Plain English
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Five more favorites from 900 episodes
October 5, 2026 · 20 minToday's story: We continue our look back at 900 Plain English lessons with five more favorite topics. We revisit stories about airport chapels, the history of QR codes, what makes a good apology, the debate over top sheets, and the…
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Highlights from 900 Plain English stories
September 28, 2026 · 18 minToday's story: This week, Plain English is celebrating its 900th episode. We've touched on stories big and small over the years, and this is a time to look back on some of our favorites. In part 1, we look back on episodes about the movie…
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France lends the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum
September 21, 2026 · 14 minToday's story: The Bayeux Tapestry, a nearly 1,000-year-old embroidered account of the Norman Conquest, has traveled from France to the British Museum for a rare exhibition in London. The fragile 70-meter work required carefully engineered…
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America is united in opposition to data centers
September 14, 2026 · 17 minToday's story: As artificial intelligence drives demand for more computing power, huge new data centers are being proposed across the United States. But local communities are pushing back over higher electricity costs, noise, and blight…
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Dolly Parton was a great singer and a better person
September 7, 2026 · 16 minToday's story: Dolly Parton, the country music singer, died at age 80. She rose from rural poverty to become one of the most celebrated musical artists of her generation. While she was famous for her music, she was beloved for her…
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Expression: Eat away at
September 3, 2026 · 12 minLearn the English expression, "eat away at" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/eat-away-at -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear…
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Postcards are fading into the past
August 31, 2026 · 14 minToday's story: The first postcards were sold in the late 1800s and quickly became a popular way to communicate. In the days before social media (and even consumer photography), they were a fast and cheap way to communicate. But across the…
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Expression: Better off
August 27, 2026 · 7 minLearn the English expression, "better off" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/better-off -- Plain English helps you improve your English: Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear…