Some days, you can’t help but believe in the idea that irony is a living, breathing, cosmic force with a very unusual sense of humor and a personal interest in your life. And if you’re one of the rare people who don’t believe in things like irony or fate, don’t worry, we’re pretty sure that they believe in you.
Bored Panda’s collected some of the finest, most iconic (some might even go as far as to say ‘epic’) ironic moments in the recent history of the internet. So get ready to have a good chuckle as you scroll down. Drop us a comment somewhere below explaining which moments you thought were particularly ironic. And remember to upvote your favorite pics, as well as share the post with your amigos who might be in need of some cheering up. Scroll down for Bored Panda’s informative interview with Albert Katz, Professor Emeritus from Western University, who went into detail about irony, its types, uses, as well as how we process it.
Also be sure to look through Bored Panda’s previous post about the most ironic moments ever, as well as our list of the most ironic things that ever happened.
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Kids, This Is What We Call Irony
Uhmm...
There were a couple of moments with unexpectedly delicious ironic twists that stuck in our heads. The first one was how an empty Nigerian apartment was discovered to hold 43 million dollars (shame on us thinking that every single one of those spam emails from supposed princes was from scammers!). While the second one was how publications like Cosmopolitan can support radically different points of view in different articles.
Bored Panda interviewed Albert Katz, Professor Emeritus of Cognitive, Developmental, and Brain Sciences from Western University’s Department of Psychology. The professor went into detail about the topic of irony.
“In my studies I have found that university-level students have a pretty clear notion of sarcasm, but are actually quite vague about irony,” the professor said. According to him, there are several types of irony, such as the irony of fate in literature. An example of that would be Oedipus unknowingly killing his father and marrying mother.
Dogs Are Not Allowed On Beach Due To Possibility That They Might Make A Mess
I would rather the dogs than the ferals who left all that s**t lying everywhere.
Also, it's still people at fault if they don't pick up the dog mess. Dogs aren't the problem.
I once witnessed a woman allow her toddler to take a huge dump on the beach (near the waterline and in front of everyone) and then just cover it with sand. There was a cafe with toilets less than 10 metres away. No, I didn't say anything (and neither did anyone else) because she looked like a bulldog chewing a wasp.
Kathleen Barlow You and others who live in a passive aggressive cocoon are as much as a problem with human attitudes as the person like the bulldog human in your post who has zero respect for anyone or anything. I weigh less than 130lbs but wouldn't hesitate to confront someone bigger than me if they were broadcasting that degree of filth and disrespect. At the very least you should have taken pictures and a) showed them to beach security/life guards and b) posted them online. Shame on you and shame on her.
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It’s not that dogs are messier, it’s that their owners dont pick up after them
Unfortunately the same people who leave their trash there are the ones bringing their dogs on the beach and not cleaning up after them..... it's an unfortunate thing that responsible pet owners are largely overshadowed by the disgusting pigs like this and give us a bad name.
humans on the other hand DEFINITELY wont make a mess. we only lay our garbage on the sand and let it get washed into the ocean and kill the sea life
I sneak in my dog at a soccer field close to my house when nobody is there so that he can run, since there are no dog parks around and I do not have a car. The field is always dirty with snack containers, bottles, clothes, rest of foods, etc. Dogs are not allowed because, why? Humans should be banned!
Nothing and no one is as messy and disrespectful as humans. I am often ashamed to be one...
It's the bacteria they spread in poo, which can cause problems in humans. Gastroenteritis is no fun. These people who trash beaches are immature
So...This is Miami, Florida. The sign also says, "No Littering." and "No Alcoholic Beverages."
Sheesh, dogs may poop where they aren't supposed to but at least their waste is biodegradable
I do hope you're not suggesting that dog feces should be left to biodegrade on the beach.?
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They need one of those establishments that will give you a free soda if you're bringing a bucket full of garbage!
Well - many do sadly. It is difficult to differentiate between dog-owners who are responsible and those who aren't. Many human beings are not ripe to go to the public. This is true.
Actually dogs aren't allowed on beaches because of diseases and parasites, not because of "making a mess".
thats great now we know that lifegaurds should watch the people more caefully and let the dogs go on the beach
I love how the dog is just looking at the mess.....and he is like you are worried about me? This pathetic. I would rather have a doggie mess this this human mess.
I've always wondered at that incredibly stupid sign myself.... clearly humans ought to be banned, not dogs.
At least, the dog mess would be for a good reason, and it wouldn't take 800+ years to disappear....
There is a new park in my city and it’s forbidden for dogs. Why? Because dogs make a mess. Bluh people who don’t clean up after their dog totally ruin it for others who do. Also humans make more mess than dogs
Are you sure that's not simply the Night Vale dog park? Dogs are not allowed in the dog park. Then again, neither are people.
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Probably because they know these people wouldn’t pick up after their dogs.
The Irony Of These Days
National Geographic Magazine Has Arrived. With An Alert About Excessive Use Of Plastic. It Comes In A Plastic Shrink. And Inside A Plastic Bag To Reinforce The Protection
Most of us instinctively understand when a situation is ironic. However, it’s far more difficult to explain what exactly irony is using words. Throughout history, there have been hundreds of suggestions on how best to define it. And some of us might even have our own private definitions of what irony is.
The Irony
Oh The Irony
Oh The Irony
The most basic definition of irony will include that it’s a contradiction between what’s expected and what actually happens in real life. When you put it like that, you come to realize that irony really is all about expectations being shattered in a humorous way.
Professor Katz said: “There are several components that usually go into irony, and turning irony into sarcasm. Basically, a central motif is the violation of an expectation. But the context in which that violation occurs may make it humorous or not, or sarcastic or not.”
The Irony Present
I am not english .. but I never understood why they have so much trouble with your and you're... I mean it's so logical right? What am I missing ...
Oh The Irony
Walmart Employee
"Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans."
A thing that a lot of us mix up is verbal irony and sarcasm. Though they’re usually used interchangeably, they’re not the same.
One way to remember the difference is this: sarcasm is primarily used to insult someone or cause them harm. If it hurts your feelings, it’s most likely sarcasm, not irony. Now that’s a piece of trivia that you can really wow your friends with.
Katz agreed with the idea that sarcasm has “a negative usage” when compared to “verbal irony, such as how we use it in everyday speech.”
“One can think of irony used sarcastically (e.g. when saying something framed positively, but intending a negative insulting meaning: when one says “you’re my best friend” just after said friend did something mean). But one can also get irony used in the opposite way, such as saying something that on the surface sounds nasty, but is meant positively (e.g. “You're sooo bad”).”
Stop Texting While Driving
This Sign In My Kid’s Elementary School Fills Me With Nihilistic Joy
Oh The Irony
“The question of how easy it is to understand or get the point of irony, or sarcasm, is a difficult one," the professor noted. "People differ both in the habitual usage of irony or sarcasm and when dealing with a person who often uses sarcasm, for instance, people sometimes erroneously interpret an ambiguous comment not intended ironically as being ironic, or sarcastic.”
“Also there is research that indicates individual differences in using and understanding irony in general,” Katz explained. “Some people are very literal thinkers and miss the irony presented. Some of my own work indicates that the processing of irony occurs almost immediately during comprehension. One doesn't think about it and at some later point think, oh, was he being ironic when he said X.”
“One thing I do believe is that the processing of irony, or sarcasm, is not based on any one factor, such as a failed expectation, but on a set of computations going on simultaneously,” the professor added.
Nigerian Princes Were Real All This Time
Quite Ironic Really
Oh The Irony
Wasps Made A Nest On My Wasp Spray Bottle
They're establishing dominance. I for one support our future leaders
Not Too Good At Her Job
My Mom Is Cleaning Out The Library At The Preschool Where She Works And Sent Me This
Effing Horrible
You're Welcome
The Irony Was Strong With This One
How Did He Get Hired?
Just one of these "advanced" drivers showing of their "advanced car handling skills". AKA jerks.
Ironic That My Pup Chewed Up This Specific Cards Against Humanity Card
The Silent And Powerful Mocking Of A Single Sign
Well Now, That's Ironic
My Computer Lab At My School Is Ironically Labeled
Lady Posts On Facebook To Complain About Employees Not Helping Disabled Customer While Simultaneously Not Helping, Either
Live. Local. Late Braking
In Court For Shoplifting
My Car Displays A Long Distracting Message Reminding You To Not Participate In Distracted Driving–while Driving
Mine too. One when you turn the car one, and again when you put it in drive! Please don't distract me right when I'm shifting from reverse!
Nothing Is Written In Stone
Didn't Have Time To Read It I Guess
The Epitome Of Irony
Author Asks Why His Book Called 'No. More. Plastic' Was Wrapped In Plastic
The Irony Of The Bar At A Paypal Business Event
I Found This Picture To Be Incredibly Ironic
The Irony Of This Snickers Bar
I Don't Think The Women's Department Gets The Irony
The Very Definition Of Irony
Those Gears Won't Turn, Which I Guess Makes It A Fairly Apt Metaphor For School Districts And Education
I'm A Public Defender. The ATM In Jail Always Strikes Me As A Little Ironic
I Mean Isn’t This Ironic?
Great Advice
Irony At It's Best
Found This Little Piece Of Irony In The Local Paper
How Ironic
Oh The Irony
Ironic Misprint On An Eye Doctor's Appointment Card
Brags About Standing For Anthem. Sits His Ass On Flag
And That’s How Capitalism Works
Found A Travel Brochure From The World Trade Center While Cleaning Out My House
“Straw Free” But Overloading On Plastic Cutlery
Oh, The Irony
Irony?
Ohhh The Irony
My Wife Mocking The "Slippery When Wet" Sign. I Think The Sign Won
The Irony
I Guess I'll Be Drinking Some Irony This Morning
The whole " This is not an option" thing is c**p. Whatever "this" is, it's always an option. Might not be the best of options, but it's an option.
Oh, The Irony
My Mum Sent Me This Unintentionally Ironic Photo Of An Accident At Her Work The Other Day
Irony
The Irony Of This App's Name
Irony
This does not count! This is from Viz magazine, a british comic that used zany and satirical humour. The cartoon equivalent of talking total bollocks. This is from the 'letterbocks' section. (Yes, its a deliberate mis-spelling).
Local Drive-In Theatre Showing The Two Most Ironic Movies They Could Show This Week
Didn't see the full picture at first... That is indeed pretty ironic
The Irony's Not Lost On Me
But look how proud he is, a little cutie! He does not need training.
Which Is The Greater Irony?
Cut My Finger While Opening A Package Of Band Aids
How Ironic
Oh, The Irony
This is one of those "other people can't do this thing but I personally can because I'm not a bad person" thought lines. It's surprising how many people get pissed at others for doing something they themselves have done and/or are currently doing. They seem to figure that they're special and above rules, it's mind boggling.
How Ironic
Yes, Yes You Are
My Dad Tried Filling Up The Pool Today
Wife Brought This Home Today And Was Excited To Hang It On The Wall. 10 Minutes Later My 1 And 3-Year-Old Took A Red Crayon To It While We Were Cooking Dinner. We Think It Is Perfectly Ironic
Irony On The Bachelorette
Upvote for the item, 5,000 upvotes for ABC actually putting this up 😂
The Irony
If you "rent new" then doesn't that automatically become a "rent used" when it is returned?
A Healthy Dose Of Irony
As We Speak, This Doctor Is Laughing At The Irony Of Where My Skin Infection Is On This Henna Tattoo
They told you thats henna? Yeah, no wonder you've got an infection. Those things are giving henna a bad name. Real henna is reddish-brown, not black. Its all naturall and will never give you an infection. Those black types are laden with I don't know what, which can even scar you for life.
Oh The Irony
The Perfect Irony Doesn't Exist
Anti-Plastic Book Wrapped In Said Plastic
Stopped At An Intersection, Saw This. The Irony
I Bought Socks Off Amazon Last Week. They Started Using Holiday Themed Boxes With Funny Quotes On The Sides. I Was Impressed By The Irony
Oh The Irony
Just Happened In My Neighboring Town. Truly Iconic
Hipster Irony (Hint: Read Forearm Tattoo)
This Ironic Drink Machine Doesn't Give Many Choices
Makes me think of an email I got at work. They were putting in vending that has healthy choices. The guy got pissy because people were requesting other stuff. Is it really a choice if all there is is healthy?
I miss the unpaid internship offered by Fight Against Slavery. Slavery-5d...c2b332.png 
Apparently Bored Panda can't tell the difference between irony & coincidence!
I think it's clear that the definition of irony needs to be changed to reflect what almost everyone perceives it to be.
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I love Bored Panda. This is the first time I've seen caustic political comments. That c**p is everywhere. Let's keep Bored Panda out of the battle.
Why did you take away like a hundred posts?? Yes people are complaining but come on, stop scrolling after 50 then!! Why destroy it for everyone else that thought #90 was funny? Seriously. Idiots.
The extra items are still accessible by clicking the link at the bottom of the shorter article.
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Okay, why do we need over 100 posts (maybe this is just me) but I get to about maybe 50 and then skip down to the comments session. Like @Carol Emory said some just get week aswell.
Well usually they cut it down after a couple of hours to the top 30-50 pictures because of what you’re talking about, but many people (including myself) actually like reading the whole thing (judging by amount we complained before they added the button to see the whole post after they cut it down).
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Found that in my parent's souvenir. Sadly ironic :( 734348_101...09834e.jpg 
Holy s**t. I'm amazed that's not a viral photo. Wow.
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This was on the whole, one of the most hateful things ever posted on Bored Panda, as a conservative, I deal with a lot of sporadic insult on this page because of liberal bias, but honestly people should be ashamed of themselves. Free speech is out the window in this country because people like you think it's ok to ostracize, harass and even brutalize people for their opinions. Disgusting.
cause some people might post inappropriate comments
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Which would probably be why they don't have many votes and are at the bottom of a ranked list.
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I miss the unpaid internship offered by Fight Against Slavery. Slavery-5d...c2b332.png
Apparently Bored Panda can't tell the difference between irony & coincidence!
I think it's clear that the definition of irony needs to be changed to reflect what almost everyone perceives it to be.
Load More Replies... I love Bored Panda. This is the first time I've seen caustic political comments. That c**p is everywhere. Let's keep Bored Panda out of the battle.
Why did you take away like a hundred posts?? Yes people are complaining but come on, stop scrolling after 50 then!! Why destroy it for everyone else that thought #90 was funny? Seriously. Idiots.
The extra items are still accessible by clicking the link at the bottom of the shorter article.
Load More Replies... Okay, why do we need over 100 posts (maybe this is just me) but I get to about maybe 50 and then skip down to the comments session. Like @Carol Emory said some just get week aswell.
Well usually they cut it down after a couple of hours to the top 30-50 pictures because of what you’re talking about, but many people (including myself) actually like reading the whole thing (judging by amount we complained before they added the button to see the whole post after they cut it down).
Load More Replies... Found that in my parent's souvenir. Sadly ironic :( 734348_101...09834e.jpg
Holy s**t. I'm amazed that's not a viral photo. Wow.
Load More Replies... This was on the whole, one of the most hateful things ever posted on Bored Panda, as a conservative, I deal with a lot of sporadic insult on this page because of liberal bias, but honestly people should be ashamed of themselves. Free speech is out the window in this country because people like you think it's ok to ostracize, harass and even brutalize people for their opinions. Disgusting.
cause some people might post inappropriate comments
Load More Replies... Which would probably be why they don't have many votes and are at the bottom of a ranked list.
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