Historically, such settlements have clung to the higher ground on the flood plain.

ECONOMIST: Deforestation and floods

Stomping Ground photographs are taken against a plain background and capture kids doing kid stuff: jumping, laughing, pouting.

WSJ: It's Picture Day, Say 'Cheesy'

The Social Democrats are still well ahead, but for the first time in two years they are losing ground, thanks to a new liberal-conservative party that calls itself the Civic Platform, or plain Platform, which is bidding spiritedly for the middle ground.

ECONOMIST: Poland

Wearing a blue checked shirt and a plain baseball cap, he is shown being held on the ground with his hands bound, then being escorted away.

BBC: 'CIA agent intercepted' in Moscow by FSB

As Nokia has learned in spades, if you fall behind, you lose ground quickly and now even in developing countries, consumers are rejecting its plain vanilla devices.

FORBES: How Long Can Apple Remain King Of Mobile Devices?

You make it plain, though, that money does not grow even on tropical trees or in holes in the ground, whatever their contents.

ECONOMIST: A matter of give and take