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Brevity! Clarity! Proper kerning (that’s the spacing between letters)! And no silly business with the fonts! At their core, signs are supposed to impart the biggest amount of information in the least amount of time. That sounds simple enough on paper (pun intended), but not everyone manages to rise to the challenge.

They follow through with their [cough] artistic vision [cough] and the result is a hot mess of utterly illegible chaos. The worst of the bunch end up being featured on the r/dontdeadopeninside subreddit, an online community that is dedicated to nonsense signs if read normally. We’ve collected some of their best posts to share with you. Scroll down, but be careful—if you’re a fan of order, you might end up facepalming way too much.

#3

Left No Turn Right Only Turn

Left No Turn Right Only Turn

thatrotteneggsmell Report

The r/dontdeadopeninside subreddit has been up and running for nearly a decade, all the way since mid-2014. Since then, the community has grown to encompass over 681k members from all over the world.

The name of the group is rooted in the hit TV series, ‘The Walking Dead,’ which had a promotional poster that had the words ‘Don’t Open’ on one half of the chained doors and ‘Dead Inside’ on the other. When read from left to right, due to the weird spacing, the message becomes ‘Don’t Dead Open Inside’ instead of the intended ‘Don’t Open Dead Inside.’

#4

You If Going Lost You’re Me Together Get Can’t Know Don’t

You If Going Lost You’re Me Together Get Can’t Know Don’t

1mnotcrying Report

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Shadow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How are you even supposed to read this? Even if I follow the lines it doesn't make sense

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According to Know Your Meme, ‘Don’t Dead Open Inside’ is one of the most well-recognized examples of messages that aren’t read as they should be because there’s no instantly-recognizable, clear way to tell what order the words ought to be in. It takes a moment to really get the message, by which time the impact the sign could have had is lost.

The meme spread on Twitter in 2010 as more and more people started realizing this. Throughout the next few years, internet users started coming up with memes and jokes based on this. Eventually, this led to the creation of r/dontdeadopeninside in 2014, which continues to be very popular to this day.

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#9

Ly Paer Soils Ca

Ly Paer Soils Ca

igethejoke Report

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Me
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's "player socials", I found that one easy to read surprisingly.

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There are a few main rules that the members of the DDOI community ought to follow. “Signs must be read correctly top to bottom, and incorrectly left to right, like any text usually. Though it does not matter how easily you can read them, it is highly encouraged to only post images with little separation or spacing between the columns of words,” the moderator team running the group explains.

#10

Redshe Neckshed

Redshe Neckshed

WishboneUnlikely1963 Report

#11

Satan Jesus Is Is Defeated Lord! [oc]

Satan Jesus Is Is Defeated Lord! [oc]

not_quite_creative Report

#12

Eggmnnaeet

Eggmnnaeet

JTUkko Report

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mr_sarcastic
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is engagement. Why not use a smaller font to write in a straight line?

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Meanwhile, redditors are encouraged to be original with their content: reposting the most popular pics of all time or signs from the last 4 months isn’t tolerated. Your posts might end up getting removed. Moreover, signs that have been staged or faked also have no place on this sub. Finally, internet users are asked to be civil to each other and to put the wrong way to read the message in the titles of their posts.

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#15

You Give Chances Kid Voice Are

You Give Chances Kid Voice Are

The_missing_link_69 Report

As we’ve covered on Bored Panda previously, clarity and brevity are absolutely vital when creating signs. Essentially, you only have a moment to get your message across. So if you cause even the slightest amount of confusion, you’ve basically negated the whole point of your sign, and it's best to start over.

#17

We Hold That All Man, These Truths, And Women To Be, Are Created Self-Evident... Equal

We Hold That All Man, These Truths, And Women To Be, Are Created Self-Evident... Equal

5W1TCHY Report

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What really helps avoid these errors is being patient and diligent. First of all, you need to put in the time and care to create the best possible version of the sign possible, along with a few alternatives. Then, take a break, come back to your design, and look at it with fresh eyes. You’re bound to see things very differently than when you’re face-deep into drafting the sign.

#19

Feed Animals School Kids Parties Groups

Feed Animals School Kids Parties Groups

Mineral_myco_medic Report

#21

Wildphot Lifeography

Wildphot Lifeography

sta015 Report

Secondly, you should definitely take the time to show your design to a few different people, whether they’re your relatives, close friends, coworkers, or—heck—even some passersby on the street. You’re essentially conducting a bit of research with tiny focus groups. They might catch a silly mistake you left in or might end up interpreting the entire sign very differently than you intended. It’s better to deal with a dash of embarrassment now than tons of it later.

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#22

Always Forgotten Remembered Never

Always Forgotten Remembered Never

godhatesanna Report

#24

Pine Man Apple Go Nada Nada

Pine Man Apple Go Nada Nada

Reckless-Ambition Report

If you’re working on a very important project, you might want to consider hiring some professionals to help you, instead of doing everything yourself. Find a designer with a decent reputation to flesh out some of your ideas. Meanwhile, consider getting in touch with a proofreader or editor as well. We all make silly mistakes from time to time, and it helps to have a real pro in your corner.

#25

Trees Trees Warn Have Fellow Musical Trees Taste

Trees Trees Warn Have Fellow Musical Trees Taste

miguelgts2 Report

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#27

Do Not Thanks; Turn Off Randy

Do Not Thanks; Turn Off Randy

jabe25 Report

The fact is that if you just wing it, you might end up losing your audience or potential customers. The more fluent your font is, the clearer your message. And vice versa! How trustworthy and likable you and your business are depends a lot on how you brand everything. Ideally, everything should be as legible as possible. With a focus on readable fonts, good kerning, and an overall design that focuses people’s attention where you want it to.

#28

I Don't Know Why Everyone Has Been Complaining. My Cage Large Eggs Have Been Very Affordable

I Don't Know Why Everyone Has Been Complaining. My Cage Large Eggs Have Been Very Affordable

derydoca Report

Here at Bored Panda, we’re very big fans of poorly designed signs—we can’t get enough of these trainwrecks! As such, we’ve featured the genius of r/dontdeadopeninside time and again. If you’d like to see some more chaotic signs that are definitely going to be misinterpreted, check out our earlier lists here and here, as well as here and here.

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#31

Eng English Lish Gram Grammar Mar

Eng English Lish Gram Grammar Mar

leinad00 Report

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who decided to make the cover of books to teach people grammar in a new language confusing. The target audience doesn't know what the base words are yet so they can't figure it out.

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#32

Tog Tog Eth Eth Er! Er!

Tog Tog Eth Eth Er! Er!

Papa-Palps Report

#34

Artcolumbůs Makes Makes Columbusart

Artcolumbůs Makes Makes Columbusart

svgcbbg Report

#36

Drinks Ice Sorry We Machine

Drinks Ice Sorry We Machine

risingsky111 Report

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#39

Scan Me To View Our Nu

Scan Me To View Our Nu

aak2137 Report

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, just bring me a regular menu. I'm old and aint got time for this s**t.

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#40

Never Always Open Look

Never Always Open Look

phurt77 Report

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Amy T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else notice it's after dark and the door is, in fact, open?

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#41

I Love The Sound When You Make Up Shut

I Love The Sound When You Make Up Shut

McDudles Report

#42

It’s Hard To Be When Humble You’re From Texas

It’s Hard To Be When Humble You’re From Texas

_Skum Report

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Me
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's meant to be read as, "It's hard to be humble when you're from Humble, Texas."

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#46

Traditional Free Glass Horse Meat Of Wine

Traditional Free Glass Horse Meat Of Wine

Ohwait11 Report

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Spencer's slave
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know for a fact that this will be downvoted but horse meat is actually really good. I had it in France.

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#48

He She Asked Said 10-4

He She Asked Said 10-4

Biblegrill Report

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MontanaMariner
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Ten Codes, 10-4 means that whatever information or order that was transmitted was received, or basically "Okay." A bit cringy here.

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#49

At Least Irma It Ain't Ian 17 Snowin 22

At Least Irma It Ain't Ian 17 Snowin 22

Richie311 Report

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Whiskey Tango Delicious
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We like to name our hurricanes. Two different occasions Irma and Ian threatened the states, this person clearly made it through the first, 🤞 fingers crossed they made it through the second

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#50

Holo Meve

Holo Meve

philpsy26 Report

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like stuff at a thrift store. Can't blame someone for putting two unrelated signs next to each other.

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#51

Palm For Trees Sale

Palm For Trees Sale

carbonx Report

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Epona
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Palm for create your own, trees sale tropical paradise

#52

Donut Be Happy Worry

Donut Be Happy Worry

IFB83 Report

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's a little song I wrote, You might want to sing it note for note, Donut worry, be happy

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#53

Is The Jesus Reason For The Season?

Is The Jesus Reason For The Season?

leolacakes Report

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#54

We Are No One Dare With You To Harm You

We Are No One Dare With You To Harm You

yussma Report

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#55

Not Sure If This Has Been Posted Here Already But Yeahh.. Lohovo Vepete

Not Sure If This Has Been Posted Here Already But Yeahh.. Lohovo Vepete

synecdokie Report

#57

Working Like To Support The Crazy Lazy

Working Like To Support The Crazy Lazy

t-readyroc Report

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fair_weather_rose (she/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Working like crazy to support the lazy. On behalf of the lazy I'm sorry, you really don't need to do that.

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#58

9/11 Was Arrest Treason The Bankers

9/11 Was Arrest Treason The Bankers

Madcat6679 Report

#60

Families Are And It’s Being Forced Not Just To Flee

Families Are And It’s Being Forced Not Just To Flee

eviltimeban Report

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#61

Same Same Game Dead Diff Erent Levels Devils

Same Same Game Dead Diff Erent Levels Devils

EmotionalTeabaggage Report

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Vicky P
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks more like a "Doff" to me, so, Different. It's horrible regardless of what it says. IMO only.

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#62

Bang Naruto Head Style Here (At Work)

Bang Naruto Head Style Here (At Work)

swinkyy_x Report

#63

Vac Cer Cination Tificate

Vac Cer Cination Tificate

WitchBLUNT Report

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Phobrek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only there had been enough room to spell out each word without line breaks

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#64

Roll Dice The

Roll Dice The

mpmwrites Report

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#66

Cry • Give Up

Cry • Give Up

Epacs Report

#67

“Fun” Dasn Riig!

“Fun” Dasn Riig!

AFabulousNarwhal Report

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#68

Red Blood Hot Sugar Chili Sex Peppers Magic

Red Blood Hot Sugar Chili Sex Peppers Magic

experimentalshoes Report

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#75

Why Would Me You Marry For Wanna Anyhow?

Why Would Me You Marry For Wanna Anyhow?

BABNN Report

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fair_weather_rose (she/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First one says "why would you wanna marry me for anyhow?" Slightly messed up grammar, but understandable once you put the words in th eright order. Second one is the response, "so I can kiss you anytime I want."

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#76

Mr.mon Lemade

Mr.mon Lemade

oinkpiggyoink Report

#78

Lat Ame Tro

Lat Ame Tro

Noise_Loop Report

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fair_weather_rose (she/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In spanish "yo soy" (often shortened to just "soy") means I am. These mean "I'm latina" "I'm american" and "I'm tropical."

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#79

You’re Do Not Next Enter

You’re Do Not Next Enter

ILikeColdSoup Report

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Lakota Wolf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes, "You're Do Not Next Enter", the lesser-known cousin of "Don't Dead Open Inside".

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#80

Because I’m Me

Because I’m Me

TiptoeingElephants Report

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fair_weather_rose (she/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you're all the same." A little cringy if you ask me, and possibly photoshopped.

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#81

Honk You If Fart

Honk You If Fart

cyx6six Report

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KatZen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alabama. This is almost too edgy for Alabama so I applaud them for trying.