When 7-year-old Tinotenda Pudu disappeared from his rural village in northwestern Zimbabwe, no one could have predicted he would survive five days in one of Africa’s most unforgiving wilderness areas. But against all odds, he did—and his remarkable story is inspiring people across the globe.
A wrong turn into the wild
On December 27, 2024, Tinotenda unknowingly wandered into Matusadona National Park, a vast and dangerous landscape spanning nearly 570 square miles. Known for once having the highest density of lions in Africa, the park is home to leopards, elephants, buffalo, and other potentially deadly wildlife.
Representative depiction of Matusadona National ParkCanva
As days passed, the stakes grew higher. Local search teams feared the worst, especially given the park’s reputation. But while they were scouring the terrain, Tinotenda was doing everything he could to survive.
"A true miracle in remote Kasvisva community."
— @mutsamu
Surviving the unimaginable
According to reports from CNN, Tinotenda relied on wild fruits known locally as nchoomva and dug for underground water on dry riverbeds—a method used in drought-prone areas and passed down through generations. Using his hands and a stick, he created a small well, called Mukàla in Tonga (or Mufuku in Shona), to drink from.
"He survived on wild fruit and hand-dug water."
— @mutsamu
Search teams, deeply moved by the community's commitment, beat drums in hopes that sound might guide him back. Torrential rains made the task harder by washing away footprints, but the local spirit never wavered.
As noted by the New York Post, fresh tracks were finally spotted on December 30. That clue changed everything. Tinotenda had actually run toward the sound of ranger vehicles the day before—but missed them by minutes.
The rescue
On the morning of December 31, just one day before New Year’s, rescuers found Tinotenda 30 miles from home—alive, though caked in dirt and exhausted. He was rushed to a local clinic for evaluation and later transferred to a hospital. According to an update shared by Mutsa Murombedzi, he was stable but undergoing mental health assessments to ensure no long-term trauma.
"This was probably his last chance."
— Mutsa Murombedzi
Murombedzi, who shared updates on X (formerly Twitter), didn’t hold back her gratitude.
A story that resonated worldwide
Representative depiction of Matusadona National ParkCanva
The story has captured international attention, with many praising the collective efforts of park rangers, police, and community members who refused to give up hope. What began as a terrifying disappearance has become a symbol of resilience, not only for Tinotenda and his family, but for the entire region.
“This is a testament to the power of unity, hope, prayer and never giving up,” said Murombedzi, according to the New York Post.
The world is watching and celebrating a little boy whose courage and instinct helped him outlast nature’s most brutal tests. Tinotenda Pudu didn’t just survive—he showed us all what hope looks like in action.
Furry friends are importantRepresentative image via Canva
Couple has annoying conversation
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.