent Pick a spot that is not exposed much to the elements of nature. Ensure it has some shade so that it will stand you in good stead in case it were to rain or snow heavily.

*First-aid kit

A first-aid kit is essential on a camping trip. This should include painkillers, antibiotic creams, bandages, gauze, mosquito repellents, medicines for common ailments, and so on. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Ecological concerns

Whilst out in the wild, ensuring the sanctity of the wilderness is cardinal. The best way to leave no trace is to carry trash bags. When out in the wild and camping, you are sharing the space with many other wild animals.

No trash should be left on your camping site. This is essential for the health of the ecosystem and the wild animals inhabiting the region. Even a tiny plastic article can prove fatal for wild animals.

Why go camping?

The benefits of time spent outdoors are countless and more so when camping. The fresh and clean air can work wonders for your body and the mind and you might feel instantly recharged. There are also chances that you will be away from network connectivity and this will give you time to reflect on yourself, and your goals and can serve as the ultimate social media detox.

Camping can also strengthen the bond between friends and family. It is also a physically enduring activity and you learn new skills such as setting up a tent, tying knots, starting fires, cooking meals, and more. It also helps connect with nature, watch wildlife and experience the natural world in all its glory.

And more than that, you learn the minimalist way of existence, one in line with nature. So why not try camping?

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