In 1994, Miss Colombia gave an answer that stunned the judges, captivated the audience, and now—decades later—is inspiring a whole new generation online.
A fiery question with a touching answer
Tatiana Castro, representing the department of Cesar, faced a tricky final-round question during the Miss Colombia pageant:
"What would you save from a museum on fire: famous paintings or the guard dog?"
Her eyes lit up in surprise, and with a joyful exclamation she replied:
"Oh my god! The dog!"
— Tatiana Castro
She went on to explain her answer with thoughtful clarity: "The paintings are art, and art is to be given away like love or like peace." Then she delivered the line that would earn her cheers and a crown: "Animals, plants, and people are life, and life is to be kept."
She nailed the final question at Miss Colombia 1994—and the Internet still isn’t over it.Instagram | @missuniversetrivia
The crowd (and the judges) were sold
Her response was met with rapturous applause, the kind that doesn’t just acknowledge a good answer—it celebrates a beautiful truth. Minutes later, Tatiana was crowned Miss Colombia 1994.
The clip of that unforgettable moment recently resurfaced on Instagram thanks to @missuniversetrivia, where it's been viewed and reshared widely. The caption read:
"A Colombian classic: The winning answer that Miss Cesar, Tatiana Castro, gave to the final question. Minutes later, she was crowned Miss Colombia 1994. Brilliant and charming!"
"Life is to be kept."
— Tatiana Castro
The internet had thoughts
In the comments, users praised her grace, empathy, and the powerful simplicity of her answer.
@milansokolovski wrote: "It’s amazing how rhetoric can persuade people. A million pageant contestants could have said essentially the same thing and most people would think it childish or contrived. And yet, the way she responds and the way she elaborates was what sold us."
"The way she elaborates was what sold us."
— @milansokolovski
Others took the question as a broader commentary on society.
@elnazvsn called it "very heartwarming," but questioned the framing of the dilemma itself, suggesting it highlights the struggle many face distinguishing between life and material value.
@portsherry chimed in with a powerful reminder: "Art is 100% worth saving, but given the choice of saving art or saving life, not choosing life would be missing the point of art on a cosmic scale."
Not everyone agreed, though. @bethdavis2193 reflected honestly: "Dogs come and go and have a short lifespan and a valuable artwork can be enjoyed for centuries. But I am a dog lover, of course. I have one and I do love him."
A legacy of empathy
What made Tatiana’s response unforgettable wasn’t just the content—it was the way she delivered it. She didn’t hesitate. She smiled. She believed every word.
In a world that often elevates prestige over compassion, her answer still hits home: when in doubt, choose life. Choose empathy. Choose connection.
If this story moves you, consider adopting a rescue animal, supporting local shelters, or helping disaster response teams who work to save animals during emergencies. Just like Tatiana said—life is to be kept.
Swol is known for his good vibes, and for reacting to negative commentary. TikTok | 
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Betty leveraged her fame to move the entertainment industry in the right direction. 
Butch smiles and flashes thumbs up as he's being helped off the capsulePhoto credit: NASA.gov
NASA Astronaut: Barry E. Wilmore
21 everyday phrases that make people silently scream inside
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.