Twins typically fascinate us because of their incredible similarities. But sometimes, what makes identical twins truly intriguing are their surprising differences. A recent study in Science Direct highlighted exactly this, following the astonishing reunion of identical twin sisters separated as toddlers and raised in completely different cultures.
Born in South Korea in 1974, these twin sisters spent their first two years together until tragedy struck—they were accidentally separated at a busy market. Despite the family’s desperate search, only one twin could be located. While she remained with her family in Korea, the other was adopted and raised by a couple in the United States, unaware she even had a twin, let alone other siblings.
Representative photo by luis arias | Unsplash
The twin who grew up in America only discovered her true identity decades later, in 2018, after submitting her DNA to a South Korean program designed to reunite lost family members. It was then she learned of her identical twin sister, along with additional siblings.
After their reunion, scientists eagerly examined the sisters, fascinated by the question at the heart of many twin studies: how much do environment and upbringing influence our personalities, mental health, and intelligence?
Tests quickly revealed something extraordinary: despite their identical genetics, the twins had startlingly different IQ scores. The twin raised in America scored a full 16 points lower than her sister raised in Korea—a difference far greater than typical IQ gaps of identical twins, which rarely exceed 7 points.
"The twins showed substantial differences in cognitive abilities that have been linked to strong genetic influence," one researcher observed. Researchers speculated that multiple childhood concussions sustained by the US-raised twin could have played a role in her lower IQ score.
Representative photo by Jamie Lee | Unsplash
Yet, surprisingly, despite this stark intellectual difference and drastically distinct childhood environments, the twins shared remarkably similar personality traits. "Notable is that both twins are distinctively high on conscientiousness—indicating that both are purposeful, well-organized, dutiful, and achievement-striving," the researcher wrote.
The study went deeper, noting the Korean-raised twin grew up in a nurturing, loving environment, while the American-raised twin faced considerable hardships with her adoptive family. Remarkably, both sisters displayed similar resilience, scoring closely on measures of self-esteem and mental health.
Ultimately, this compelling study reinforces how identical twins can be strikingly similar and astonishingly different simultaneously. Their story continues to intrigue researchers, illuminating the endless complexity within the ongoing debate of nature versus nurture.
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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.