What is it Important to Study History?

For many people,history classes are seen as no more than requirements on the road to a degree in chemistry, biology, business, marketing, etc. The idea that history is an outdated course of study that will lead to limited career options has spread, but the truth is that studying history is a wonderful way to prepare for a successful future. For those students who are interested in history—and especially for those who aren’t—it’s crucial to take a minute to consider why history is an important subject, and what you can learn from it. Below are a few reasons why it’s critical that today’s generations continue to learn about the past.


Understanding Where People Come from is Key in Understanding Who They Are
History has shaped cultures, attitudes, and social structures; it’s molded the world and its citizens. For this reason, it’s essential to understand history in order to comprehend why people are the way that they are. This is insight that is valuable to professionals going into virtually any field, as it can help shape human interaction in a way that is strategic, culturally sensitive, and ultimately positive.

Learning About History can Change How You Think
Through history classes, you can experience a shift in the way you think. Called a paradigm shift, this means that you look at things from a new angle, as you understand the world in a new way. Many college courses can cause this, and it’s important to developing minds to be able to consider problems from different angles. Ultimately, this shift can improve your ability to assess and understand situations, to make educated decisions, and to learn how to weigh the consequences associated with each choice before you. While a history degree will by no means provide you with a roadmap for life, it will teach you where to go for information when you need it.

Learning from the Past Prevents Future Mistakes
The idea that history repeats itself is rooted in truth. From wars to fashion to political trends, historians are often able to make predictions about the future based upon the past. By having a firm grasp on what happened in the past, today’s generation can better prepare for a brighter future by making the right decisions—instead of repeating old mistakes. Again, this is something that can benefit anyone, not just professional historians. For instance, a business owner can study the experiences of others and make better choices when it comes to marketing, expanding, and manufacturing. A doctor can study the work of other doctors and use their experiences to rule out diagnoses, pinpoint previously unseen symptoms, and save their patients. From a personal perspective, individuals can look to the successes and failures of others to avoid making professional, relationship, and other key mistakes.

History Degrees can Lead to Well-paying Careers
The idea that a degree in history can’t lead to a lucrative career is a bit of a myth. In fact, students who graduate with degrees in history can become lawyers, paralegals, legislative staff members, foundation leaders, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and members of think tanks. Additionally, history degrees can lead to work as an educator, a museum curator, a leader in a historical organization, a writer, an editor, a journalist, a member of documentary production teams, or a producer of multimedia material. All of these jobs, depending on how long you work in the field and the state of the industry, can provide a comfortable lifestyle.

Past Experiences can Inspire Future Triumphs
Just as learning from the past can prevent future mistakes, it can spark success. For example, a scientist may be able to, with their current knowledge, identify where an experiment performed decades ago went wrong. They can use this knowledge to conduct the experiment again, this time without the mistake that caused it to go awry in the first place, leading to a more successful result. Furthermore, the work that previous generations have completed may inspire today’s professionals to undertake projects that they previously wouldn’t have considered. This means that history can shape not only who we are, but what we do with our futures.

History is a fascinating subject, and no matter how boring a required history class may seem, it can have a strong influence on your life, your perspective, and the decisions that you make in the future. The key to enjoying the study of history is to find classes that interest you—and to learn how to apply their ideas to larger themes. If you’re interested in studying history, it’s important for you to know that this degree can take you great places if you put your mind to it. From affording you a career as a lawyer to a better understanding of the world around you, studying history can change your life in many positive ways.
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How To End an Affair

Why Do People Have Affair?

Well, our heart makes us do things. Physical or emotional attraction to a person or his/her attitude towards you makes it enticing to share intimate moments with him/her. We enjoy attention and sometimes we fall in the trap of temptation. An affair could be emotional or physical. Whatever be the nature of an affair, from getting tempted to having an affair and then ending it, it all turns your entire life topsy-turvy. Affair or flings can be very alluring especially if you find someone who, at that time, seems to be perfect in every sense.

The urge to be near that person is so strong that you justify your actions. The lure is such that you jump in the relationship and justify yourself but realize later that it just can't go on. More often than not, the fear of losing one's family and other issues are bound to bother the cheating spouse. So, if you are having an affair with a married man/woman, it's time to rethink and stop justifying your actions. An extra-marital affair must be ended as soon as possible, unless the cheating spouse has made up his/her mind to end his/her marriage. If one has decided to end an affair, he/she must think about the best way to end an affair and then reconnect at home.

Ways to End an Affair

Though it might seem like an ordeal, you must realize that the affair needs to be ended as soon as possible. If your conscience has awakened and you don't wish to lose your family, the thoughts of ending the relationship will find a way into your head. Once that happens, the relationship is already over. Don't hold on to such a relationship with all your might. You might wonder how to end an affair with someone you love. It is difficult as it involves a lot of memories and great moments of love and intimacy, but if that relationship was based on being unfaithful to another, your love wasn't pure and flawless. When faith is the foundation for love, life becomes blissful. If you have strong feelings for that person, but you think your affair was a blunder, you must end it soon, rather than getting run down by feelings of guilt. So, be polite and tell your lover that things must end.

Don't let your emotions control you, now it's time you control your emotions. Don't say hurtful words. Once you have expressed your feelings, try not to bump into each other. Avoid embarrassing situations and let this chapter of your life end completely. All this involves a lot of courage on your part, so muster up the strength to undo the wrongs and create harmony in your life. You might need a change from this emotionally turbulent phase of your life, so go out with friends. Pen your thoughts and connect to yourself. If you don't let your feelings overpower your intelligence, your own thoughts might guide you on ways to end a relationship gracefully.

Ending an Affair with a Co-worker

You must resist the temptation even if you find yourself getting attracted to a co-worker. At times, people get tempted and have an affair with a co-worker, and later feel that this relationship is becoming a distraction. It might have been an unemotional affair for you, but the other person could have gotten emotionally attached to you. This is a very tricky situation. Handling relationships at workplace can be a daunting task. Don't let it get messy. Make sure that as you break the news about your desire to end your relationship, you are away from the office premises. Be kind to the person and make sure there are no hard feelings. Being harsh will only make matters worse. Let your decision be firm. Let it be crystal clear that it is over completely. Be polite, but don't give an impression that you would be willing to resume your relationship anytime later. Learn the art of diplomacy, and in case you bump into him/her, be polite and yet stay aloof.

Ending an Affair with a Friend
Friends first, lovers later. It's hard to realize how and when you fall for one of your closest friends. You might be emotionally vulnerable, especially when your marriage is falling apart, and you might lean on your friend for support. Though you might enjoy secrecy and romance for some time, guilt would envelop your mind later. Your emotional affair might start with you looking up to your friend rather than your spouse for support and care. He/she knows what makes you happy and what makes you sad. Your gestures, desires, and everything that forms a part of your personality is known to him/her. You could be tempted to take the relationship at the next level. Affairs are all about temptation. If you couldn't remain 'just friends', but still wish to resolve your marriage issues, you will have to end your affair. If your friend turns out be mature, a gentle request to him/her might solve the issue. Give time to yourself and your family. So, reconnect at home and strengthen the bond with your family. The moment you feel that the affair has to end, take a firm stand. Delaying tactics will only make matters worse. So, take a bold step and stay way from your lover so that you are not lured back into the affair again.

Desire is the cause of suffering. Ask yourself whether your desire was right or wrong. Think of the reason why you got lured into having an affair. Communicate with your spouse and work things out if possible. Don't belittle your love by cheating on your spouse. Why make lies and excuses for some thrill which will not last forever. So, why have an extra-marital affair?

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List of the World's Rarest Gemstones...

Did You Know

Colored diamonds are extremely rare and are called fancies. Some of the most famous fancies are the Hope Diamond, the Moussaieff Red, the Heart of Eternity, and the Pumpkin Diamond, among others.

 

The moment we hear the word 'gemstones', we conjure up images of beautiful stones with sparkling surfaces, that come in colors of the rainbow. Some of the more common ones that we know are sapphires, rubies, emeralds, etc. However, there are many gemstones that very few know of, yet they are beautiful and of great value.

These stones are considered rare because they are found only in certain regions of the world, and more often than not, it is extremely difficult to find a perfect specimen of these beauties. As a result, most of these stones come with a huge price tag that is close to thousands of dollars. This article gives you an insight into the wonderful world of gemstones that are the rarest in the world.

The Rarest Gemstones in the World

So, here we begin with the list. Note that the gems are listed in no particular order.

1. Fancies

A diamond that is of a bright color, is known as a fancy. Fancies are much rarer than white diamonds, and constitute many of the world's most famous diamonds. The Hope Diamond, which is a fancy deep blue diamond, is one such example. Among all the colors that fancies come in, including yellow, blue, red, pink, purple, orange, brown, green, black, and gray, you're least likely to come across a red fancy, because it is the rarest. In fact, these are so rare that only 35 of them have been discovered till date!

2. Jeremejevite

Pronounced as ye-REM-ay-ev-ite, this aluminum borate mineral was discovered by Russian mineralogist Pavel Eremeev in Siberia in 1883. It is colorless, pale blue, or pale yellow-brown in color, and resembles aquamarine. The naturally occurring crystals of the mineral are obelisk-shaped, and the best quality gems are mined from Namibia. The best quality jeremejevite specimens are priced between USD1,500 and USD 2,000 per carat.

3. Red Beryl

Originally named bixbite, in the honor of mineralogist Maynard Bixby who discovered the gem in Utah in 1904, it is now known as red beryl to avoid confusion with bixbyite, which is a different mineral named after the same person. Red beryl is a compound of aluminum, beryllium, silicon, and oxygen, and is known by other names such as red emerald and scarlet emerald. The red to red-purple color is due to the presence of traces of manganese. The Ruby Violet mine in the Wah Wah Mountains of Beaver County in Utah is the only site of commercial production of gem quality red beryl.

The presence of different trace metals imparts different colors to the mineral. For example, green beryl has traces of chromium or vanadium, while golden and aquamarine beryls get their color due to traces of iron. However, red beryl is the rarest, and is often deemed to be 8000 times rarer than rubies! These red beauties are priced at around USD 10,000 per carat for cut stones.

4. Black Opal

If you love opals, then head to Australia, because more than 95% of the world's fine opals are mined in this country. No wonder then, that opal is Australia's national gemstone! Among the different types of opals, black opals are the rarest, and are highly valued. They are mined in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales in South Australia, and in the states of Idaho and Nevada in the US. Black opals are solid black or dark gray, and absorb scattered white light to produce a brilliant display of colors. These rare gems are priced at around USD 2,000 per carat.

5. Musgravite

One of the rarest gemstones in the world, musgravite is named after the Musgrave Range in Central Australia where it was discovered in 1967. It is mainly composed of beryllium, aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. Musgravite appears similar to its close cousin taffeite, which is a rare gemstone in itself. However, musgravite is rarer, and the two can be easily distinguished with the use of green laser spectroscopy. Musgravite is also mined in small quantities in Greenland, Madagascar, and even Antarctica, but is not of gem quality.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) considers the gem "a rarity among the rare...". In fact, it is so rare that, as of 2005, only eight known specimens of the stone existed in the world! Gem quality musgravite is priced at around USD 6,000 per carat.

6. Painite

Painite was considered the rarest gemstone on Earth, because only two specimens of the mineral existed for decades after its discovery in 1951, in the Magok region of Myanmar, by British mineralogist Arthur Charles Davy Pain. Named after the man who discovered it, painite is a hexagonal crystal that is composed of aluminum, calcium, zirconium, boron, and oxygen, in addition to traces of iron, which impart a reddish-brown to orange-red hue to the gem. It is strongly pleochroic, which means it emits different colors when viewed from different angles. It appears green under short wave UV light. Today, when the mineral is not considered the rarest anymore, you can buy faceted painite crystals for around USD 200 per carat.

7. Grandidierite

A bluish-green stone, grandidierite is primarily mined in Madagascar. However, the first and only faceted specimen of this stone was found in Sri Lanka, and was initially mistaken for serendibite. This rare gemstone is trichroic, which means it emits three different colors, namely green, blue, and white, when viewed from different angles. It was discovered by the French explorer Alfred Grandidier, and was named after him. Gem quality grandidierite costs more than USD 20,000 per carat.

8. Serendibite

Serendibite derives its name from Serendib, which was the erstwhile name of Sri Lanka where it was discovered by rare stone specialist G.P. Gunasekera. The gemstone is characterized by its cyan color, and a very complex chemical formula that includes aluminum, calcium, boron, silicon, magnesium, and oxygen. This gem mineral is so rare that only three faceted specimens are known to exist, and each one of them weighs less than 1 carat. Of the three specimens that weigh 0.35, 0.55, and 0.56 carats, the first two were discovered by Gunasekera. The price of the stone is around USD 1.8 to 2 million per carat.

9. Poudretteite

Poudretteite is a pink mineral that was first discovered during the 1960s in a quarry near Mont Saint-Hilaire in Quebec, Canada. It was named after the Poudrette family who were the owners and operators of the quarry. In the year 2000, many small specimens of the stone were discovered in Myanmar, including the first gem-quality specimen. Poudretteite is a very soft stone and easily suffers scratches, and hence, is not suitable for use in rings. However, it can be used in delicate pieces of jewelry, such as pendants and brooches. The price of a carat of poudretteite is around USD 3000.

10. Tanzanite

Tanzanite derives its name from Tanzania, the African nation which is the only source of the mineral in the world. While the gem mineral occurs in nature in different shades of blue, ranging from pale blue to dark violet-blue, it is the dark-colored gems that fetch a bigger price. Tanzanite is pleochroic, and appears to change colors when viewed from different angles. It is priced at around USD 1000 per carat.
Jadeite is another rare mineral that is priced at around USD 5,000 per carat, and is mined in Guatemala and California. Thus, we see that there are many gems out there that we've probably never even heard of! So, have you ever come across any of them?

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Most Common Mistakes Young Sales People Make

Pareto Principle, commonly known as the 80-20 rule, applies to the salespeople as well. According to this rule, 20% of the salespeople generate 80% of the sales revenue of an organization.

Sales is one of the most demanding jobs in the world, and not everyone is cut out for it. A sales job is extremely challenging, as you have to constantly be at your best to win over a client. It also comes with the challenge of facing constant rejections. If you get snubbed from a prospective client, all you can afford to do is to regain your composure and meet the next lead or make that next cold call. A salesperson needs to be good with his product knowledge, presentation, and persuasion and negotiation skills, if he has to survive in this challenging field.

Seasoned salespeople often say that selling is an art, and one subtle mistake can really make or break an offer. Although everyone is prone to making mistakes, young salespeople who have just started out in this field, end up making some goof-ups that cost them dearly.

Mistakes Young Sales Professionals Make

Dishing Out Irrelevant Information
Young salespeople often make the mistake of divulging unnecessary details to their prospects. As a result of this, the prospective client gets an overdose of irrelevant information, which can leave him confused and frustrated. Instead of asking clients about their specific needs, the salesperson ends up giving out unnecessary and vague details, which the prospect can't relate to. Young salespeople need to learn the art of hearing out their prospects completely, before going on and on about how the product or service will be beneficial to them.

Not Building Rapport or Overdoing It
Young sales professionals often make the mistake of forgetting how important rapport building is in the sales domain. They talk endlessly about their product, without getting to know the prospect in the first place. It is a well-known fact that people tend to transact with someone with whom they have some level of comfort. Without a comfortable working relationship, it is a bit difficult to discuss the intricacies of an offer. Most young salespeople think of prospects as 'buyers', and try to sell quickly and hastily, which never augurs well for them. On the contrary, some young salespeople take the lesson of building rapport with their prospects a tad too seriously. Asking the prospect about his favorite movie or NFL team doesn't really make sense when he is short on time. There is no hard and fast rule about how much rapport-building a salesperson should do with a prospect. If you feel that the prospect has considerable time and is actively participating in informal talk, you should play along, but if you notice that the prospect isn't someone who likes to beat around the bush, it is prudent to come to the point and talk about business.

Ignoring the Importance of Preparation
A lot of young sales personnel have this fleeting delusion that they will be so good at their sales presentation, that the client will immediately lap up the offer. Because of this, they fail to put in the effort to know about their prospect and their interests. Seasoned sales experts often opine that doing homework before meeting the prospect is one of the most important activity as far as closing a deal is concerned. An inability to know about the origin and history of the prospect's business reflects poorly on the salesperson, and sends out a notion that you are not too concerned about him.

Showing a Sense of Desperation to Close the Deal
It has often observed that young sales executives are quite enthusiastic about closing a deal, but they need to be careful that this enthusiasm doesn't look like a desperate attempt to sell at all costs to the prospect. Many sales gurus lay emphasis on creating a deadline around a deal, so that the prospect doesn't wander into that "I will think about it" territory, but it has to be done without showing the prospect that your life depends on it. It has also been observed that some young salespeople become too pushy while meeting prospective clients. If a prospect is not interested in buying your product or services, there is no point in pursuing him relentlessly. It is a sign of being unprofessional and curt, and does not augur well for your career, as your reputation takes a hit.

Basing Their Whole Offer on the Price
Young and inexperienced salespeople often have this fallacy that the deciding factor for a deal is the price. The fact is that price is a concern for only a minuscule percentage of companies who aren't too concerned about the quality of the service provider. On the other hand, a majority of business houses are ready to shell out more money to get quality services. By talking about price and price alone, novice salespeople send out a wrong signal to the prospect that their world revolves around money, while quality is put on the back burner.

Becoming a Yes Man
Amateur salespeople often end up saying yes to most of the demands of their prospects. The reason for this is a perception that saying no will make the prospect angry, or lead to an end to the discussion. First and foremost, one needs to remember that prospects are pros in their field, who have years of experience behind them on how to negotiate with salespeople. Like a salesperson, they are doing their job of getting the maximum services for their company at a reasonable price. They view the discussion purely on the basis of the services that are being offered to them, therefore, a salesperson should also view the discussion in the same context. It is absolutely OK for a salesperson to be upfront with the prospect, and tell him politely as to why certain demands cannot be fulfilled.

Not Scrutinizing the Leads Properly
Young salespersons also make the mistake of putting in their hard effort in enticing someone who doesn't qualify as a potential client. One may get a list of leads, but it is not necessary that every phone number on that list needs to be called. Novice salespeople end up spending a considerable amount of time with a person who doesn't really need or can't afford the offer in the first place. Therefore, it is very important to screen the prospective clients properly before scheduling a meeting with them.

Failing to Follow Up
People new to the field of sales often forget to follow up on their prospects. Although the sales job is really demanding as you have to keep track of numerous leads and prospects, nothing is more important than delivering on what you have promised to a prospective client. Failure to follow up may not only lead to a loss of sale, but it also reflects poorly upon you as a professional. If the word goes out that you fail to honor your commitment, not many prospects would want to even have a discussion with you in future.

Pitching Too Soon
Many people believe that the sales pitch is the most important part of the whole act. Having worked in the sales industry for a considerable amount of time, I can tell you that a pitch, like a climax, works best when there is a substantial build up to it. When you ask relevant questions, and engage the prospect in the discussion, while providing him an insight on how your product is best suited to his needs, he becomes curious to know what you have in store for him. Your pitch then becomes as important for the prospect as it is for you. However, if you make the pitch without making the prospect a part of the discussion, you run the risk of an outright rejection.

Talking the Prospect Out of a Deal!
While it may sound bizarre, I have personally seen a few of my new colleagues ruin the sale by talking about things they could have simply avoided. After you have closed the deal, all you should possibly look to do is to thank the customer for his time and patience. Talking about the deal should be avoided unless the prospect asks you about it.

These were some common mistakes made by new salespeople around the world. It is not as if young salespeople only make mistakes; even seasoned players are prone to gaffes. It is just that, like in every other field, one makes the maximum mistakes when one is on the learning curve. But what differentiates a top salesperson from an average one, is the fact that, the former tends to learn from his mistakes, while the latter keeps on repeating them.
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27th Amendment Explained

Did You Know

The Twenty Seventh Amendment to the U.S Constitution is the longest any Amendment has taken to be ratified. It was initially proposed in 1789, and took more than 200 years before it was ratified in 1992.

 

 

Imagine a world where every person could decide when and how much of a pay raise he or she would get, even without asking for permission from anyone. The members of the U.S. Congress actually lived such a life till 1992. In this year, a historic Amendment put an end to these state of affairs. Although it is not very well-known, the history of the 27th Amendment to the Constitution is quite interesting.

27th Amendment Summary

 

According to the Constitution, the Amendment states, "No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened". Essentially, the meaning of the 27th Amendment is that, any pay raises that were elected for approval would only be effective after the next Congressional session. The logic behind such a law was that, legislators would be more reluctant to give themselves a raise if they risked not being reelected, thereby being unable to benefit from the raise. Besides, giving yourself a raise is almost always a bad move in politics, as the constituents could view such an action to be unfair, and vote for someone else during the time of the elections. Now that we know what the 27th Amendment means, let's learn about why this law came into being.

Why Was the 27th Amendment Created?

 

Ever since the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788, the American people had been concerned that the law makers of the country would try to get into office only to act in self-interest, rather than to work for the country, by giving themselves random unwarranted pay raises. In response to this, it was James Madison who wrote the Twenty-Seventh Amendment, and proposed that it be included as a part of the Constitution in 1789. Despite several other Amendments getting approved and being identified as the 'Bill of Rights', the 27th Amendment was ratified by only six states: Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont, and Delaware, which was nowhere close enough. Therefore, the proposal was suspended.

This state of affairs continued for another 203 years, which made it the longest ratification process in the history of the nation. However, in 1982, a student from the University of Texas, named Gregory Watson, wrote a college assignment on John Madison's suspended proposal. As he worked on the project, his interest piqued, and he ended up launching a campaign to pass the proposal as a law. However, because the proposal was over 200 years old, few believed that it would actually be ratified. However, after a decade of efforts from Watson and other supporters, the Amendment was passed on May 7,1992, when Michigan would be the 38th state to ratify the provision, finally bringing James Madison's work to fruition.

Why is it Important?

 

Once passed, what the 27th Amendment did, was to make sure that the members of Congress could not pass laws for their pay raises, and any effort made to do so would not have an effect to the end of the upcoming election. These restrictions were necessary, as the people in Congress would keep the needs of the nation in mind, rather than their own. Also, new proposals that have been made by Congress have all been set with expiry dates, so that if the proposal is not agreed upon, it is then voided. Future efforts to bring back a said proposal would require starting the process from scratch.

What is unusual about the 27th Amendment, however, is that, while most people think of it in relation to stopping only pay raises, it actually also stops the members of Congress from voting for pay cuts. However, in recent years, Congress has violated this Amendment by freezing their pay since 2009, by undoing cost-of-living adjustments to the budget. Critics have viewed this as a political ploy by Congress members to please the ordinary citizens of America by saving taxpayer money. It is alleged that, the pay freeze would be repealed after the elections, or they could sue to recover their back pay. These violations are yet to be challenged under the Amendment. It is up to the public to work on the enforcement of the Amendment and bring clarity to the issue once and for all.

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Meaning And Origin Of The Expression "Wax Potic"

Did You Know

There is a New York-based trip hop band called 'Wax Poetic'

 

."Your eyes are like a dust of verdant strewn over glistening pools of luscious blue; one pool seeks north while the other inclines toward south". Wow, the sound of this sent a gratifying tremor around my body, only after reading through the lines I realized the person whose 'one pool seeks north while the other inclines toward south' is in fact walleyed. Nonetheless, I instantly fell in love with this poetic and romantic description.

This is what 'wax poetic' exactly means. You use lofty, ornate, and verbose language to describe something relatively unremarkable. I'm sure the woman on whom this flowery description was thrown must have felt out of the world despite her ocular aberration. That's the power of wax poetic fellas.

Meaning of 'wax poetic'

 

Moving on. So how did 'wax poetic' come into being in the literary world as we know it? The verb 'wax' which means increase in size has been used to describe the expanding of moon's illumination since like a very loonnggg time. A waxing moon is a gradual transformation of the moon from a luminescent splinter to a full-bodied glowing beauty.

The opposite of waxing is waning, where the full lit moon decreases in size gradually and completely gets shadowed. However, these two quaintly charming words are now supplanted by 'grow' and 'decrease', but 'wax' still has its charm intact, and this can be credited to some creative fecund minds of the yore who used it like a rising crescendo of a mellifluous song as well as to make it cloyingly poetic.

Origin'

 

Wax lyrical', 'wax eloquent', 'wax sentimental', and 'wax poetic' are peas of the same pod, which means writing or speaking in a smotheringly and increasingly flowery language. 'Waxing poetic' was first found in Sir Henry Morton Stanley’s book How I Found Livingstone, 1872: "One could almost wax poetic, but we will keep such ambitious ideas for a future day." This made him our history's first official waxer, we hope you know in what context we mean ;)

In short, when you are totally enthused or passionate about something, you use wax poetic, since you are under its spell, and so you are seduced to aggrandizing it.

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What Can You Substitute For Cloves

Cloves and other spices are an important part of our cooking. Mainly coming from Asia, they are also produced in some other parts of the world. But finding them may not be easy every time and that's when you may need to find their substitutes. What can you substitute for cloves and still get that needed aroma in your recipe?

Handy Tips;-
✦ You can store cloves in an airtight container for a year. Just make sure that it is not in direct contact with sunlight.

✦ As compared to whole cloves, ground ones lose their flavor faster.

✦ Always check that the cloves are in good condition. If they are reddish brown in color and emit oil when pressed, they are good.

Cloves are aromatic, dried flower buds, which are among the most popular spices used in several dishes. Native to Indonesia, they are also cultivated in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. Their peculiar smell and taste is because of the dominant chemical eugenol. Cloves are commonly used in Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurvedic medicine, and for dental emergencies in the west. There are many medicinal uses to them.

Cloves are a part of the Asian and African cuisine. They are used in curries and marinades to give them an aromatic flavor. They may also be used in hot beverages, salad dressings, and desserts. You may get them in any Asian/Indian store or online. In case you do not, use one of their substitutes. Given below are some of the closest alternatives for cloves.

Substitutes for Cloves

Ground Cloves
There is a higher chance of you having ground cloves than having whole ones. The powder may be used. It is advisable to use not more than 1/4 teaspoon when using it for the first time. It will have a strong flavor so adjust the proportion as per the other ingredients. For starters, you can use this proportion: 1 tsp. whole cloves = ¾ tsp. ground cloves. If the recipe calls for ground cloves but you have whole ones, use them. They substitute each other.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice which is the inner bark of trees. It is used in savory dishes and desserts. It can be used as an alternative to cloves because it contains the same chemical, eugenol. It will be best used in baking recipes like buns or pumpkin pies. Use the cinnamon in equal amounts of cloves, needed in the recipe. This will surely help in flavoring the food.

Nutmeg
Nutmeg is an oval seed which is famous as a spice. Like cinnamon, it has eugenol, though in less proportions. It is known as the main pumpkin spice so it will be best used in a pumpkin pie. Use it in the same proportion of the cloves needed. It is generally found in the ground state so a little bit of it can do the trick. You may use it in soups, potato dishes, and even in baking.

Mace
Mace is the covering of a nutmeg but is sold as a different spice. The taste is also similar but mace is slightly more delicate. Hence, it can be a great equivalent. Use it in the same proportion like cinnamon and nutmeg. It is best used in roast meats and baking, just add it before cooking with all the other ingredients. Mace may give a saffron-like hue to the recipe.

Allspice
Allspice is a dried, unripe berry which is also called Jamaica pepper or newspice. The name 'allspice' was coined because of the belief that it has a combined flavor of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It is a very common ingredient of curry powders. It is best used for flavoring meat dishes, stews, or even desserts. Use allspice in the same proportion of cloves needed.

Celery, basil, dill, and star anise also contain eugenol, which is why they can also be used as clove substitutes, but keep them as the last options. You may also use mustard, white/black peppercorns, or pumpkin pie spice. However, the five alternatives given above are the closest.
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Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-can-you-substitute-for-cloves.html