What Is Unshielded Twisted Pair? Please Explain It To Me In Very Simple Words.

In unshielded twisted pair (or UTP) two wires are twisted together to help reduce electrical interference and crosstalk. If the cable were run in parallel current through one of the wires would induce electrical noise, like static, in the other wire. By twisting the wires noise is cancelled. This is the wiring used by most telephone systems and also in most Ethernet networks.

Rope is often made with three strands of fiber - like threads - that are twisted and brought together so they hug each other tight and never let go.  This easily can be done by hand or machine.

A twisted pair would be two insulated wires laid together like rope.  The insulation is the plastic that keeps the electricity inside the wire.  The twisting together makes this cable as easy to handle as rope.

The twisting of the wires also helps signals or messages from jumping over to other wires in a way like radio broadcasts.  This jumping or sharing is sometimes called "crosstalk".

Metal foil wrapped around the twisted pair of wires would "shield" them more from this crosstalk, static or electronic noise.

But an "unshielded" "twisted pair" is sometimes good enough and is easy to work with.