What does “were identical to the last freckle” mean in this context?











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Aunt Petunia shrieked and fell backward over the coffee table; Uncle Vernon caught her before she hit the floor, and gaped, speechless, at the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




As I understand, "A is identical to B" means A and B are the same. But in this context, the phrase seems to be used in a different way. It sounds like it conveys both Fred and George were exactly identical (from the first) to the last freckle. Is my understanding correct?










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  • 1




    Consider a couple of words which are commonly included with this idiom: "They were identical. Right down to the last freckle."
    – Beanluc
    Dec 4 at 20:43















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Aunt Petunia shrieked and fell backward over the coffee table; Uncle Vernon caught her before she hit the floor, and gaped, speechless, at the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




As I understand, "A is identical to B" means A and B are the same. But in this context, the phrase seems to be used in a different way. It sounds like it conveys both Fred and George were exactly identical (from the first) to the last freckle. Is my understanding correct?










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    Consider a couple of words which are commonly included with this idiom: "They were identical. Right down to the last freckle."
    – Beanluc
    Dec 4 at 20:43













up vote
7
down vote

favorite









up vote
7
down vote

favorite












Aunt Petunia shrieked and fell backward over the coffee table; Uncle Vernon caught her before she hit the floor, and gaped, speechless, at the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




As I understand, "A is identical to B" means A and B are the same. But in this context, the phrase seems to be used in a different way. It sounds like it conveys both Fred and George were exactly identical (from the first) to the last freckle. Is my understanding correct?










share|improve this question














Aunt Petunia shrieked and fell backward over the coffee table; Uncle Vernon caught her before she hit the floor, and gaped, speechless, at the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




As I understand, "A is identical to B" means A and B are the same. But in this context, the phrase seems to be used in a different way. It sounds like it conveys both Fred and George were exactly identical (from the first) to the last freckle. Is my understanding correct?







phrase-meaning






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asked Dec 4 at 10:30









dan

4,29722565




4,29722565








  • 1




    Consider a couple of words which are commonly included with this idiom: "They were identical. Right down to the last freckle."
    – Beanluc
    Dec 4 at 20:43














  • 1




    Consider a couple of words which are commonly included with this idiom: "They were identical. Right down to the last freckle."
    – Beanluc
    Dec 4 at 20:43








1




1




Consider a couple of words which are commonly included with this idiom: "They were identical. Right down to the last freckle."
– Beanluc
Dec 4 at 20:43




Consider a couple of words which are commonly included with this idiom: "They were identical. Right down to the last freckle."
– Beanluc
Dec 4 at 20:43










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
10
down vote



accepted










Yup, it means every single one of their freckles is the same, along with everything else.



"to the last _____" is often used with something small or insignificant, to convey the idea that even if you checked rigorously every single detail, up to the smallest one, the affirmation would still hold.



Eg. :




He cleaned the house to the last speck of dust







share|improve this answer























  • There is another layer to the idiom: the Weasleys, being gingers, are very freckled. So the saying takes something that is very obvious about them and uses it as a comparison. For example saying "identical to the last leg" describes most humans on earth.
    – Borgh
    Dec 5 at 12:25


















up vote
5
down vote













I think that your understanding is absolutely perfect. If you were to compare all the freckles on their faces, all of them would turn out to be indistinguishable from one another. The idea is that freckles in two seemingly identical people (like twins, for example) are actually the last thing you would expect to be exactly the same when everything else seems to be exactly alike. I'm sure you understand that all this is just metaphorical language.



As I've already mentioned the idea comes from a situation where two people that seem to look identical are in fact not identical under close examination because we all know that there certainly will be some features on their faces (such as freckles) that can be used to tell the two apart. But when we say that two people are identical to the last freckle, the metaphor is that if you were to compare all the freckles, blemishes, wrinkles and other similar features on their faces, you would not be able to tell who is who because absolutely everything in them seems to be exactly the same.






share|improve this answer



















  • 4




    Another example of identical not being perfect--we have no problem with the idea that two people might drive "identical" cars...meaning the same model, year, color, etc., but we would know there would be slight differences, for example the VIN would certainly be different. If you described making a copy of a car that was "identical down to the VIN", that would mean not even the slightest deviation.
    – user3067860
    Dec 4 at 17:01


















up vote
3
down vote













The prepositional phrase to the {superlative}... expresses the idea of to the nth degree.




Don't wait to the last minute to sign up.



She swore that she would answer to the best of her knowledge.




And in contexts were an implicit comparison is being made, the prepositional phrase to + noun-phrase also expresses degree:




He cooked the turkey to perfection.



She imitated her teacher to a "t".



The teams were equally matched, to a man.







share|improve this answer























  • I don't quite get "She imitated her teacher to a T." Is the letter "T" referring to the first letter of the word "teacher"?
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:04










  • It's similar to "tittle", "jot", "iota". The letter of the alphabet being used to represent attention to even the smallest detail.
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    Dec 4 at 11:09












  • Why doesn't it put other letters: A, B, ...? Is there any specialty about T?
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:13










  • t has a cross-stroke. i and j have little dots. Small details.
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    Dec 4 at 11:15












  • Hmmm.... That sounds miserable.
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:17


















up vote
2
down vote













Yes, your understanding is correct.




the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




To be absolutely clear, in the Harry Potter books and movies, all the members of the Weasley family bear a strong resemblance due to their striking red hair, but Fred and George are identical twins:



enter image description here



(The four youngest Weasleys siblings as depicted in the movies. Fred and George are on the ends, with Ron and Ginny in the middle.)



In addition, prominent freckles are frequently associated with red hair, which is why the author probably mentioned it.






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    2
    down vote













    The other answers are good, but ignore one thing; this is a magical family. In humans, "identical" twins aren't actually identical when you look closely. (One's hair parts to the left, the other's to the right, one is slightly taller, ...) "To the last freckle" is meant to emphasize that they were exactly identical, in a way that you don't find in Muggles.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 3




      I just assumed it was a bit of literary hyperbole. But this is an interesting take, and, in this context, perhaps it was indeed meant to be literal.
      – J.R.
      Dec 5 at 0:20













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    5 Answers
    5






    active

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    5 Answers
    5






    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    10
    down vote



    accepted










    Yup, it means every single one of their freckles is the same, along with everything else.



    "to the last _____" is often used with something small or insignificant, to convey the idea that even if you checked rigorously every single detail, up to the smallest one, the affirmation would still hold.



    Eg. :




    He cleaned the house to the last speck of dust







    share|improve this answer























    • There is another layer to the idiom: the Weasleys, being gingers, are very freckled. So the saying takes something that is very obvious about them and uses it as a comparison. For example saying "identical to the last leg" describes most humans on earth.
      – Borgh
      Dec 5 at 12:25















    up vote
    10
    down vote



    accepted










    Yup, it means every single one of their freckles is the same, along with everything else.



    "to the last _____" is often used with something small or insignificant, to convey the idea that even if you checked rigorously every single detail, up to the smallest one, the affirmation would still hold.



    Eg. :




    He cleaned the house to the last speck of dust







    share|improve this answer























    • There is another layer to the idiom: the Weasleys, being gingers, are very freckled. So the saying takes something that is very obvious about them and uses it as a comparison. For example saying "identical to the last leg" describes most humans on earth.
      – Borgh
      Dec 5 at 12:25













    up vote
    10
    down vote



    accepted







    up vote
    10
    down vote



    accepted






    Yup, it means every single one of their freckles is the same, along with everything else.



    "to the last _____" is often used with something small or insignificant, to convey the idea that even if you checked rigorously every single detail, up to the smallest one, the affirmation would still hold.



    Eg. :




    He cleaned the house to the last speck of dust







    share|improve this answer














    Yup, it means every single one of their freckles is the same, along with everything else.



    "to the last _____" is often used with something small or insignificant, to convey the idea that even if you checked rigorously every single detail, up to the smallest one, the affirmation would still hold.



    Eg. :




    He cleaned the house to the last speck of dust








    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Dec 5 at 0:17









    J.R.

    97.5k8126243




    97.5k8126243










    answered Dec 4 at 13:57









    Teleporting Goat

    7351821




    7351821












    • There is another layer to the idiom: the Weasleys, being gingers, are very freckled. So the saying takes something that is very obvious about them and uses it as a comparison. For example saying "identical to the last leg" describes most humans on earth.
      – Borgh
      Dec 5 at 12:25


















    • There is another layer to the idiom: the Weasleys, being gingers, are very freckled. So the saying takes something that is very obvious about them and uses it as a comparison. For example saying "identical to the last leg" describes most humans on earth.
      – Borgh
      Dec 5 at 12:25
















    There is another layer to the idiom: the Weasleys, being gingers, are very freckled. So the saying takes something that is very obvious about them and uses it as a comparison. For example saying "identical to the last leg" describes most humans on earth.
    – Borgh
    Dec 5 at 12:25




    There is another layer to the idiom: the Weasleys, being gingers, are very freckled. So the saying takes something that is very obvious about them and uses it as a comparison. For example saying "identical to the last leg" describes most humans on earth.
    – Borgh
    Dec 5 at 12:25












    up vote
    5
    down vote













    I think that your understanding is absolutely perfect. If you were to compare all the freckles on their faces, all of them would turn out to be indistinguishable from one another. The idea is that freckles in two seemingly identical people (like twins, for example) are actually the last thing you would expect to be exactly the same when everything else seems to be exactly alike. I'm sure you understand that all this is just metaphorical language.



    As I've already mentioned the idea comes from a situation where two people that seem to look identical are in fact not identical under close examination because we all know that there certainly will be some features on their faces (such as freckles) that can be used to tell the two apart. But when we say that two people are identical to the last freckle, the metaphor is that if you were to compare all the freckles, blemishes, wrinkles and other similar features on their faces, you would not be able to tell who is who because absolutely everything in them seems to be exactly the same.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 4




      Another example of identical not being perfect--we have no problem with the idea that two people might drive "identical" cars...meaning the same model, year, color, etc., but we would know there would be slight differences, for example the VIN would certainly be different. If you described making a copy of a car that was "identical down to the VIN", that would mean not even the slightest deviation.
      – user3067860
      Dec 4 at 17:01















    up vote
    5
    down vote













    I think that your understanding is absolutely perfect. If you were to compare all the freckles on their faces, all of them would turn out to be indistinguishable from one another. The idea is that freckles in two seemingly identical people (like twins, for example) are actually the last thing you would expect to be exactly the same when everything else seems to be exactly alike. I'm sure you understand that all this is just metaphorical language.



    As I've already mentioned the idea comes from a situation where two people that seem to look identical are in fact not identical under close examination because we all know that there certainly will be some features on their faces (such as freckles) that can be used to tell the two apart. But when we say that two people are identical to the last freckle, the metaphor is that if you were to compare all the freckles, blemishes, wrinkles and other similar features on their faces, you would not be able to tell who is who because absolutely everything in them seems to be exactly the same.






    share|improve this answer



















    • 4




      Another example of identical not being perfect--we have no problem with the idea that two people might drive "identical" cars...meaning the same model, year, color, etc., but we would know there would be slight differences, for example the VIN would certainly be different. If you described making a copy of a car that was "identical down to the VIN", that would mean not even the slightest deviation.
      – user3067860
      Dec 4 at 17:01













    up vote
    5
    down vote










    up vote
    5
    down vote









    I think that your understanding is absolutely perfect. If you were to compare all the freckles on their faces, all of them would turn out to be indistinguishable from one another. The idea is that freckles in two seemingly identical people (like twins, for example) are actually the last thing you would expect to be exactly the same when everything else seems to be exactly alike. I'm sure you understand that all this is just metaphorical language.



    As I've already mentioned the idea comes from a situation where two people that seem to look identical are in fact not identical under close examination because we all know that there certainly will be some features on their faces (such as freckles) that can be used to tell the two apart. But when we say that two people are identical to the last freckle, the metaphor is that if you were to compare all the freckles, blemishes, wrinkles and other similar features on their faces, you would not be able to tell who is who because absolutely everything in them seems to be exactly the same.






    share|improve this answer














    I think that your understanding is absolutely perfect. If you were to compare all the freckles on their faces, all of them would turn out to be indistinguishable from one another. The idea is that freckles in two seemingly identical people (like twins, for example) are actually the last thing you would expect to be exactly the same when everything else seems to be exactly alike. I'm sure you understand that all this is just metaphorical language.



    As I've already mentioned the idea comes from a situation where two people that seem to look identical are in fact not identical under close examination because we all know that there certainly will be some features on their faces (such as freckles) that can be used to tell the two apart. But when we say that two people are identical to the last freckle, the metaphor is that if you were to compare all the freckles, blemishes, wrinkles and other similar features on their faces, you would not be able to tell who is who because absolutely everything in them seems to be exactly the same.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Dec 4 at 15:48

























    answered Dec 4 at 11:17









    Michael Rybkin

    26k10103225




    26k10103225








    • 4




      Another example of identical not being perfect--we have no problem with the idea that two people might drive "identical" cars...meaning the same model, year, color, etc., but we would know there would be slight differences, for example the VIN would certainly be different. If you described making a copy of a car that was "identical down to the VIN", that would mean not even the slightest deviation.
      – user3067860
      Dec 4 at 17:01














    • 4




      Another example of identical not being perfect--we have no problem with the idea that two people might drive "identical" cars...meaning the same model, year, color, etc., but we would know there would be slight differences, for example the VIN would certainly be different. If you described making a copy of a car that was "identical down to the VIN", that would mean not even the slightest deviation.
      – user3067860
      Dec 4 at 17:01








    4




    4




    Another example of identical not being perfect--we have no problem with the idea that two people might drive "identical" cars...meaning the same model, year, color, etc., but we would know there would be slight differences, for example the VIN would certainly be different. If you described making a copy of a car that was "identical down to the VIN", that would mean not even the slightest deviation.
    – user3067860
    Dec 4 at 17:01




    Another example of identical not being perfect--we have no problem with the idea that two people might drive "identical" cars...meaning the same model, year, color, etc., but we would know there would be slight differences, for example the VIN would certainly be different. If you described making a copy of a car that was "identical down to the VIN", that would mean not even the slightest deviation.
    – user3067860
    Dec 4 at 17:01










    up vote
    3
    down vote













    The prepositional phrase to the {superlative}... expresses the idea of to the nth degree.




    Don't wait to the last minute to sign up.



    She swore that she would answer to the best of her knowledge.




    And in contexts were an implicit comparison is being made, the prepositional phrase to + noun-phrase also expresses degree:




    He cooked the turkey to perfection.



    She imitated her teacher to a "t".



    The teams were equally matched, to a man.







    share|improve this answer























    • I don't quite get "She imitated her teacher to a T." Is the letter "T" referring to the first letter of the word "teacher"?
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:04










    • It's similar to "tittle", "jot", "iota". The letter of the alphabet being used to represent attention to even the smallest detail.
      – Tᴚoɯɐuo
      Dec 4 at 11:09












    • Why doesn't it put other letters: A, B, ...? Is there any specialty about T?
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:13










    • t has a cross-stroke. i and j have little dots. Small details.
      – Tᴚoɯɐuo
      Dec 4 at 11:15












    • Hmmm.... That sounds miserable.
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:17















    up vote
    3
    down vote













    The prepositional phrase to the {superlative}... expresses the idea of to the nth degree.




    Don't wait to the last minute to sign up.



    She swore that she would answer to the best of her knowledge.




    And in contexts were an implicit comparison is being made, the prepositional phrase to + noun-phrase also expresses degree:




    He cooked the turkey to perfection.



    She imitated her teacher to a "t".



    The teams were equally matched, to a man.







    share|improve this answer























    • I don't quite get "She imitated her teacher to a T." Is the letter "T" referring to the first letter of the word "teacher"?
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:04










    • It's similar to "tittle", "jot", "iota". The letter of the alphabet being used to represent attention to even the smallest detail.
      – Tᴚoɯɐuo
      Dec 4 at 11:09












    • Why doesn't it put other letters: A, B, ...? Is there any specialty about T?
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:13










    • t has a cross-stroke. i and j have little dots. Small details.
      – Tᴚoɯɐuo
      Dec 4 at 11:15












    • Hmmm.... That sounds miserable.
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:17













    up vote
    3
    down vote










    up vote
    3
    down vote









    The prepositional phrase to the {superlative}... expresses the idea of to the nth degree.




    Don't wait to the last minute to sign up.



    She swore that she would answer to the best of her knowledge.




    And in contexts were an implicit comparison is being made, the prepositional phrase to + noun-phrase also expresses degree:




    He cooked the turkey to perfection.



    She imitated her teacher to a "t".



    The teams were equally matched, to a man.







    share|improve this answer














    The prepositional phrase to the {superlative}... expresses the idea of to the nth degree.




    Don't wait to the last minute to sign up.



    She swore that she would answer to the best of her knowledge.




    And in contexts were an implicit comparison is being made, the prepositional phrase to + noun-phrase also expresses degree:




    He cooked the turkey to perfection.



    She imitated her teacher to a "t".



    The teams were equally matched, to a man.








    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Dec 4 at 11:17

























    answered Dec 4 at 10:45









    Tᴚoɯɐuo

    106k679172




    106k679172












    • I don't quite get "She imitated her teacher to a T." Is the letter "T" referring to the first letter of the word "teacher"?
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:04










    • It's similar to "tittle", "jot", "iota". The letter of the alphabet being used to represent attention to even the smallest detail.
      – Tᴚoɯɐuo
      Dec 4 at 11:09












    • Why doesn't it put other letters: A, B, ...? Is there any specialty about T?
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:13










    • t has a cross-stroke. i and j have little dots. Small details.
      – Tᴚoɯɐuo
      Dec 4 at 11:15












    • Hmmm.... That sounds miserable.
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:17


















    • I don't quite get "She imitated her teacher to a T." Is the letter "T" referring to the first letter of the word "teacher"?
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:04










    • It's similar to "tittle", "jot", "iota". The letter of the alphabet being used to represent attention to even the smallest detail.
      – Tᴚoɯɐuo
      Dec 4 at 11:09












    • Why doesn't it put other letters: A, B, ...? Is there any specialty about T?
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:13










    • t has a cross-stroke. i and j have little dots. Small details.
      – Tᴚoɯɐuo
      Dec 4 at 11:15












    • Hmmm.... That sounds miserable.
      – dan
      Dec 4 at 11:17
















    I don't quite get "She imitated her teacher to a T." Is the letter "T" referring to the first letter of the word "teacher"?
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:04




    I don't quite get "She imitated her teacher to a T." Is the letter "T" referring to the first letter of the word "teacher"?
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:04












    It's similar to "tittle", "jot", "iota". The letter of the alphabet being used to represent attention to even the smallest detail.
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    Dec 4 at 11:09






    It's similar to "tittle", "jot", "iota". The letter of the alphabet being used to represent attention to even the smallest detail.
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    Dec 4 at 11:09














    Why doesn't it put other letters: A, B, ...? Is there any specialty about T?
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:13




    Why doesn't it put other letters: A, B, ...? Is there any specialty about T?
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:13












    t has a cross-stroke. i and j have little dots. Small details.
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    Dec 4 at 11:15






    t has a cross-stroke. i and j have little dots. Small details.
    – Tᴚoɯɐuo
    Dec 4 at 11:15














    Hmmm.... That sounds miserable.
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:17




    Hmmm.... That sounds miserable.
    – dan
    Dec 4 at 11:17










    up vote
    2
    down vote













    Yes, your understanding is correct.




    the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




    To be absolutely clear, in the Harry Potter books and movies, all the members of the Weasley family bear a strong resemblance due to their striking red hair, but Fred and George are identical twins:



    enter image description here



    (The four youngest Weasleys siblings as depicted in the movies. Fred and George are on the ends, with Ron and Ginny in the middle.)



    In addition, prominent freckles are frequently associated with red hair, which is why the author probably mentioned it.






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      2
      down vote













      Yes, your understanding is correct.




      the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




      To be absolutely clear, in the Harry Potter books and movies, all the members of the Weasley family bear a strong resemblance due to their striking red hair, but Fred and George are identical twins:



      enter image description here



      (The four youngest Weasleys siblings as depicted in the movies. Fred and George are on the ends, with Ron and Ginny in the middle.)



      In addition, prominent freckles are frequently associated with red hair, which is why the author probably mentioned it.






      share|improve this answer

























        up vote
        2
        down vote










        up vote
        2
        down vote









        Yes, your understanding is correct.




        the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




        To be absolutely clear, in the Harry Potter books and movies, all the members of the Weasley family bear a strong resemblance due to their striking red hair, but Fred and George are identical twins:



        enter image description here



        (The four youngest Weasleys siblings as depicted in the movies. Fred and George are on the ends, with Ron and Ginny in the middle.)



        In addition, prominent freckles are frequently associated with red hair, which is why the author probably mentioned it.






        share|improve this answer














        Yes, your understanding is correct.




        the Weasleys, all of whom had bright red hair, including Fred and George, who were identical to the last freckle.




        To be absolutely clear, in the Harry Potter books and movies, all the members of the Weasley family bear a strong resemblance due to their striking red hair, but Fred and George are identical twins:



        enter image description here



        (The four youngest Weasleys siblings as depicted in the movies. Fred and George are on the ends, with Ron and Ginny in the middle.)



        In addition, prominent freckles are frequently associated with red hair, which is why the author probably mentioned it.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Dec 4 at 18:26

























        answered Dec 4 at 18:20









        BradC

        1,529212




        1,529212






















            up vote
            2
            down vote













            The other answers are good, but ignore one thing; this is a magical family. In humans, "identical" twins aren't actually identical when you look closely. (One's hair parts to the left, the other's to the right, one is slightly taller, ...) "To the last freckle" is meant to emphasize that they were exactly identical, in a way that you don't find in Muggles.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 3




              I just assumed it was a bit of literary hyperbole. But this is an interesting take, and, in this context, perhaps it was indeed meant to be literal.
              – J.R.
              Dec 5 at 0:20

















            up vote
            2
            down vote













            The other answers are good, but ignore one thing; this is a magical family. In humans, "identical" twins aren't actually identical when you look closely. (One's hair parts to the left, the other's to the right, one is slightly taller, ...) "To the last freckle" is meant to emphasize that they were exactly identical, in a way that you don't find in Muggles.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 3




              I just assumed it was a bit of literary hyperbole. But this is an interesting take, and, in this context, perhaps it was indeed meant to be literal.
              – J.R.
              Dec 5 at 0:20















            up vote
            2
            down vote










            up vote
            2
            down vote









            The other answers are good, but ignore one thing; this is a magical family. In humans, "identical" twins aren't actually identical when you look closely. (One's hair parts to the left, the other's to the right, one is slightly taller, ...) "To the last freckle" is meant to emphasize that they were exactly identical, in a way that you don't find in Muggles.






            share|improve this answer














            The other answers are good, but ignore one thing; this is a magical family. In humans, "identical" twins aren't actually identical when you look closely. (One's hair parts to the left, the other's to the right, one is slightly taller, ...) "To the last freckle" is meant to emphasize that they were exactly identical, in a way that you don't find in Muggles.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Dec 4 at 19:15

























            answered Dec 4 at 18:58









            G. Ann - SonarSource Team

            3,267618




            3,267618








            • 3




              I just assumed it was a bit of literary hyperbole. But this is an interesting take, and, in this context, perhaps it was indeed meant to be literal.
              – J.R.
              Dec 5 at 0:20
















            • 3




              I just assumed it was a bit of literary hyperbole. But this is an interesting take, and, in this context, perhaps it was indeed meant to be literal.
              – J.R.
              Dec 5 at 0:20










            3




            3




            I just assumed it was a bit of literary hyperbole. But this is an interesting take, and, in this context, perhaps it was indeed meant to be literal.
            – J.R.
            Dec 5 at 0:20






            I just assumed it was a bit of literary hyperbole. But this is an interesting take, and, in this context, perhaps it was indeed meant to be literal.
            – J.R.
            Dec 5 at 0:20




















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