"the reason why i like google is because i can just search anything i want in plain english w/o any query-language/search-filters." It's not like DDG prevents

"the reason why i like google is because i can just search anything i want in plain english w/o any query-language/search-filters." It's not like DDG prevents you from doing this! You can search DDG using the exact same "plain english" you use in Google. DDG's bang syntax is an additional feature. If you don't want it or don't like it, don't use it -- just use regular search. Personally, I don't use DDG's bang syntax myself. I like to create my own custom searches within Firefox. But I love the high quality of results DDG provides, and the lack of spam/scam results compared to Google. Not to mention DDG's commitment to privacy, which is very important to me.