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50 Hilarious Signs Showing That Some People Really Do Let Their Imagination Run Wild (New Pics)
Whether it’s information, a plea, or an ad that’s put up on a sign, many people pay no attention to them anymore. That is unless the artist behind the sign finds a way to catch their attention; and one of the most effective ways to do that is using humor or shock.
If you want to see if that actually works, you can browse the list below: that’s where we put some of the funniest and most unique signs we managed to find on the internet. Go down the list, take a look at each sign, and consider whether or not it would catch your eye if you saw it on the street. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to upvote your favorite ones, too!
On the list below, you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University, Maurice J. Elias, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on the role humor and surprise plays in regards to all kinds of signs.
This post may include affiliate links.
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#2
I’m Convinced To Learn Fencing
#3
A Sign By The Airport In Helsinki, Finland
ABC NrNine FCK CENSORISM 9 months ago
Seriously, BP? Helsinki dares to put BADÀSS on a giant sign, all out in public, yet here we are with your crappy censoring again? Sod off!
I bet you, yourself, have seen a sign similar to the ones on this list in the wild at some point in your life. Something so unexpected and funny, you might have even done a double take to make sure your eyes were not deceiving you.
Well, we wanted to learn why that is—why we take notice of certain incongruities or shocking messages in places we did not expect them to be—so, we got in touch with Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University, Maurice J. Elias, who noted that it’s expectations that play a big role when it comes to humor or shock and attention.
#4
Saw This On My Way Home From Work
#5
This Sign At My Dog Groomer
In a recent interview with Bored Panda, Prof. Elias explained that a big reason why people find things humorous is that they don't meet their expectations; and they do so in a particular way that brings about surprise and delight.
“This is a key point,” he said. “If I have no expectations, I won't be surprised. That's why so much of humor is topical and contextual.”
#6
This Billboard Is Pretty Famous In Our Town For The Things It Says
#7
Yeah Okay Then
#8
Utah Has Its Issues, But It’s Traffic Signs Are Top Notch
Earthquake903 9 months ago
That's cool, but how about some signs that say STOP PULLING IM FRONT OF TRUCKS THEN SLOWING DOWN YOU IDIOT!
“The most enduring humor is about things that change relatively little—marriage, having children, work routines—that are so similar across time and contexts that jokes and humor related to these are transportable,” the psychology professor continued. “Of course, in cultures where these rituals are very prescribed, they won't find things funny that most others might.”
#9
This Billboard Up The Street From My House
#10
The Sign At The Pizza Place I Go To
#11
So Thoughtful Of The Sign Makers
Delving deeper into the significance of signs, especially the funny ones, Prof. Elias suggested that in public, signs can give us an unexpected way of looking at or thinking about something that otherwise was familiar or routine.
Take headlines, for example. “This is not quite an example of amusing signs in public, but I think it's in the same spirit,” the expert noted. Despite being something we see everyday, some of the headlines—especially the shocking or funny ones—can make us focus on them more, sometimes inadvertently. And that can be put to good use! For example, by grabbing the attention of students that otherwise might not be very focused on a certain task.
#12
Deceiving Promises
#13
Legit Sign Post
#14
Proceed With Caution
In a piece for Edutopia, Prof. Elias wrote how using examples of communication errors in news headlines—the so-called bloopers—can help teach students the importance of careful communication.
“In the example, we use poorly formed and often unintentionally funny headlines as a way of getting students to pay closer attention to what they are writing and reading. So in this way, we are using humor to increase attention.”
Arguably, the same method can be used to make sure people pay attention to your sign.
#15
My Husband Is In The Process Of Redoing Our Lawn. He Recently Began Destroying All Our Grass. I Didn’t Want Our Neighbors To Think We Were Neglectful Homeowners, So I Made A Sign
#16
One Cardboard Sign To Rule Them All
#17
Treat Fast Food Workers Kindly
Michael Largey 9 months ago (edited)
If you think your workers are amazing, why don't you pay them accordingly? Being paid a wage you can't live on will kill your spirit a lot quicker than unkind words.
Summing up, Prof. Elias noted that our brains respond well to novelty: funny or shocking things are usually different ‘takes’ on things that are familiar, so they grab our attention. “But as most people know, watching the same shocking thing over and over again loses its shock value and it does not hold our attention as it did the first couple of times. The same goes for things we find funny,” he added. “We stop finding funny things funny and they don't hold our attention.”
So, make sure to stay creative with your signs! What works once, might not work time and again under the same circumstances.
#18
This Sign Outside An Animal Hospital
Inigo Montoya 9 months ago
Cats would have 3 text message templates set up: FEED ME, PET ME, GO AWAY
#19
This Sign Was Placed Behind A European Gas Station Frequented By International Truckers
#20
"Oilyfans" Billboards Show BP Chief Executive Topless After Earning £10 Million
#21
No Matter Which Planet You're From
#22
There's No Correlation Between Age And Competence After All
Serial pacifist 9 months ago (edited)
Oh boy did I misread this (quite tired). I literally read it as “Adults semen a lot adultier when I was a kid” and I was like WTF! 🙀
#23
Sign Outside A Local Tattoo Parlor In Michigan
#24
This Volunteer Fire Department Sign Near My House
#25
Holy Water
#26
My Garbage Collectors Got This Note This Morning. Tis The Season
#27
Excellent Billboard
#28
Think That's Good Thing
#29
This Sign Telling Me To “Duck"
BookFanatic 9 months ago
I'd think it was a duck crossing and bang my head whilst looking for ducks.
#30
The Car Dealership Billboard Shade Game Is Strong Outside Of Charleston, SC
#31
Absolutely No Parking
#32
Perfect Instead Of "Beware Of Dog"
#33
Sign Above Urinal In China
#34
Hmmmmmmm
#35
Read The Sign. Or Don't
Socks Thecate 9 months ago
That's all fine and dandy but every time I have done that some miserable person steals the container too.
#36
Local Church's Sign In My Town
#37
This Caught Me Off Guard
#38
You Could Not Have Warned Me A Little Earlier
#39
It's Very True
#40
Bookstore’s Closed Sign In Seattle
#41
Bar Sign In Japan
#43
Happy Thanksgiving From The Phoenix Adot Road Signs
#44
This Large Billboard Of A Random Goat
#45
How Many Accidents Do You Think Micheal Has Had?
#46
This Is The Sign My Gym Puts Up When The Janitors Are Cleaning The Women's Locker Room
Rachel Pelz 9 months ago
Weird way of putting it. But when I saw a sign indicating this in words for the first time, I did appreciate the information. If you see a man in the ladies' room, he isn't trying to assault but just cleaning the place.
Emma London 9 months ago
It isn't to warn about the man per se, but warn you. Some women might not want to walk in and start striping for a shower, and only then notice that there is a cleaning person in there who happens to be a man.
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Bryan Wright 9 months ago
If this sign was in Scotland it might indicate that there was a trans person inside. Great idea to alert all the biological women.
Yourlocalrealitybender 9 months ago
OK, but I'd be more worried about his Metal Gear Ray impression
Cheryl Ramsay 9 months ago
When I was in college and a guy was working on the floor I lived on, there was ALWAYS a "man on the floor" sign.
Cybele Spanjaard 9 months ago
Ok the pic could have him with a mop in his hands not leaping for joy
Sky Render 9 months ago
One sure with that a man has been cleaning the women's restrooms is when the seats are all up when you go in. So inconsiderate...
Sally Moen 9 months ago
The seats are put in the up position because the business asks for that. It's kind of visual proof that it was cleaned.
Load More Replies... #47
Saw This Billboard Coming Home From Work
#48
Sign Guy Needs Better Pay
#49
Maybe Someone Should Check In On Sheffield And Make Sure They’re Ok
keyboardtek 9 months ago
Then we would all need to be taught lucid dreaming to be able to do this.
#50
Spotted At A Brewery In Washington D.C.
Laura Gillette 9 months ago
Apparently unattended children are being allowed access to all our government's servers in washington, dc now
#51
Wise Words
#52
Someone Keeps Putting Stickers On The Stop Signs On My Town
#53
There's A Story Here
#54
If You Do Fall, Be Sure To Do Jazz Hands
#55
Ever Feel Like The Universe Is Giving You A Sign?
#56
Billboard Where I Live Near Burning Man
#57
Just Moved In And Bought This Sign… Finally Feels Like Home
#58
Am I Going To Be Saved Or Shot?
#59
Sign At The Hardware Store
#60
Well, Obviously
#61
The Mythical Cord
#62
Is This A Good Or Bad Thing?
kzys59pcrp 9 months ago (edited)
I think he does recommend it because way too many people use it to hate
#63
This Response To Stair Accidents
#64
Not Sure Who Was Thirsty Enough For This Sign To Exist, But I’m Kinda Glad They Were
#65
Learn 2 Make Signs Professional
#66
There Must Be A Story Behind Why This Sign Is Necessary
#67
We Need More Humorous Signs In The World
#68
Hospital Cafe Sign
Sky Render 9 months ago
I guess they too didn't know what to do with those tossed salads and scrambled eggs.
#70
This Sign Seems To Be A Little Redundant
#71
This Sign In My New Apartment Building. I Live On The 28th Floor
#72
This Funny Sign My City Put Up About Dogs
Giulia Fortunati 9 months ago
If you don't pick you dog's poo, you don't deserve a dog! It literally takes 30 seconds!!!!!!!
#73
This Sign At The Akron Zoo That Looks Like A Man Peeing In His Own Face
#75
All Lemonade Sucks, Why Don't We Just Inject Sugar Right Into Our Bloodstreams And Get It Over With?
BeesEelsAndPups 9 months ago
This is why I have my own saying: "When life hands you lemons, squirt lemon juice into the eyes of your enemies"
#76
Sign On The Side Door/Employee Entrance At A Local Hardware Store
#77
Sign On My Local Chinese Buffet
Robert Beveridge 9 months ago
Damn, kids will smoke anything these days. When I was a kid, we held out for Fieros and Trans Ams!
#78
This Is A Billboard In Cleveland, Ohio. With No Context At All, What Do You Think It's For?
Morgan Neel 9 months ago
It's Tim Misny, he's a lawyer in ohio. His signs are everywhere and hilarious. Source- I live here lol
#79
My Wife Made This Sign For The Holidays
#80
This Sign Is A Self-Referential Recursive Advertisement
#82
Thanks! I Grew It Myself
#83
Elmer Is Coming
#84
He Could’ve Just Called Me
#85
All This Billboard Says Is "Your Wife Is Hot"
TuesdayDangerGirl 9 months ago
Oh! This is near me! It's a sign for a company that sells inground pools :)
#86
If You Can't Beat 'Em
#87
Welcome! (But Actually No)
#88
Local Billboard. Oh God, The Eyes
#89
Whoa, Nelly
#90
Hacked Highway Sign On The H1, Honolulu, Hawaii. Heading Westbound
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