Plain English

Today'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 "Crazy Rich Asians", a taste test that went awry, television personality Regis Philbin, and a surprising scam at McDonald's. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/900

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/900

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
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Mentioned in this episode:

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Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Today'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 transportation and will remain on display until July 2027. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/899

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/899

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
• Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Today'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 that go along with data centers. Opposition has brought together voters across political parties and led some towns to block or delay new projects. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/898

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/898

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
• Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Today'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 personality. Generous, authentic, and accepting, she united fans from many different worlds. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/897

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/897

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
• Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Learn the English expression, "eat away at"

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/eat-away-at

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
• Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Today'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 world, postcard usage is falling sharply (except one specific type of postcard). Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/895

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/895

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
• Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Learn the English expression, "better off"

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/better-off

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
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Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Today's story: Scientists at the University of Minnesota built a synthetic cell entirely from non-living chemical ingredients. Called SpudCell, it can absorb nutrients, copy its genetic code, divide into two, and even show natural selection over several generations. However, it still depends on scientists to supply key cellular machinery, cannot reproduce forever, and does not always pass on a complete set of DNA. Researchers hope this fully documented cell will help them understand how life works and eventually develop engineered cells that can produce fuels, plastics, or medicines. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/893

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/893

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
• Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Learn what it means to "distance yourself" from someone or something

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/distance-yourself

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
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Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!

Today's story: Europe’s new Entry/Exit System replaces passport stamps with digital records and biometric checks. But its rollout during peak travel season caused long lines, missed connections, and confusion at major airports. Technical problems, staffing shortages, and slow first-time registrations made the delays worse. Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/891

Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/891

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Plain English helps you improve your English:

• Learn about the world and improve your English
• Clear, natural English at a speed you can understand
• New stories every week
• Learn even more at PlainEnglish.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Hard words? No problem

Never be confused by difficult words in Plain English again!