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What makes you cringe? Is it witnessing someone try to flirt in the most awkward way? Or maybe looking at photos of yourself from middle school does it? Contrary to what your parents told you, that combination of bangs and braces did not look amazing! We’re all capable of engaging in some cringey behavior, whether it’s forgetting to mute yourself in a Zoom meeting with all of your colleagues or participating in TikTok trends that should probably be left to teenagers. But there’s something about the internet that seems to make individuals even more prone to engaging in full-on cringe.

And no one knows that better than the followers of Cringetopia on Twitter. Below, we’ve gathered some of the most painful tweets from this account dedicated to documenting “the worst of the worst on the internet”, so you’ve been warned: you might be cringing incredibly hard by the end.

Keep reading to also find an interview with an expert on the topic: host of the Watch Cringe podcast, Brendan, and try to enjoy this list (despite the fact that it might end up causing you physical pain). Be sure to upvote all of the pics that you couldn’t help but get a kick out of, and then, if you can somehow handle even more second-hand embarrassment, you can find another Bored Panda article featuring similar content right here!

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DEW
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you're a child trying to be tough and make people think your tough when you really fell off your skateboard and scraped your knuckles! Come on kid.

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The Cringetopia Twitter account has only been around since January 2021, but it has already amassed an impressive 105k followers. Despite the pain that it must cause those individuals, apparently, they can’t get enough of this embarrassing content. So we decided to do some investigating into what exactly “cringe” is and why the internet so obsessed with it. According to Wiktionary, the word “cringe” is derived from a combination of the Middle English word ‘crengen’, which means “to bend in a haughty manner” or to condescend, the Proto-Germanic word ‘krangijaną’, which means “to cause to fall” or “to cause to turn”, and several other Danish, Dutch, Scottish and West Frisian words essentially all meaning to turn away. 

The way that we use cringe today, however, is an almost inexplicable experience or feeling, according to Saumya Kalia, a writer at The Swaddle. She describes cringing as “a curled upper lip, a wrinkle on the nose, a weighted sneer, a shake of the head from side to side. To the assault on grammar, excessive displays of human emotions, fashion that was meant to die, any and every behavior that forgets social norms.” She explains that we’re all prone to experiencing and feeling cringe, so perhaps, it’s best to just embrace it.    

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A Wild Bean
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of insensitive nosy pig would post this about a complete stranger??

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“The history of cringe is rooted in social submission,” Kalia writes for The Swaddle. “What reached its peak through the internet culture first originated in the Old English; cringan was the word to describe ‘to fall, to yield in battle, to give way, to become bent, to curl up.’ Cringan became cringe sometime in the 16th century when it introduced the feelings of fear and embarrassment to ‘bending’ or ‘crouching.’ Finally, by the 19th century, the meaning had cemented itself; cringe meant to ‘recoil in embarrassment, shame, or fear’.”

And over the past couple decades, cringe content has become increasingly popular, with hit shows like The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Nathan For You gaining massive popularity. We watch these programs and laugh, partially from discomfort and partially because the situations the characters put themselves in are just too hilarious. But as Kalia explains in her article discussing the cultural history of cringe, “Watching train wrecks in fictionalized worlds spilled into a desire to mock those in real life.” Today, there are countless accounts like Cringetopia on Instagram, Reddit and TikTok calling out the lack of self-awareness so many people seem to exhibit in real life and online. There is certainly no shortage of cringe content to be found. 

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To learn even more about the painful and elusive topic of cringe, we reached out to Brendan, host of the podcast Watch Cringe, and he was kind enough to have a chat with us. First, we wanted to know what inspired Brendan, and his co-host Jay, to start a show dedicated to this topic. “We started the podcast because it’s highly entertaining and has a few lessons to teach the audience,” he told Bored Panda. “We want to normalize the cringe, so people can realize to not take life too seriously, but also to learn how to be better.”

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Javel!
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1 year ago

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Angeline Shalyn
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my ! I was wondering why this was a "bad" one, I didn't realize the bottom was before and the top is now, I thought it was the opposite way around

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Cringe can be a subjective topic, so we were curious how Brendan likes to define it. “Cringe equals ‘shared embarrassment’. When someone does something ‘cringe’, it usually highlights that person's inability to be socially appropriate,” he explained. “Meaning it’s usually when someone [messes] up or is just really uncool. For example, uncool dad jokes make you cringe because you feel embarrassed for the dad and everyone in the room. Or let’s say a dude is showing off a Venus fist (feminist) tattoo at a bar to pick up babes. That’s cringe because it’s obvious he didn’t get that tattoo out of sincerity; he’s basically acting like a tool bag.”

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Alexandra Davis
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not just $3k or $2k though, it's holiday time at work, it's child care, it's that amount per person, it's all the extra costs on top like insurance, spending money, vaccinations for Thailand etc (including an expensive registry by the sounds of it!) Most people can only have one holiday a year and don't want to spend it at your wedding, especially as you sound insufferable

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Brendan was also willing to share one of his own personal moments of cringe with us. “On one of my first dates with a girl, I asked her if she was on the spectrum because I thought she was like me,” he told Bored Panda. “She didn’t like that line of questioning, but guess what: she’s my fiancé now! This type of cringe is because the cringer is unaware of how their words can affect other people’s feelings.” That may have been cringey in the moment, but I’m glad to hear the story had a happy ending!

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Ericthedead
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kardashians have absolutely no talent. Kanye is a f*****g racist with so much money it made him think he is some kind of god and drove him insane. Some folks just can’t handle their celebrity. Start believing what everyone tells them about themselves. And I’ve disliked Amy Schumer ever since she made jokes about Ryan Dunns death at a mtv roast to his best friend Steve O right after it happened and made him actually cry. She’s a hack. Give me some Doug Stanhope and Ministry Psalms 69 Jesus Built My Hotrod any day over this human garbage.

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Alex S
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate Kanye as much as the next person, but honestly what was he supposed to do? Some known idiot stages a fall in front of you looking for attention. I'd do the same.

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Boii
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't that the woman who only talks about her vagina?

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CatWoman312
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He doesn’t find her funny either I guess. At least that’s one thing I can agree with him on

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KellyO
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so desperate for attention....and i second that motion....she is sooo not funny.

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Zoe Vokes
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes it wasn’t funny at all, but I get the feeling that is how he’s react to somebody actually collapsing in front of him.

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Dre Mosley
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've genuinely given her a chance by watching a few of her stand-ups. Yeah, there are funnier women for sure. Her getting up on stage and going on about your lady parts gets old too.

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EP
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agreed. I get she might not be funny to you and she may seem embarrassing to you but I don’t think she’s ever done anything. To someone else that deserves hate. She just isn’t your type of funny then. She’s not a bad person. She doesn’t oppress others unless there’s been an incident I missed. She’s not pulling a Louie CK!

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Appalachian Panda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Far be it from me to defend Kanye for any reason whatsoever, but what was he supposed to do?

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Sam
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes, such a good prank, flopping in front of someone

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JayBird
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always looks like he wants to fight someone…or at least try

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JayBird
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a crazy a*s d-bag. Never seen such a fall from grace

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Don the Chicago Sports fan
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey Amy, maybe have some skill before you prank because that’s a skill issue right there.

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Gmaddles
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so rude. How the hell do you not stop and help? Just walk right over them like they're not even there? That's exactly what I would expect from these two.

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Ericthedead
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1 year ago

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DEW
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get it's not funny but at least offer her a hand up. It was a huge miss but she was trying and gave it a go. I just don't like no hand up or Kim could've helped. I would've gave her a hand up.Makes them look rude to me. I'm not a Shumer fan but she did it.

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AbsintheMinded
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you really surprised they didn’t offer to help? When have you EVER seen any member of that family, genuinely help another when there was nothing in it for them?

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Celtic Pirate Queen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, that's not what happened at all. She tripped and fell. It wasn't a "prank" on Kanye. But the fact he just stood there with a stupid look on his face instead of making sure she was okay or helping her up just proves what a punk he is. And the fact that Kim just follows along like the self centered b*tch SHE is tells me they were perfect for each other.

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Happy one
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1 year ago

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Wonderful
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s like Dane cook. Exploded on the comedy scene and said a lot of things that surprised and shocked ppl cause ‘women shouldn’t talk like and about that”. She was top top top then she steadily dropped dropped dropped to where now she herself is the joke. They should go on tour together.

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Gypsy Lee
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell me you’re no longer an “It” girl without telling me you’re no longer an “It” girl. - Why would anyone find this funny outside of Jr high?

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Lilith
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The world would be a better place without her unfunny self.

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Paul Pienkowski
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What are we cringing at? Amy Schumer being a moron or just Kanye walking? Both suck.

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Fish Fingers
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get what's supposed to be a 'prank' about it? I mean, not that I care about either of them particularly, but what else was supposed to happen?

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Daniel Mattock
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She steals a lot of her material and somehow manages to be one of the most successful comedians out there

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Frank S
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He’s awful, she’s awful, this isn’t even cringe, it’s more, “who cares?”

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Felicia Dale
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like her just fine. If this happened to me I’d play into it like falling down, too, or whatever.

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Kat Min
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both is awkward: the stupid prank on a red carpet where people have to look their best to secure future work and the dumb reaction from Kanye and his wife.

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Mrs.Pugh
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, the pic is confusing me. Did they edit the two pics into one?

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Kat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um, no. She pretended to trip and those twats didn't even try to help her out. She did it to a couple other people that day too

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Vicki Cunningham
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is nothing funny about Schumer. Annoying is more like it. I don't get why anyone hires her.

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Christian Miller
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1 year ago

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And lucky for all of us (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), Brendan says no one is immune to being cringey. “The cringe is unavoidable,” he told Bored Panda. “It’s a part of human ancestry. Look to our past, present, and future, and you will find that entire countries are cringe. France stole a 3,000 year old obelisk from Egypt, shipped it to France on a boat, and set it up in the middle of a traffic circle!” It’s true. It’s called the Luxor Obelisk, and you can read about it right here

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Fat Harry
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it was all looking so good until the last couple of lines.

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Alexandra Davis
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So he's not your husband, he's not in the armed forces and he never went to that school... wow!

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Finally, Brendan left us with some wise words about our cringey behavior. “The world needs to highlight it and embrace it,” he shared. “It’s like having a big pimple on your face. It’s worse if you try to hide it. Just own it, and be better next time.”

If you’d like to hear some painfully cringey stories, accompanied by hilarious commentary, be sure to check out Brendan’s podcast Watch Cringe right here or follow the show on Instagram right here!

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Zobi123
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's really cringe is posting pictures of children on social media without their parents consent.

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According to Melissa Dahl, a senior editor at The Cut and author of Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness, indulging in cringe content for fun is actually similar to experiencing nightmares, as far as our brains are concerned. “It’s our brains giving us a dose of exposure therapy,” she told Vox. “Maybe the same thing is happening for people who are drawn to cringey content, [maybe they’re] people whose deepest fear is being ostracized or made to look like a fool.”

“I think [cringe content] is a controlled way of facing this really deep fear. It’s funny to talk about being embarrassed during the year 2020 when there’s such scary things going on,” Dahl continued, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. “But, like, there’s nothing scarier than being cast out on your own and laughed out of the group!”

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BenMaharaj
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the beauties of the written word is you can elucidate your thoughts far more effectively than with speech. I don’t understand why anyone would give up that advantage.

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Are you feeling a little better about all of the cringey things you’ve ever done? Because clearly, it can always get worse! We hope you’re getting a kick out of these photos pandas, but remember, none of us are immune to the cringe. So don't get too cocky... Keep upvoting your favorite photos, and then if you want to experience even more second-hand embarrassment, you can find another Bored Panda article featuring painfully cringey content right here!

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A Wild Bean
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ew... that's just weird, I hope he at least asked the kids first if this was ok

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Kate Jones
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like I know exactly what this guy looks like and everything he owns is probably sticky and there's a lot of axe bodyspray everywhere.

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Note: this post originally had 37 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.