Plain means simple and not decorated, or easy to see and understand.
From Old French 'plain' meaning 'flat, smooth, simple', from Latin 'planus' meaning 'flat, level, clear'. The idea of flatness extended to clarity and lack of decoration.
A 'plain' explanation is like flat ground: no bumps, no tricks, just easy to walk across. That’s why 'plain language' campaigns fight against jargon—they’re trying to flatten the path for everyone.
Plain has often been used in a gendered way, especially to negatively judge women's appearance or clothing as lacking adornment or attractiveness. This reflects broader social pressures on women to meet aesthetic standards.
Avoid using 'plain' to evaluate a person's attractiveness; instead, describe specific features or styles neutrally if relevant.
["unadorned","simple","minimal","understated"]
When describing historical dress codes or 'plain' styles, recognize how women’s choices were constrained by social and legal norms.
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