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 The outdated stuff these folks feature varies from offensive social norms to tacky fashion trends but they all remind us of the irreversible passage of time.
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…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
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)
Such Portability!
Not ridiculous, just the technology of the times. Years from now, people will message each other via their neural implants that cellphones were ridiculous.
Free For Chubbies (Lane Bryant, 1960s)
The Colossal Dog Ear Collar! [1967]
![The Colossal Dog Ear Collar! [1967]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/649545c42853c_48lw5ks5spwa1__700.jpg "The Colossal Dog Ear Collar! [1967]")
In The Victorian Era, Men Used Special “Moustache Cups” To Protect Their ‘Staches While Drinking Hot Tea
Water Skiing Witches, 1950′s
Better Midler, Kathy Najimi, and Sarah Jessica Parker on vacation.
" The Drunk Basket" In The 1960s, Bars In Istanbul Woud Hire Someone To Carry Drunk People Back To Their Home
Imagine being the wife at home receiving said drunk husband
Cigarette Holder For Nudists, 1938
These Old Wife Beaters Making Excuses For Themselves
The Cone Bra Corset Dress From Jean Paul Gaultier Fw 1984 Photographed By Peter Lindbergh
1978 Unisex Hair Style
Peter Lockwood, 15, Of Downer, Canberra, At Home With His 16 Month Old Wombat Polly And His Fully Grown Black Swamp Wallaby Mr. Willoughby. 1964
Ladies' Jumpsuit Sewing Pattern, 90s
IDK about now.... But this pattern was still available in the mid 90s
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They look like Mormon genies. You get three wishes, as long as they are boring.
I think this was actually mid-80s when lace collars were in style. You could buy the collars separately, and wear them with anything, as one most certainly should.
Those actually came out in the late 80's I remember girls at school wearing them. I was too busy looking punk rock lol
Why did they split the skirt and make pants out of a Sunday school dress?
I saw a woman wearing pants like that last night. Looked gorgeous. But without those table napkins over the shoulders, though.
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Awwww… my mom made a ton of my clothes in the 70’s and this brings back all the feels. We would go to the fabric store, I’d pick out a pattern and she’d make it.
I remember these babyish abominations. They should’ve been sold in the store selling diapers for short skirts.
Didn't Princess Diana wear a dress with a similar collar when she introduced little Prince William to the world?
Gosh, I checked on Etsy AND eBay and it wasn’t available? What shall I do?
I had one of these in the late 80s and freaking loved it at the time.
Leave Em In The Car!
Common occurrence in the 60s. My dad wouldn't even leave the radio on.
Poison Ivy And Lux Interior (Of The Cramps) Were Incredibly Awesome... But Also A Bit Ridiculous (1986)
That Awkward Stage For "Hair Bands" Who Were Transitioning From The Glam Rock Era Of The 70s Into Their Newer And More Commercial 80s Incarnations (Twisted Sister, C. 1980)
Fashion, Winter 1966
Dressing Up For The Locker Room [1970]
![Dressing Up For The Locker Room [1970]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/649546aecd6c9_y7sqa22j85m91__700.jpg "Dressing Up For The Locker Room [1970]")
Sugar
Jack Milford, Player With The Wembley Monarchs Ice Hockey Team, Invented A Carrying Device So That His Baby Can Join His Wife And Himself On The Ice, 1937
Miss Idaho Potato 1935
'fill 'Er Up' - Advert For Turkish Petrol Company -1960
From The 1975 Target Australia Catalog
But all the shorts in shops are now that length. I can't find ones that cut off just below the knee anywhere and above the knee shorts look like I've stolen them from a schoolboy. Maybe I'm just too old now. [/rant]
Idk If It’s Already Been Posted, But *john Wayne* Plays Genghis Khan In The 1956 Movie *the Conquerer*
Tbf, this kind of casting was normal. For all types of non white roles, Hollywood typically hired white actors and actresses and then applied makeup to give some sort of ethnic appearance.
Lysol For Feminine Hygiene (1939)
He Won't Stop Breaking Wind
What A Deal!
A "Punt Gun" Used To Hunt Waterfowl. These Weapons Are Characteristically Too Large For An Individual To Fire From The Shoulder Or Often Carry Alone. This Particular Model Was Banned Because It Was Too Effective. Photo Taken In The Early 1900s
Lesser Known Mascots, Ihop's Miss Blueberry 1987
Bride And Groom In Lake, Circa 1982
This Crimping Iron That Makes Shapes In Your Hair
An Idea Of What Beatlemania Was Like
My brother has a pair of vintage Beatles Wing Dings sneakers still in the box.
Invention Of Cars Turns Women Into Tramps, Circa 1924
You can see her KNEES! She's not good enough for a nice, God-fearing young man.
"Sugar's Got What It Takes" Sugar Information, Inc 1960's
In The 1950s, There Was A Contest To Choose The Person With The Best Spine In An Orthopedic Conference In Chicago, USA. X-Rays Showed That These Three Women Won The Award For The Best Standing Position
This Christmas, Get That Special Lady In Your Life An Ironing Board (1963)
Listerine Shaving Cream Ad (1944)
Astonishing Mrs Highfield! Married At 15, Up To 6 Kids At 22. [1953]
![Astonishing Mrs Highfield! Married At 15, Up To 6 Kids At 22. [1953]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/64954dda3953e_bzaffuig6u3b1-png__700.jpg "Astonishing Mrs Highfield! Married At 15, Up To 6 Kids At 22. [1953]")
1953, was that before condoms were invented? She's only 22 but after 6 kids she looks 52.
This Lucky Strike Cigarettes Ad From 1931
They're literally admitting its bad for you, but saying "lesser of evil"
"Even A Lady Could Learn To Like Soft Whiskey. It's Not Hard." - Calvert Extra [1965]
!["Even A Lady Could Learn To Like Soft Whiskey. It's Not Hard." - Calvert Extra [1965]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/649544f018093_AeYOitz-png__700.jpg "\"Even A Lady Could Learn To Like Soft Whiskey. It's Not Hard.\" - Calvert Extra [1965]")
A Vidal Sassoon Hairstyle From The 1960s
I figured out who she reminds me of: Judy Carne from the old 1960's Laugh-In TV show. https://www.tvinside...arne-scaled.jpg
Working Model Of A Lunar Suit For Moon Exploration Demonstrating Tools That Could Be Substituted For The Suit’s Standard Gloved Hands, 1960
Saw This On Youtube And Had To Share
Jayne Mansfield In Her Pink Mansion’s Bathroom
1940s Puffed Rice Ad
Was This A Common Way To Dress Your Bridesmaids Back In The Day?
Uncover Tulsa Police Officers Used To Entice Muggers. 1953
Dancers Costumed As Electrical Appliances At The Los Angeles Electrical Age Exposition In 1936
My Mom Sent Me This
Who Is Madam Raga? (1909)
nobodies gonna comment on the arm sticking out of her skirt? WTF is up with that?
Brighton Swimming Club, 1863
Pet Rocks!
Abba Looking Very Abba-Like During A 1974 Photo Shoot In Brussels. These Costumes Would Show Up In Many Early Live Performances And In The “Ring Ring” Music Video
I remember reading they wore outrageous costumes because the way swedish tax law is written, only clothes that you wouldn't wear anywhere but onstage could be deductible on your taxes.
Hairstyle In Tampa, Florida, 1985
Showgirl With A Stuffed Bird In A Cage On Her Hindquarters At The Latin Quarter Nightclub, New York, 1952
Hairstyles From The 70s
Anti- Mini Skirt, 1966
Now, I remember us girls wearing shorts under our mini skirts in junior high in the early seventies, because adolescent boys always tried to see under our skirts—-what’s really infuriating about it is they’d try it in class when we were at the blackboard, and the f*****g teachers never stopped them!
Diagram Of A Drug Abuser (1972)
Quaalude-300 (1971)
At Home With A Braun Astronette Hair Dryer, Circa 1972
A Woman Wearing A Special Mask For Fighting Depression, Budapest, 1937
United Airlines Boeing 747 First Class Flight Attendant Attire - 1970
OK, it's 1970, so we can make allowances for just about everything in this picture. Except that jacket.
Costume Party. October 31, 1919
“Lucky Tiger Gets The Gals” (1960s)
in the '50s I used Butch Wax to make my flattop (a haircut) stand up...fashion
Get You A Road Dog
I’ll Have What He’s Having, Melbourne, Australia, Circa 1979 (Photographed By David Wadelton)
That hair, those pants...1970s, yes, but i think more like 1974. (How about those pants, huh?)
Master Foods, Australia, 1968
The “Michelin Band” Performs At The Inauguration Of The Michelin Hour Radio Show, April 17, 1928
One large communal thought-bubble: "I am not getting paid enough for this s**t".
Buster The Roller Skating Rooster, Los Angeles, 1957
There is nothing more elegant than a rollerskating feathered dinosaur
Auto Strap For Front Seat Tots, 1961 Sears Catalog
Well, it offers a better chance than the alternative. Which was 'nothing'.
Ww1 Experimental Camouflage ~ 1917
Women At A Watermelon Eating Contest At Grimsby Park (Grimsby, Ontario 1890's)
Japan, 3 Pm On Some Day In 1966
German Cookbook Offering Bananas Wrapped In Pickled Herring, 1963
You Can Never Have Too Much Glamor
If this is 'glamor' then regular food must have tasted like raw potato skins.
Back In The 60's They Put Pictures Of Kids And Their Addresses In The Back Of Comic Books
Crisco Shortening - It's Digestable! (1955)
Mickey Mouse Gas Mask Meant To Put Children At Ease In An Emergency Situation, 1942
La Parle Obesity Soap (1903)
The Jayne Mansfield Shaped Hot Water Bottle. Delightful!
And i bet it looked as much like Jayne as does a rubber chicken.
Sausage For Zion
A Peanut Vendor Wearing A Suit Made Of Peanuts [1890]
![A Peanut Vendor Wearing A Suit Made Of Peanuts [1890]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/64954dbac18f3_cgp5lyveblpa1__700.jpg "A Peanut Vendor Wearing A Suit Made Of Peanuts [1890]")
What A Spot For A Picnic! Yes, It's The Parking Lot Of Your Local 7-11, 1965
Asparagus Group From Miss Gatchell's Pageant, Lee County Alabama, April 16, 1925
Beef Broth On The Rocks (1960)
Connie Blake From Bassett, Nebraska Was "Miss Stock Grower" Of 1969
Where To Begin? My Aunt's Hair... [late 80s]
![Where To Begin? My Aunt's Hair... [late 80s]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/64954f15c5eed_f8sjhgb12ja61__700.jpg "Where To Begin? My Aunt's Hair... [late 80s]")
If You Must Smoke While Wearing Your Influenza Mask, 1919
What the funk is even the point of the mask then, if you’re going to cut a hole in it for a cigarette? Some people never change.
The Big Mac Hat! (Mcdonald’s Translite Sign, 1984). Courtesy Of Consumer Time Capsule On Twitter
I would wear this. But, only at gunpoint. And i mean a decent gun, .38 or bigger. I'll risk a hit from anything smaller.
Carl & Ida Krone Strolling Through Berlin With Their Pet Cheetah (1924)
Super Cool Tshirt Designs 1976
If these are the super-cool ones, then i don't want to see the s**tty ones. Or maybe i do.
That's Gonna Be A No From Me
Goofy name. But it was actually similar to a Snickers. Chocolate, nougat, peanuts and caramel. Discontinued in 1962.
Debutantes Arriving At Ball, Laredo, Texas, 1994
Miss Unsafe Brakes From The 1939 Chicago Auto Show
Hickeys And Eyeliner, County Fair Portrait, Circa 1978, Photo By Mikkel Aaland
American Entertainer Garry Moore Trying Out A Special Contraption For Smoking To Forestall Burning Bedclothes Should He Fall Asleep With The Cigarette Still Lit, 1953
Mickey Rooney As "Mr. Yunioshi" In The 1961 Movie, Breakfast At Tiffany's
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.
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In the 80s at least if someone wanted to make out they did that. Interesting times. Was gross but still
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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.
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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.
