Avid Bored Panda readers may remember the piece we did on the subreddit r/OldSchoolCool, where people share content from the past that still looks fantastic today. But now, we have something similar yet totally different for you — its weird "cousin" r/OldSchoolRidiculous.
Created back in December 2013, this online community is pretty much the same as its "relative", only it laughs at previous eras instead of celebrating them. The outdated stuff these folks feature varies from offensive social norms to tacky fashion trends but they all remind us of the irreversible passage of time.
This post may include affiliate links.
…where Do I Even Start?
“Fun For The Entire Family”
When it comes to describing their past, people tend to exaggerate. For example, parents who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s lie about their youth to make them seem cooler.
Research shows the most common fibs are that they were punks or goths or went to Glastonbury Festival or Ibiza before they became "too commercial."
They also claim to have been part of anti-Government protests or have been present at key sporting events.
Startled Bystander At The Annual Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, 1994
Prince Roller Skating On His Tennis Court At Home. Photo By Jeff Katz, 1989
Mister Merry’s Play Lighter
A survey of 2,000 British adults revealed 73 percent have lied about their pasts, with 30 percent doing so just to impress the younger generations.
Attending Live Aid, joining a youth sub-culture, and taking part in a political protest top the 1980s lie list.
An Undercover Police Officer On Duty. New York, Brooklyn, 1 July 1969. [855 X 1200]
![An Undercover Police Officer On Duty. New York, Brooklyn, 1 July 1969. [855 X 1200]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/6495440099f27_5l5hLQ5-png__700.jpg "An Undercover Police Officer On Duty. New York, Brooklyn, 1 July 1969. [855 X 1200]")
Lester Walker's Turniture II, 1970
A Striking Beauty, Postcard From Around 1908
Braniff Airlines Stewardess Uniforms, 1969
They look like henchwomen for some obscure Batman villain from the 60’s tv show.
Trips to Glastonbury or Ibiza, YBA art exhibitions, and edgy haircuts are most commonly lied about for those who grew up in the 1990s.
More than half of the people surveyed (57 percent) admit they weren't as cool as they make out, while some parents say they can't actually remember what they got up to.
Hair Done By Phillip Mason, 1965. Photo By Richard Blinkoff
Asbestos Shoveling Competition
This Ad In A 1968 Life Magazine
That is the neatest-dressed drug dealer i have ever seen. I would feel confident in buying drugs from him, if he cares that much about his business image.
Famous Architects Dressed As Their Buildings At An Architect Ball, 1931 (Names/Buildings In Comments)
In the picture above, we have from left to right: A. Stewart Walker as the Fuller Building (1929), Leonard Schultze as the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (1931) , Ely Jacques Kahn as the Squibb Building (1930), William Van Alen as the Chrysler Building (1930), Ralph Walker as 1 Wall Street (1931), D.E.Ward as the Metropolitan Tower and Joseph H. Freelander as the Museum of the City of New York (1930).
Interestingly, nearly a quarter admitted it was easier to lie before life was documented by social media and camera phones, but a fifth believed people would still try.
"Baby Cages" Were Window-Mounted Playpens That Were Once Used For Apartments To Ensure Babies Get Fresh Air, 1937
Children Car Seats In The 1940s
Gay Bob -- The World's First Gay Doll For Everyone!
Awww. I honestly love the spirit of this one. And frankly, the sentiment alone was waaaay ahead of its time. Happy pride everyone.
Burger King Am Radio With Burger Headphones. These Were Produced Exclusively For Radio Shack In 1983
However, one in two people revealed that at some point they were still caught out when telling a made-up or exaggerated story about the past. Which makes you wonder, could it have been someone who was featured on this subreddit?
Pure Luxury
Rain Goggles For Racing Car Driver. In An Open Car, The Fan Would Start Moving At About 15 Miles Per Hour, Putting The Tiny Wipers In Motion And Clearing The Water From The Lenses. England, 1930s
I have worn glasses since I was 12 (I come from a family that’s myopic on both sides). I would LOVE to have prescription rain glasses like this! I hate going out in the rain because I end up not being able to see clearly out of my glasses because of the raindrops. You would be amazed at how raindrops can affect your vision through glasses. It can sometimes get rather scary. So social rain glasses with wipers would be great. I could put my regular glasses in their case, and use these—-much like I do with my sunglasses.
Ladies, Dr. Swift Is Here To Massage Away Your Troubles From Neck To Knee (1850s)
How I Lost My Husband... And Won Him Back Again!
Despite the evidence of exaggeration, 41 percent said they believe their generation was cooler in its heyday than young people today. The coolest decade was voted to be the 1980s (27 percent).
Matching Outfits In 1952
Burnt Orange Carpeting In A Supermarket, 1970s. What The Hell Were They Thinking!
Martians And Venusians In A 1961 Episode Of TV Series The Twilight Zone
The Day My Kid Went Punk, Abc After-School Special (1987)
Why is Doc at home? Does the Love Boat have a broken propeller? EDIT: Incredibly, this silly joke about Doc from Love Boat has been downvoted at least twice. Edit#2: Now at 36 upvotes. Faith in humanity restored.
German Band Exmagma, Album Cover For Goldball, 1974
Du Pont Cellophane (1955)
Legend has it these babies are still a fresh and crisp as ever, nearly 70 years later!
The Establishment Wig, 1968
It's Lunch Time At The No Barriers Alligator Farm. Florida C1920s
Typical Redditor, Mid-1960s
The era when men considered themselves superior to women, yet they were unable to make themselves a sandwich.
Uncle & Nephew At Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, 1981
"Add a comment". As if a comment could conceivably be made about this.
The Scorpions, 1974
Eiderlon Panties (1970s)
Why was this ever said? Don’t think this following was ever uttered. They have a broken leg and arm but their panties are the best
The "Dog Sack" Invention, Which First Appeared In The June 1935 Issue Of Popular Mechanics
Paul Hogan Meeting Queen Elizabeth II (1980)
Bryn Owen Aged 17 With His Vespa Scooter, Which Has 34 Mirrors And 81 Lights On The Front And Back, All Bought With His Pocket Money, Leicestershire, England, 1983
Your Mum May Have Owned This
1939 Proposal To Identify Bad Drivers With A Special License Plate, Memphis Tennessee
Eat Ironized Yeast (1930s)
"Jesus Use Me"
This Really Requires No Explanation
This is not 'ridiculous'. I have DONE this. Except the holes were cut in the base of the stumps with a chain saw and we used electric primers instead of a lit fuse. But it's not like anyone came and cleared your fields for you. Around our (very old) farm you'd find empty dynamite boxes and blasting cap cans here and there. Back then they did it probably more like in this picture. There is nothing wrong with having a book to tell you how to do it properly.
Models Promoting Farm Fertilizer, 1956
They are literally the bomb. But seriously this is some deeply sexist nonsense.
Attractive models have always been used in advertising and promotions. Helps sell things.
I grew up in a farming community, and I don't recall any farmer refusing to buy fertilizer because the company didn't promote it a sexy way.
What I really like was some of the flour companies realised people were making their kids clothes out of the flour sacks so they started printing nice patterns on them. It's simultaneously a nice thing to do and a brilliant marketing move.
I'm glad I never saw this ad; my childhood would've been corrupted till I don't know when.
I've always thought that there was a close relationship between beauty pageants and fertilizer.
The Presto Whip Building In Dearborn, Michigan, 1976
The executives must have been paid well with all the Cadillacs out front
Space Age Fashion By André Courrèges, 1960s
Scott Tissues (1940s)
How... How Do You Begin To Eat This?
Sun Tan Pills (1970s)
Eastern Airlines (1967)
"After You Put On The Old Feedbag, You'll Be Glad You're Wearing Slim & Slender Control-Top Pantyhose." - 1971
Du Pont Cellophane (1955)
Note: this post originally had 146 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
These are great! Funny, fascinating, insightful and occasionally shocking. We need more posts like this instead of stupid personal family crisis from Reddit.
A lot of these weren't really typical of the times. Before we get too condescending we should think about what people in the future will say about us.
i mean, i hope they will be horrified. progress means improvement, and i hope we progress from where we are today.
Load More Replies...
In the 80s at least if someone wanted to make out they did that. Interesting times. Was gross but still
Load More Replies... 
From reading these I’d say the past sucked majorly and thank God it produced feminists.
The '60s and '70s weren't a perfect time, but they were in many ways infinitely better than the crapsack world we live in today.
Load More Replies...
The matching outfits is still done in Korea, at Jeju Island. It's the honeymoon capital of Korea. Those couples are adorable and dorky 😀
I was born in 1943, so theoretically, I was alive for most of that junk!! How did I miss it???
The 80s were a fun time to grow up. The story is pretty interesting as well. I never considered people fibbing about their childhood. I can honestly say I was a metal head throughout the 80s. I went to gazaris on the strip a few times, concerts all the time. Had the tee shirts that I wish I still had, the spikes, so cal in the 80s was a music paradise. I had to throw in punk and alternative to broaden my view. Still have pictures of me and my friends. Good times.
Douching with LYSOL?! I bet that’s still popular somewhere… but just… WOW.
These are great! Funny, fascinating, insightful and occasionally shocking. We need more posts like this instead of stupid personal family crisis from Reddit.
A lot of these weren't really typical of the times. Before we get too condescending we should think about what people in the future will say about us.
i mean, i hope they will be horrified. progress means improvement, and i hope we progress from where we are today.
Load More Replies... In the 80s at least if someone wanted to make out they did that. Interesting times. Was gross but still
Load More Replies... From reading these I’d say the past sucked majorly and thank God it produced feminists.
The '60s and '70s weren't a perfect time, but they were in many ways infinitely better than the crapsack world we live in today.
Load More Replies... The matching outfits is still done in Korea, at Jeju Island. It's the honeymoon capital of Korea. Those couples are adorable and dorky 😀
I was born in 1943, so theoretically, I was alive for most of that junk!! How did I miss it???
The 80s were a fun time to grow up. The story is pretty interesting as well. I never considered people fibbing about their childhood. I can honestly say I was a metal head throughout the 80s. I went to gazaris on the strip a few times, concerts all the time. Had the tee shirts that I wish I still had, the spikes, so cal in the 80s was a music paradise. I had to throw in punk and alternative to broaden my view. Still have pictures of me and my friends. Good times.
Douching with LYSOL?! I bet that’s still popular somewhere… but just… WOW.
