Walk or drive down any stretch of road and you’re sure to pass a few signs telling you what you can and can’t do. Add in homes, businesses and a few landmarks and you’re practically swimming in signage designed to help you know what’s around you. But like with any human creation, it’s entirely possible for someone to make terrible design decisions.
The colorfully and aptly named “Stupid Signs and Random Hysterics” Facebook group is dedicated to just that, signs that really needed a bit more thought. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments down below.
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Well the reason is , ignorance is treatable… you just can’t fix stupid 🤷♀️that would be why ,
If ignorance rants and rages against being corrected / taught, *cough* *cough* then that verges into stupid territory
Load More Replies...Because removing warning labels from obvious dangers as IQ test is seen as unethical
People who do this at home when they hear or read, "don't try this at home."
Load More Replies...😂😂😂😂😂we need this for fly tippers ( to the USA lot etc , dumping of waste illegally, ie in fields on road sides down alley ways in towns anywhere bar the bloody bin ! Of the rubbish tip or a skip )
Because you dont have public bins! At least the south of England has none. I never litter, so I had to hang on to (sugar free) candy wrappers until we formed an emotional bond. Almost shed a tear at the airport bin when boarding our flight back.
Load More Replies...The world is a confusing place, but sometimes the most baffling things aren't the mysteries of the universe, they are the signs we encounter on our way to the grocery store. From storefronts to highway shoulders, public signage is meant to guide, protect, and inform us, yet it often fails so spectacularly that it achieves a level of accidental comedy. Whether it is a result of a lost-in-translation moment, a design oversight, or a purely literal interpretation of a rule, these hilariously dumb signs remind us that communication is a very fragile art form.
When you think about the sheer number of eyes that usually see a sign before it is printed and installed, it is truly a miracle that some of these blunders make it into the wild. Many of the best fails happen when a sign tries to state the obvious but manages to make it sound like an existential threat. For example, a sign that reads "Caution: Water on Road During Rain" isn't exactly a revelation to anyone with a basic understanding of weather. These instances of unintentional comedy serve as a great reminder that sometimes, the more we try to be helpful, the more we end up pointing out the painfully obvious.
Same. My usual deliveroo driver has been singing it to me for weeks.
Load More Replies...After renting it he was broadsided by a texting driver & needed a personal injury lawyer.
Literalism is another major contributor to the hall of fame for ridiculous signage. We have all seen those "Stop" signs that have been vandalized with a "Hammertime" sticker, but the real gems are the ones that were born to be silly. Imagine a sign in a park that says "Grass is strictly forbidden from growing," or a "Do Not Breathe Underwater" warning at the bottom of a swimming pool. These signs often occur because of strict liability laws where lawyers insist on warnings for every possible scenario, no matter how much they defy common sense or the laws of physics.
Not everything in the library is true either, so there is that to consider as well.
Then there are the formatting disasters, where a simple lack of spacing or a poorly placed line break turns a wholesome message into something entirely different. A sign that reads "Kids eat free" is great, but a sign that accidentally reads "Kids eat for free on Tuesdays, delicious" is a very different vibe. These design fails highlight why graphic designers are worth their weight in gold. A single misplaced comma or a font that makes a "C" look like an "L" can turn a professional business into a viral laughing stock in a matter of seconds.
As if the word "closed" means anything to some impatient customers. Expect that door to be pulled and pushed until something snaps
Brings back memories of the two and a half years I worked in a grocery store during the pandemic. I was almost always on closing shift, and we closed at 10. There were a LOT of people who would literally try to pry open our now-locked automatic doors after we were closed, demanding to be let in so they could shop XD I thought it was just nighttime crazies, but the few times I was on opening shift and had to be at work an hour before the store opened, it would happen then too - customers literally trying to rip the doors open before the store opened XD
Load More Replies...Fond memories of a person wanting to enter a museum before its opening time. Tried pushing, pulling, and when that didn't work the next logical steps were banging on the door, ringing the bell, calling the desk and then my personal phone that she found on LinkedIn (I've stopped using it since). I didn't pick up because ma'am I'm here early but I start my day at 9, it's obviously closed, three persons passed near the door and gestured that it's closed, the cleaning crew's still here, just wait. At 9am, we open and she barges in saying "it's crazy, it was closed! (Me)-Yes, it opens at 9. (Her) I have booked a visit here! (Me)-Yes, at 9. A time chosen because that's when we open." She couldn't grasp why we didn't open sooner. The museum was old so the sound of her fists against the door were heard in the whole building including the director's office.
I remember seeing one for 'Temporary roadworks'. Underneath, somebody had scribbled 'Permanent notice'.
Load More Replies...Sounds about right lol , n then they bodge it up , only to come back months later to put same sign up n then bodge it again ,
Translation errors are perhaps the most prolific category of signage silliness, often referred to as "Engrish" when found in international contexts. While these can be charming, they frequently lead to instructions that feel more like riddles or philosophical challenges. A sign that intends to say "Please be quiet" might end up saying "Respect the silence of the ancient air," which is arguably much more poetic but slightly less clear for a library setting. These cross-cultural hiccups remind us that language is more than just words, it is about the context and the spirit behind the message.
Needs "(Again)" after the "No three raccoons in a trench coat trying to trick me".
Why does it always have to be Rome? Why not Sydney?
Load More Replies...Public safety signs often fall victim to being overly specific in ways that are deeply suspicious. When you see a sign that says "Do Not Throw Rocks at This Sign," you have to wonder how many people were throwing rocks before the authorities decided a sign was the best solution. It is the classic "Streisand Effect" in action, by telling people not to do something incredibly specific and weird, you are essentially planting the seed for them to try it. These signs are less like warnings and more like a dare to the bored teenagers of the world.
I'm over 3, and I can feel the pressure build up already. It's almost hurtful. Oh, no, wait - I just had to fаrt.
Load More Replies..."birder's b*m" - never spotted one of those, thank heavens
Load More Replies...My uncle did a sandwich swap with a workmate once, workmate was not happy to find out that when unc said young chicken, he meant egg ...
Eggshells aren't bone XD Eggshell is comprised of calcium carbonate, and bone is comprised of calcium phosphate (and collagen.)
Load More Replies...When making chicken nuggets, you're bathing the mother in the embryonic juices of her unborn children.
Business signs often try to use humor to attract customers, but there is a fine line between a clever pun and a "dad joke" that has gone horribly wrong. A hair salon called "Curl Up and Dye" is a classic, but some business owners get a bit too creative with their roadside marquees. From puns about "meat" at a butcher shop to "tire-ing" jokes at an auto body center, these signs are meant to be engaging but often leave passersby groaning as they drive away. It is a brave marketing strategy that relies entirely on the customer’s tolerance for wordplay.
"Is it an egg? Or a plant? Tell it to go away and come back when it makes up its mind!" - G. Carlin
Load More Replies...Flowers do produce eggs, female s*x cell, male gametes are pollen.
Many years ago there used to be a sign similar to this that i used to drive past,it was at the entrance to a farm, it said FURNITURE STRIPPING POTATOES
You'd be amazed how often an educated adult has asked me when the ducklings were born.
I'd fully expect an educated duck to ask when a human baby was hatched.
Load More Replies...As my maths teachers would say, "Show your working"
Load More Replies...Considering this fomula is neither solvable nor poperly formatted, perhaps she shouldn't set her standards too high.
Correct. It's wrong from the very start . "log, base 1, of 10" doesn't have a defined value. It's basically asking "1 to what power equals 10?" 1 to any power always equals 1 and never 10.
Load More Replies...There are few problems in here, but for start, there is a missing bracket, what is the "V", "f" or "t" and my fav "log1".
It says 'smart.' That doesn't have to mean you're MIT-level on mathematics. Could also mean you use your head to find alternative ways to reach a certain goal.
Load More Replies...The mathematical expression cannot be solved because several variables (\(f\), \(V\), \(t\), and others in the second fraction's numerator and denominator) are undefined. Gotta Love AI for this answer
The digital age has introduced a whole new genre of sign failures: the electronic glitch. We have all seen a massive highway marquee that usually displays traffic updates suddenly showing a Windows error message or a "Blue Screen of Death." There is something inherently funny about a piece of high-tech machinery giving up on life and asking for a reboot in the middle of a busy intersection. It reminds us that no matter how much we rely on technology to guide our paths, it is just as prone to having a bad day as the rest of us.
Or Tinder. You will not be bored after you get on Tinder, but its not always a good thing...
If that's why you're getting married, it'll probably fix your boredom. With interesting times.
One would imagine that, if you had that bad of an experience at 18, the second and third marriages at 21 and 34 would not have happened - you didn't need to be "told". At most, the marriage at 34 shouldn't have happened if the ones at 18 AND 21 were that bad. Again, without you needing to be "told" so.
Load More Replies...Two Alaskan mosquitoes were carrying a moose. "Let's take it over by the lake to eat it," says one. The other one says, "Are you crazy? The big ones will take it away from us!"
Another fascinating category is the "Passive-Aggressive Note" sign, usually found in office kitchens or apartment lobbies. These are the signs born out of pure frustration, written by someone who has reached their breaking point with people leaving dirty dishes in the sink. These signs often include excessive use of clip art and multiple exclamation points. While they are intended to enforce order, they usually just provide a source of entertainment for everyone else while highlighting the simmering tensions of communal living.
If you're housebound, how do you know what any roads need, let alone all?
Load More Replies......one that involves an influencer and her "professional fashion photo session".
Load More Replies...Saw a woman at Machu Picchu wearing high heels. Later saw her being carried on a stretcher.
There should be many many many of these signs in many many places around the world!
I've seen a wedding in the ruins of a castle where this sign would have been useful. I was working there and thankfully it was a calm day so I spent a good chunk of my time helping the bride and bridesmaids going up what used to be stone stairs without ruining their ankles. Everyone was super nice though and they blew bubbles which is always enjoyable.
I can't believe I used to go shopping in four inch stilettos, but that was the 80s for you. Not now, birkies all the way
Load More Replies...Even the most official organizations aren't immune to the occasional blunder. Government agencies and municipal departments have been known to install signs that contradict each other within a ten-foot radius. Seeing a "No Parking" sign directly underneath a "Park Here" sign is a masterclass in bureaucratic confusion. These moments of signage irony make us feel a little bit better about our own daily mistakes. If a city planning department can't get it right, why should we feel bad about forgetting our car keys?
Aint they all? And yes, when Sherlock's Abominable Bride came out, I said the same thing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ultimately, these dumb signs are a testament to the human condition. We are a species that tries very hard to organize the world, but we often trip over our own shoelaces in the process. They give us a reason to pause, look up from our phones, and share a laugh with a stranger. In a world that can often feel overly serious and strictly regulated, a sign that makes absolutely no sense is a small, glorious gift of absurdity. It keeps us on our toes and reminds us to always read the fine print, if only for the laughs.
That’s a sign only someone who put their wife in a bag would write.
Ignorant question. Can people really just...throw away deer parts in their garbage can for the sanitation folks to pick up?
Answering your question with a question: Is there really that much difference between deer offal and poopy diapers, or the parts from the whole chicken you didn't want (neck, liver, gizzard)? But would you even blink before thinking about putting feces-filled diapers in the garbage bin? Maybe you would, but most people wouldn't.
Load More Replies...For home repair businesses - "For an extra $200, we'll tell your spouse that it wasn't your fault and that this was the right time to pay a pro."
For another $100, they'll add that you were really wise to call them before it became a much bigger problem.
Load More Replies...Saw a similar sign on a railroad crossing near me. If I remember it correctly, it said the crossing would be closed for a day during 22. -26.06.25. I had to use the crossing trice in that time period, but never saw it closed. But in their defense- its the midsummer period here - when the time flows differently than usual.
Recommendation from the president of the United States.
Load More Replies...Yes. It will either work or I will be mauled. Either way, I got to pet a spicy kitty.
Load More Replies...Would probably work too. Animals are like humans - when you behave in ways they do not expect you to behave, it scares them. You could have rabies for as far as they know!
Load More Replies...I thought the sign would say this and I'm glad others thought alike
Load More Replies...I need a picture for the last box too. Accurate depiction please, I want to know my chances.
No chance really but you'll die fighting and your family will be proud of you
Load More Replies...Another good suggestion is " poke him in the eye." With what, my stump?
Go to YouTube. Look up "Carrot Juice is Murd3r" by 'The Arrogant Worms'.
Load More Replies...What am I reading here? I can't decipher it for the life of me.😵💫
The white house. Speaking of which, was the building named by s***e owners?
Load More Replies...Had to google it, had to know. The sign is very worn, but it is the logo for trimcek, Slavic sports recreation area. Cartoon smiling man with a little whirl in his chest and a very large nose. His feet have worn away on this sign. Website notes many of these recreation areas no longer exist, so perhaps only the worn sign remains.
"Disc Golf Course" but I like your interpretation better XD (The Caution is on there so people don't wander onto the course and get whanged in the head by a miniature frisbee)
Load More Replies...I'm guessing there was originally something printed in red in the large empty area, and it has faded away in the sunlight.
No longer identifies as a door, transitioning to wall. One may contribute to the GoFundMe account to get the hinges removed.
I've always loved that sign "This door is not to be opened under any circumstances" - on a rectangle painted on a brick wall ...
It's welded shut and there's no handle. I'm not sure the words add anything to the situation.
It resembles a door, and so probably needs the extra disclaimer to dissuade the fire inspector from labeling it as non-compliant.
Load More Replies...I see no problem on the pic. If i wanna drive west on 287, I would make a left turn to get there. Ut could cause a problem if I would travel in a car and could not look at it for to long. But if I missed anything, please give me an hint. 👍
Load More Replies...LOL this is just down the road from my office. NY state--the land of split second driving decisions.
If you're housebound, you're not driving anywhere, are you?
Load More Replies...Grey one is a male-male connector, the white one is a female-female connector. Globally they are known as a Bad Idea.
Load More Replies...What do you mean they don’t exist?? You’ve put them right there on your sign!
Yes! Also needs one with Genes *picture of parents*, and environment *pictures of your peers*. (But overall hope its fake/staged)
Load More Replies...Fake. "Parents Divorce" and "Actions" are at wrong angle and color compared to the rest of the sign.
No clackers , anyone old enough to recall those bloody dangerous things lol
That sign is telling you "this way to the clackers" not "no clackers"
Load More Replies...Ha! Nice. (Someone out there is going nuts with their down voting. Up vote from me. Have you picked up a troll?)
Load More Replies...Confirmed. Double connection standpipe symbol. But sure doesn't convey information unless you're already in the know. Like local firefighters would be, if this was the sign being employed.
Load More Replies...Gave me a black eye a few times, until my mother confiscated them.
Did anyone else get the names read out "push and When"? And they're accident lawyers... Lol
Perfectly normally to see loo roll and kitchen roll made of recycled paper in the UK.
My mother took some convincing that recycled toilet paper meant toilet paper that had been made from recycled paper, not toilet paper that had been recycled.
Load More Replies...I saw what you did there ... but I wish I hadn't ...
Load More Replies...I see nothing odd about these signs. The name could easily be 'Cheslea', and the arrows are not impossible or contradictory.
I liked “coffin dodging oxygen thief.” I always like new ways of describing my president.
Load More Replies...I liked “coffin dodging oxygen thief.” I always like new ways of describing my president.
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