" ""Parmigiano Reggiano"" is a nutty, salty cheese with a 900-year history. Under European rules, only cheese made in a certain region in Italy, and only cheese made under strict rules, can call itself ""Parmigiano Reggiano."" But the cheese is easy to counterfeit. Now, Italian makers of Parmigiano Reggiano are fighting back, by implanting an edible tracking chip in the wheels of their products. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, in...
Sep 25, 2023•25 min•Ep. 610
" Pedometers and health apps all recommend we take 10,000 steps a day. Most people fall far short of that number. But is there any magic to it? How many steps do you really need to stay healthy? New studies are providing more information, and busting the 10,000-step myth. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/609 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our les...
Sep 21, 2023•23 min•Ep. 609
" Court cases often hinge on what words mean. But what happens when a dispute involves an emoji? To decide cases or rule on motions, judges often have to decide what a 👍 or a 💓 means. To make matters worse, there's no emoji dictionary and not everyone agrees on what each emoji means. 🤷 -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/608 -- Learning English should be fun! T...
Sep 18, 2023•24 min•Ep. 608
" As the oil tanker FSO Safer deteriorated off the coast of Yemen, U.N. diplomats scrambled to get access to the vessel, and to raise the money for a rescue. Finally, a U.N. team completed the two-week transfer of oil from the rusting old tanker, averting a crisis. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/607 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons ar...
Sep 14, 2023•24 min•Ep. 607
" The FSO Safer is an oil storage vessel, meant to store oil waiting to be shipped to the market. But when rebels took over the coast of Yemen, they held the ship hostage. That was in 2015. In the years since, nobody performed required maintenance and the ship has deteriorated, risking a spill or an explosion. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/606 -- Learning En...
Sep 11, 2023•25 min•Ep. 607
" Zoom, the teleconferencing company, promised a fully remote future. Employers (and especially employees) embraced the flexible, work-from-anywhere mindset. But a growing body of research suggests that remote work isn't as productive as office work. And employers (including Zoom) are starting to take notice. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/605 -- Learning Eng...
Sep 07, 2023•23 min•Ep. 605
" ""Fish and chips"" is the classic British comfort food: sold in to-go stands and fine dining restaurants alike, it's a combination of fried white fish and French fries (sprinkled with salt and lemon). It also works well in Jewish and Catholic diets. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/604 -- Learning English should be fun! That’s why our lessons are about curren...
Sep 04, 2023•19 min•Ep. 604
A "State Fair" is a huge statewide party featuring music, parties, food, games, rides, and more. What started as a way for farmers to show off their livestock and browse the latest farm technology has evolved into a statewide celebration of rural life. At the Iowa State Fair, a cow sculpture is made of butter. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/603 -- Learning En...
Aug 31, 2023•21 min•Ep. 603
" Minor league baseball is a staple of small-town American summers. They're the leagues just below the majors, where developing players try to prove themselves and make the major-league rosters. While there, they earn low wages, ride long bus rides, and play in front of small crowds. But the local residents get to sit up close and enjoy cheap family entertainment. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can b...
Aug 28, 2023•22 min•Ep. 602
" We take a look at the flags of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Union Jack (Britain's flag) has heavy influence on the flags of Australia and New Zealand, and lends its colors to America's flag. But just wait until you hear the one we think is best. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/601 -- Learning English...
Aug 24, 2023•17 min•Ep. 601
" ""Barbie"" has grossed over $1 billion at the box office--not a bad debut for Mattel, a toymaker that had never made a feature film before. Now, Mattel has plans to release movies based on American Girl, Barney, Hot Wheels, and other well-known characters and brands (including Uno, the card game). -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/600 -- Learning English shoul...
Aug 21, 2023•20 min•Ep. 600
" A thief drilled a hole into the roof of a California wine store and robbed hundreds of bottles of rare wines and liquors, in one of the biggest wine robberies in state history. The perpetrator, who was caught on camera but not identified, spent four hours in the shop before fleeing after an alarm went off. Plus, learn the English expression ""make off with."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be f...
Aug 17, 2023•24 min•Ep. 599
" Tony Bennett's career peaked before the age of rock-and-roll. When new stars burst onto the scene, it seemed like his style of music belonged to the past. But he reinvented his career and brought his authentic style to new generations. He became an ambassador of the older songs he grew up singing and formed a late-in-life artistic partnership with Lady Gaga. Plus, learn the English idiom ""fall apart."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English ...
Aug 14, 2023•25 min•Ep. 598
" Antonio Dominick Benedetto--later 'Tony Bennett'--had one of the great American entertainment careers. Born in Queens, New York, he rose to fame by singing early American jazz and musical songs. His most famous song was ""I Left My Heart in San Francisco."" But the peak of his popularity came just as rock-and-roll music arrived in America. Plus, learn the phrasal verb ""give way."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a fr...
Aug 10, 2023•24 min•Ep. 597
" For many in Asia, North America, and Europe, the theme of summer 2023 is heat. That's because the jet stream is caught in an unusual pattern that traps heat over certain places for extended periods. It's called a ""heat dome"" and it forms when the jet stream forms into a wave. Plus, learn the English expression ""cool off."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/...
Aug 07, 2023•21 min•Ep. 596
" Cruise operator Royal Caribbean is making final preparations to launch the ""Icon of the Seas,"" the first in a new class of cruise ships. The ships are bigger and offer lavish amenities. They also run on fuel cells, which are cleaner than burning fuel oil. Plus, learn the English expression ""set sail."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/595 -- Learning Engli...
Aug 03, 2023•22 min•Ep. 595
" Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, launched a new app designed to compete with Twitter. Threads, as the new app is called, attracted over 150 million users in its first few weeks, helped by its close ties with Instagram. But why is Meta trying to break into a part of social media that has never achieved strong profitability? Plus, learn the English expression ""get off to a good start."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English...
Jul 31, 2023•25 min•Ep. 594
" ""Wheel of Fortune"" is a game show staple in the kitchens of American homes. Three contestants compete to solve word puzzle games, as millions of Americans play along at home. For the last 40 years, Pat Sajak has been the upbeat host of the show, but he'll retire next year. Plus, learn the English expression ""slip up."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/593 ...
Jul 27, 2023•21 min•Ep. 593
" The most popular streaming platforms serve up professional content. But another type of platform focuses on user-generated content. Twitch is famous for letting users watch others play video games and interact with the players. For a long time, Twitch was the dominant player. But now a rival is using its deep pockets and an anything-goes strategy to grab its share of the market. Plus, learn the English phrase ""roll back."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- ...
Jul 24, 2023•25 min•Ep. 592
" Age is just a number, but in South Korea, it has been two (or even three) numbers. The country has long maintained a traditional way of calculating a citizen's age, where babies are born age 1 and the whole country adds a year on January 1 instead of on their birthdays. But the country recently adopted the international standard, so everyone got a little younger overnight. Plus, learn the English expression ""imagine that."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. --...
Jul 20, 2023•24 min•Ep. 591
" A private army working for the government of Russia turned on the country's official military last month, taking control of a major city and marching toward Moscow. The revolt briefly appeared to be the beginning of a much more serious conflict. But the leader of the revolt halted his advance after just one day. Plus, learn the English expression ""overplay your hand."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcrip...
Jul 17, 2023•29 min•Ep. 590
" Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate, was a tireless advocate of the Titan and its carbon-fiber design. He insisted the design was ""way safer"" than SCUBA diving and angrily dismissed warnings from experts and former employees about the Titan's design. Now, governments are taking a closer look at this unregulated industry. Plus, learn the English expression ""buyer beware."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free ...
Jul 13, 2023•30 min•Ep. 589
" Five people died after their submersible 'Titan' imploded deep in the Atlantic Ocean, hours after they left on an exploratory mission to the site of the Titanic shipwreck. On today's lesson, learn about what sponsor OceanGate did and how the Titan's mission was supposed to go. Plus, learn the English expression ""off the coast."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish....
Jul 10, 2023•26 min•Ep. 588
" Comic Sans is a typeface that was designed to be used in cartoon quote bubbles and in other childlike, informal situations. But since the font was included in an early version of Windows, it has been used in situations that are far from what its designer intended--often in tragic or hilarious ways. Plus, learn what it means to ""play a role in"" something. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be foun...
Jul 06, 2023•22 min•Ep. 587
" ""The Morning Show"" on Apple TV+ is about morning network news, a light-hearted way to start your day. But the show is anything but fluffy: it's a serious drama with a star-studded cast. The show deals with cutthroat media competition, sexual misconduct, the onset of COVID-19 and more. Plus, learn the English expression ""star in."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainengl...
Jul 03, 2023•20 min•Ep. 586
" Global fish consumption is rising, but natural fisheries have reached their capacity. Fish farming is typically done in oceans and rivers, near where fish normally grow. However, new methods allow farmers to raise salmon and other high-value fish in tanks in warehouses--often far from oceans or rivers. It's also more environmentally-friendly. Plus, learn the English expression ""put to use. "" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, in...
Jun 29, 2023•23 min•Ep. 585
The Colombian military announced the dramatic rescue of four children who survived alone in the Amazon jungle after their plane crashed on May 1. All adults onboard died in the crash. When rescue teams arrived, there was no sign of the children, leading to a dramatic manhunt to find the surviving kids. They were found alive on June 8, 40 days after the crash. -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be fou...
Jun 26, 2023•23 min•Ep. 584
" Cold plunges are the new health trend championed by high-fliers and ordinary people alike. By submerging yourself water that's 15 degrees Celsius (or colder!), you can manage stress, reduce muscle soreness, improve your concentration, and more, advocates say. Plus, learn the English expression ""if all else fails."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/583 -- Lea...
Jun 22, 2023•23 min•Ep. 583
Elizabeth Holmes was a young self-made billionaire entrepreneur until her company was revealed to be a fraud. Now, she's about to serve 11 years in a minimum-security prison. Here's what the facilities are like and how she'll spend her days. Plus, learn the English expression ""serve time." -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, can be found at: https://plainenglish.com/582 -- Learning English should be fun!...
Jun 19, 2023•24 min•Ep. 582
" Thousands of Kia and Hyundai cars are stolen every month in the United States. And while that's distressing and expensive for car owners, many more people are affected. Law enforcement, insurance companies, and repair shops are all scrambling to respond to the increase in crime inspired by TikTok and YouTube videos. Plus, learn the English expression ""spend time."" -- At Plain English, we make English lessons for the modern world. -- Today’s full English lesson, including a free transcript, c...
Jun 15, 2023•25 min•Ep. 581
