Plain English
de Jeff at Plain English
Cel mai nou episod
NYC votes to ban horse-drawn carriages
NYC votes to ban horse-drawn carriages
Despre acest podcast
Improve your English and learn about the world at the same time. Plain English brings you short, modern stories about culture, science, travel, business, and everyday life, all told in clear, natural English designed for learners.
You’ll grow your vocabulary, improve your listening skills, and build your confidence one episode at a time.
Like the show? Sign up free at PlainEnglish.com and get a personalized learning path.
Episoade
Cele mai noi 50 din 929 episoade
- NYC votes to ban horse-drawn carriages · 15 min · Episodul 906Today's story: Horse-drawn carriages have been part of New York City life since the 1800s. Though New Yorkers no longer use them to get from point A to point B, rides through…
- Andy Burnham is Britain's most casual PM yet · 13 min · Episodul 905Today's story: Andy Burnham became Britain's prime minister in July, and immediately faced a dilemma: should he continue to wear the polo shirts, jeans, and casual jackets that…
- The past and present of marathons · 17 min · Episodul 904Today's story: The marathon takes its name from a Greek legend about a messenger who ran from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens with news of victory. That story isn't quite…
- New way to catch burglars: DNA in the air · 15 min · Episodul 903Today's story: Burglars often leave no fingerprints or hair behind, but they may still leave traces of themselves floating in the air. What if that could be used to help solve…
- New women's record to solve a Rubik's cube · 17 min · Episodul 902Today's story: Six-year-old Lian Yunzhi from China set a new Rubik’s cube world record with an average time of 4.27 seconds, breaking her own record just three days after setting…
- Five more favorites from 900 episodes · 20 min · Episodul 901Today'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…
- Highlights from 900 Plain English stories · 18 min · Episodul 900Today'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…
- France lends the Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum · 14 min · Episodul 899Today'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…
- America is united in opposition to data centers · 17 min · Episodul 898Today'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…
- Dolly Parton was a great singer and a better person · 16 min · Episodul 897Today'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…
- Expression: Eat away at · 12 min · Episodul 896Learn 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…
- Postcards are fading into the past · 14 min · Episodul 895Today'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)…
- Expression: Better off · 7 min · Episodul 894Learn the English expression, "better off" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/better-off -- Plain English helps you improve your…
- Meet the lab-made SpudCell · 14 min · Episodul 893Today'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…
- Expression: Distance yourself · 13 min · Episodul 892Learn what it means to "distance yourself" from someone or something Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/distance-yourself -- Plain…
- Europe’s new border system causes airport chaos · 16 min · Episodul 891Today'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…
- Expression: On hand · 12 min · Episodul 890Learn what it means to have something "on hand" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/on-hand-2 -- Plain English helps you improve your…
- Frozen yogurt is making a comeback · 15 min · Episodul 889Today's story: Greek-style frozen yogurt is becoming popular around the world, thanks to its tangy flavor, bright appearance, and colorful toppings. Although it is marketed as a…
- Expression: Up to date · 10 min · Episodul 888Learn what it means to keep something "up to date" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/up-to-date -- Plain English helps you improve…
- E-bikes: just like bicycles, but a bit less effort · 16 min · Episodul 887Today's story: E-bikes combine traditional cycling with battery-powered assistance, helping riders travel faster, climb hills, and cover longer distances with less effort. They…
- Expression: Above and beyond · 11 min · Episodul 886Learn what it means to go "above and beyond" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/above-and-beyond -- Plain English helps you improve…
- Spain outlasts Argentina to win its second World Cup · 17 min · Episodul 885Today's story: Spain won its second World Cup on the strength of its defense, allowing just one goal in the entire tournament. In the final game, La Roja needed extra time to…
- Expression: Carry out · 9 min · Episodul 884Learn what it means to "carry out" plans or wishes Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/carry-out -- Plain English helps you improve…
- What’s it like when the sun never sets? · 13 min · Episodul 883Today's story: In cities of the far north, it never gets fully dark around the summer solstice. Cities and towns celebrate with festivals, outdoor events, and late-night…
- Expression: Put on · 9 min · Episodul 882Learn a new way to use the phrasal verb, "put on." Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/put-on -- Plain English helps you improve your…
- Summer vacation: a short history · 14 min · Episodul 881Today's story: Have you ever heard that “summer vacation” from school started so kids could work on the farm? That common story is not true. The modern summer break began in…
- Expression: Turn down · 10 min · Episodul 880Learn what it means to "turn down" an offer Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/turn-down -- Plain English helps you improve your…
- Five early stories from the World Cup · 20 min · Episodul 879Today's story: The 2026 World Cup is making headlines both on and off the field. FIFA's high ticket prices have not hurt demand, new hydration breaks are changing the pace of…
- Expression: Stay put · 11 min · Episodul 878Learn what it means to "stay put." Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/stay-put -- Plain English helps you improve your English: •…
- America turns 250 without a proper party · 15 min · Episodul 877The United States celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, but the milestone has lacked the excitement and national unity that marked the bicentennial in 1976. Years of delays…
- Expression: All of a sudden · 11 min · Episodul 876Learn the English expression, "all of a sudden." Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/all-of-a-sudden -- Plain English helps you…
- Should you 'Skip intro'? · 15 min · Episodul 875Today's story: Television title sequences began as a way to introduce shows and credit the people who made them. As viewing habits changed from channel-surfing to streaming and…
- Expression: With a straight face · 12 min · Episodul 874Learn the English expression, "with a straight face." (Can you keep one?) Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/with-a-straight-face…
- Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar are the new cola rivals · 15 min · Episodul 873Today's story: The 'cola wars' of the 1980s and 1990s pitted Coca-Cola against Pepsi. Both brands had their classic recipes and their 'diet' alternatives. But as consumers…
- Expression: Grow up · 13 min · Episodul 872Learn the English expression "grow up" (and why even fully grown adults sometimes need to do it sometimes) Get the full story and learning resources…
- Free and cheap houses in Japan (with a catch) · 15 min · Episodul 871Today's story: Japan has millions of vacant homes, especially in rural areas where populations are shrinking. Some of these properties, known as akiya, are sold for surprisingly…
- Expression: Boil over · 11 min · Episodul 870Learn the English phrasal verb, "boil over." Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/boil-over -- Plain English helps you improve your…
- Paris catacombs reopen after renovation · 14 min · Episodul 869Today's story: Beneath the streets of Paris is a huge network of underground tunnels filled with the bones of millions of former residents. Originally built as limestone…
- Expression: Hold out hope · 9 min · Episodul 868Learn the English expression, "hold out hope" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/hold-out-hope -- Plain English helps you improve…
- Route 66 and the classic American road trip · 17 min · Episodul 867Today's story: Route 66 was created in 1926 as part of America’s new national highway system and soon became a symbol of freedom, migration, and adventure. The highway helped…
- Expression: Get away with · 9 min · Episodul 866Learn the English phrasal verb, "get away with" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/get-away-with -- Plain English helps you improve…
- Prediction markets let you bet on world events · 16 min · Episodul 865Today's story: Prediction markets allow people to bet on elections, weather, wars, and other real-world events. Supporters say these markets reveal valuable information more…
- Expression: Blend in · 12 min · Episodul 864Learn the English phrasal verb, "blend in" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/blend-in -- Plain English helps you improve your…
- What it's like to ride in a self-driving car · 18 min · Episodul 863Today's story: What's it like to ride in a self-driving car? Jeff gives you a first-hand account of his first-ever ride in a robotaxi. In cities like Los Angeles, where Waymo…
- Expression: Straighten out · 10 min · Episodul 862Learn the English phrasal verb, "Straighten out" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/straighten-out -- Plain English helps you improve…
- Self driving cars are officially here · 15 min · Episodul 861Today's story: Self-driving cars have struggled for decades because driving requires human judgment in unpredictable situations. Early systems relied on strict rules, which…
- Expression: Fill out · 10 min · Episodul 860Learn the English phrasal verb, "fill out" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/fill-out -- Plain English helps you improve your…
- Updates: Louvre theft, BTS return, and premium economy boom · 12 min · Episodul 859Today's story: French authorities arrested suspects in the Louvre heist, but there was another high-profile museum robbery. The Air Canada CEO resigned over his limited French…
- Expression: Track down · 8 min · Episodul 858Learn the English expression, "track down" Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/track-down -- Plain English helps you improve your…
- Should AI be allowed in books? · 15 min · Episodul 857Today's story: Hachette, a major book publisher, pulled a horror novel from bookstore shelves after online critics found the text was full of the telltale signs of artificial…
