Hmmm. Hmmm? Hmmm! Allow us to introduce you to r/hmmm, a popular online community on Reddit that boasts over 1.8 million members, who call themselves internet aesthetes, and search the world wide web for artistic, meaningful, odd, and obscure photos. ‘Hmmm’ (technically written with a lowercase ‘h’) is the sound of deep thinking as you contemplate the weirdness of out-of-context internet pics. And we’ve collected some of the most bizarre ones to share with you, Pandas.
They’re stranger than strange, some to the point of hilarity, and they’ll likely make you go ‘hmmm’ as you look at them, trying to guess the story behind the elaborate images. It’s time to put your imaginations into overdrive, so get ready to have a good laugh and put your minds to use.
Bored Panda reached out to the team behind the r/hmmm subreddit. The head moderator, CosmicKeys, was happy to shed some light on the community and what it stands for. "The idea for /r/hmmm was to create a highly curated subreddit with a quality bar where all the pictures are interesting, meaningful, aesthetic, and shine a light on how random image culture on the internet had become its own genre of art. I think we are popular because we maintain this quality bar," they told me that high quality and a focus on aesthetics are both vital to the long-term success of the subreddit.
They also revealed the reason why each and every photo on the subreddit has the title 'hmmm.' "The titles are all 'hmmm' because it means you can experience the image without someone forcing their personal interpretation onto it in the form of a title. Whether it's funny or sad is up to you to determine. It is also about purity. In order for your post to go through, you need to submit to a rigid tradition. People willing to do that generally care enough to post excellent content."
Scroll down for our full interview with the head moderator, as well as with author and comedy expert Ariane Sherine, who gave her take on bizarre images that lack context.
As you scroll down, remember to upvote the pics that you liked the most. Got any wacky theories about what’s going on in each one? Share your thoughts about them in the comments. If you’re in the mood for some more photos that will raise the bar for what you find peculiar, then you’ll definitely want to check out Bored Panda’s previous articles about the r/hmmm community right over here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
Hmmm
thats why he hasn't returned, he's been waiting for the cat to get off his lap
The head moderator, CosmicKeys, revealed that even though the r/hmmm subreddit was technically created in 2008, we should consider its real founding date to be 2016. "/r/hmmm was founded in 2016 by users from snoonet irc. It was technically created in 2008, but had no activity up until that point, so 2016 is the real creation date," they told Bored Panda.
CosmicKeys said that they'd add new content to the subreddit every day. "I would post daily pictures while chat was going for people to laugh at oddities from different corners of the internet. That grew into a large collection, so /r/hmmm was born. The name comes from a thread that would appear occasionally on 4chan, and the content was inspired by a website called spaceghetto," they shared the inspiration for the subreddit as a whole.
According to the moderator, some images tend to be excluded if the idea behind them becomes far too popular. Face swaps are a good example of this. "The subreddit is about obscure and strange images, so over time as certain types of images have gone from obscure to popular we've made rules to exclude them," CosmicKeys shared.
British comedy expert and comedy writer Ariane, from London, told Bored Panda that, generally speaking, the more bizarre something is, the more we’re likely to chuckle, giggle, and laugh about it.
“The weirder and more surprising the photo, the more likely it is to make us laugh,” she said that the weirdness catches us unaware and we instinctively end up laughing.
“I tend to laugh the most at animals pulling human expressions while doing crazy things!” she opened up.
Hmmm
Anyone else hearing the Mission Impossible music in their head whilst looking at this one?
Hmmm
I spoke to Ariane about the role that context plays in comedy. In her opinion, humor is instantaneous. Context only becomes vital when there’s such a stunning lack of it that it starts to infringe on our ability to get the joke. If the audience doesn’t find the photo or situation relatable at all, they might end up asking for more information to get the joke. And that can harm the comedic effect.
“Context is important only if we’re unlikely to get a joke otherwise, as I think the sooner we get a joke, the funnier we find it,” Ariane told Bored Panda. “If it takes us a while then that initial shock and surprise is delayed and so we’re less likely to laugh and more likely to go ‘oh, I get it now!’”
In short, this means that even though the photos from r/hmmm quite obviously lack context, they also seem to have enough of it available to make us laugh. We can relate to the photos on some level. Well, at least to most of them.
Hmmm
I like that. We should have more accurate mannequins for women too ;)
Hmmm
I was also curious about Ariane’s opinion on whether we’re born with comedic talent or if it’s a skill like any other. To be developed, nourished, and honed. In her view, it’s both.
“Some people are born with funny bones, but those who aren’t so lucky could watch a lot of great standup comedy and try to emulate the timing and pace,” Ariane suggested how we can develop our sense of humor and comedic timing. “There are also some excellent comedy courses available online.”
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
According to Urban Dictionary, ‘hmmm’ is the sound made by those who are “in the act of thinking.” However, fellow internet users, note the number of m’s there. There are, in fact, 3. ‘Hmmm,’ therefore, “represents more thinking than hmm, but significantly less cranial activity than hmmmm.”
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
The subreddit, stresses the fact that all titles have to be ‘hmmm,’ all in lowercase. Yes, absolutely every post shared on the sub has the same title. It’s as bizarre a rule as many of the photos themselves. Do we love it? You betcha! This is the sort of quirky stuff that the internet was made for.
The moderators of r/hmmm also ask their members not to post any memes, mashups, or drawings. They might be funny and make us go r/hmmm, but the subreddit is for real-life situations only. Oh, and if you’ve got a gif instead of a photo to share, they’ve got their own separate subreddit for them called r/hmmmgifs right over here.
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Know Your Meme explains that the r/hmmm subreddit “remained relatively dormant” until mid-February of 2017. A photo of a man with a pack of Pitbulls wearing sunglasses went viral and put the entire community on the map. And no wonder, the photo really does make you go ‘hmmm,’ as you wonder what the ever-loving heck is going on there. Ever since then, r/hmmm has been a thriving community. And we hope that’ll continue. In a world where information is readily available at our fingertips, it’s a real luxury to look at a photo and stand, confused, wondering what exactly is happening.
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
For the kind of drivers that also plow into snow figures and tidy lawns.
Hmmm
Hopefully followed by the realization that there's way more of them then you
Load More Replies...I seriously hope this is just a history lesson. But the fact that it is on a flag pole, and not being shown e.g. on a computer screen, makes me concerned.
It is a Civil War battle reenactment for educational purposes.
Load More Replies...Anyone else want to set fire to that flag? Besides the kids, and me, I mean?
I got matches. The real flag of the Confederacy is the white flag they waved at the end.
Load More Replies...At least the kid in the foreground is smart enough to look concerned.
There's a white kid with his mouth open in shock as well
Load More Replies...The man holding the flag is wearing period costume, which would suggest that this is part of a historical education event. The flag at the back is difficult to see and my first instinct was that it could be the Bonnie Blue, but the slight circular shape of the white and the possibility of a hint of red (the red might not actually be present and could be a result of light) makes me think that it is probably a regiment or division flag.
Smithsonian Magazine published an article called The Cost of the Confederacy that included this photograph. This photo was taken at Fall Muster, an annual Civil War battle re-enactment held in Beauville at Biloxi, Mississippi. These fourth graders from D’Iberville elementary school are listening to Jim Huffman, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, talk about the 1863 battle flag of the Army of Tennessee. Long considered a stronghold of white supremists, Beauville is viewed as a shrine to the Confederate Lost Cause.
Load More Replies...Unfortunately it is not just the South, I live in Maine and see people with these flags on cars and houses. I just see it as an advertisement of being a de-evolved human.
Load More Replies...“And do you see this flag, children? Together we’re going to tear it to shreds and throw it on the bonfire tonight!” or “This is the great shame of our nation,” are the only two acceptable things the adults in that photo should be saying.
Well you have to inform people about all of history. Not just the pretty parts
Inform but not celebrate or glorify, which happens all too often
Load More Replies...It's a Civil War reenactment. See my other post in this conversation.
Load More Replies...After reading many replies, a reminder to not judge on a vision & thin air. It is important to seek truths, to learn from history, to not repeat the tragedies of the past.
interesting how so many here in the US are obsessed with "educating".... you dont see this kind of crap everywhere. theres no nazi reenactors waiving swastikas around. They understand the power of symbolism. Well, so do we, we just continue to allow hatred and racism, so that many can pretend it doesnt exist.
But people did and do "make it something ", that's the problem
Load More Replies...Not as much as it should have. Not sufficient progress
Load More Replies...I really don’t know what’s that flag for. Can anyone explain?
Even as an American, this confuses me. I have always thought this flag to be racist. This is what I found when I looked it up. The actual Confederate States of America was a repressive state devoted to white supremacy. The Confederates built an explicitly white-supremacist, pro-slavery, and antidemocratic nation-state, dedicated to the principle that all men are not created equal. ...Jun 21, 2020 https://www.theatlantic.com › 2020/06
Load More Replies...Notice the fat waddler holding the flag. Kid, on right, thinking, something may be going wrong.
Considering the title of this article, what, exactly, is funny about this photo?
Ha! Throwback to my southern childhood. “Ain’t this about a b**ch?”
Is there a population elsewhere that promulgates their historical loss as much as American rednecks do? Is this just a dumbass American problem?
Some kids just look oblivious, then there are a few that have that WTF is this bull look on their faces lol
In the hope for historical accuracy in a teaching environment, that is THE WRONG FREKIN' FLAG!
Damn dude, those kids are just NOT having it (understandably so). "Up with this, I will not put!"
Especially the one young man on the right looking at the camera as if to ask "Is he for real?"
The expression on the girl in pink pants. This girl knows what's right and what's just WRONG
🤦🏻♀️ Not a single single child of color looks at all pleased to be where they are.
Believe it or not, all those children can be in some school somewhere (including Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana) where they would learn about the confederacy.
There's one kid in the background smiling while the rest of the kids look angry, confused, or disgusted. There's always one.
Probably one that teaches children about history
Load More Replies...What's wrong with the picture? The little boy on the left is not singing the Star Spangled Banner.
This is just so gross. So much hate, so much hubris and self centered energy associated with this symbol. I've got the match, let's make this idiocy burn.
Thomas ES Thomas, this is the flag of slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, and now Trump. That's hatred, plain and simple.
It is the flag flown at "Unite the RIght" in 2017. Let's hear again how it's about "history" .... NOPE!
Load More Replies...That's an awful lot of pride for having lost the war.
Load More Replies...Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
I don't see anything wrong here. Just a teen (not) enjoying their birthday.
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Crocs may not be a good fashion choice but she has every right to wear them
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
That's Gossamer the monster so Bugs Bunny will be showing up soon
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
How marketing strategically avoided blackface. Well played, marketing.
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
Hmmm
What the... I had to return to the post to confirm this! I didn't notice!
Load More Replies...Some posts in here were pretty cool, some interesting, and some that makes me understand why aliens hover over earth, then decide "Nah" and leave.
It would be great if people stop posting anything with the Confederate flag Hitler or guns. They've had enough commercialization as it is
Have you ever played Quiplash with a bunch people? Often people will just type the first obvious response. Sometimes it isn't even a joke. It is just a cliche or a catchphrase or some meme punchline. But then it gets all the votes because the other people are just excited to recognize the line. I get reminded of that every time I look at the top voted comments on this site.
Lithuanians have a very twisted and lovely way of seeing life. Aciu Bored Panda!
46 looks like a Breaking Bad convention so not exactly hmmm that a bunch of bald guys dressed up as Walter White.
Why are they all called 'Hmmm'? literally all of them. Capital H and 3 ms
What the... I had to return to the post to confirm this! I didn't notice!
Load More Replies...Some posts in here were pretty cool, some interesting, and some that makes me understand why aliens hover over earth, then decide "Nah" and leave.
It would be great if people stop posting anything with the Confederate flag Hitler or guns. They've had enough commercialization as it is
Have you ever played Quiplash with a bunch people? Often people will just type the first obvious response. Sometimes it isn't even a joke. It is just a cliche or a catchphrase or some meme punchline. But then it gets all the votes because the other people are just excited to recognize the line. I get reminded of that every time I look at the top voted comments on this site.
Lithuanians have a very twisted and lovely way of seeing life. Aciu Bored Panda!
46 looks like a Breaking Bad convention so not exactly hmmm that a bunch of bald guys dressed up as Walter White.
Why are they all called 'Hmmm'? literally all of them. Capital H and 3 ms