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Communication is about clarity. The more muddled the message—the more confusion you’re bound to see on the reader’s face. When it comes to the signs you see in public, you normally expect all of them to be brief, precise, and informative. Alas! Nothing could be farther from the truth. Far from everyone’s a pro when it comes to writing and advertising skills, and the ‘Useless, Unsuccessful, and/or Unpopular Signage’ Facebook group is proof enough.

An online group bringing together nearly 191k members, the UUU Signage project has been around since November 2014. Since then, it has collected a vast archive of some of the very worst and funniest signs to be found on Planet Earth. We’re featuring a selection of the very best ones, so go on, have a scroll and a glance. Don’t forget to upvote the signs that made you laugh and made you more confused than you expected, and if you’re a fan, go ahead and join the UUU Signage group.

I had a friendly chat about the most important things when making a sign—any sign—with Lisa McLendon. She is the William Allen White Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications and the coordinator of the Bremner Editing Center at the University of Kansas. You'll find the insights she shared with Bored Panda below, dear Readers.

Remember… keep it simple—keep it short—keep it clear.

#1

I Didn't See A Cat Going Out But I Did Observe A Walrus Sashay Towards The Door

I Didn't See A Cat Going Out But I Did Observe A Walrus Sashay Towards The Door

Kori A Butler Report

Toea Muresan Iulia
Community Member
5 years ago

this is cute!

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    #2

    This Is The Kind Of Secret Doctors Don't Want You To Know

    This Is The Kind Of Secret Doctors Don't Want You To Know

    Samuel Maffit Report

    Alexia
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Hahaaa, that was good. I have my hair dyed in shades of purple and turquoise, which is pretty eye-catching. I once went to a hospital to get some papers, and had to wait in line for access. Several people were staring at my cheerful hair. I was tempted to tell them "It's the covid vaccine, this is what happens if you get vaccinated." :))) I refrained, though. Some people are prone to believe anything... except science. (I'm fully vaccinated.)

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    #3

    I Honked

    I Honked

    Andrew Shanks Report

    troufaki13
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    HONK!!!

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    #4

    On The Community Noticeboard At My Local Shops

    On The Community Noticeboard At My Local Shops

    Sarah Strahan Report

    Dwight k schrute.
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    *Takes a "I have now" *

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    #5

    An Employee Caught Me Taking This Pic And Said “Ah Yes, Another One Of Our Many Exciting Deals!”

    An Employee Caught Me Taking This Pic And Said “Ah Yes, Another One Of Our Many Exciting Deals!”

    Lauren Carrigan Report

    troufaki13
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Hurry before the offer ends!

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    #6

    Make Good Choices

    Make Good Choices

    Kate Anderson Report

    HardTruths
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    What if I want to leave it to chance? Halfway? 🤣

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    #7

    Lmao You Go Girl

    Lmao You Go Girl

    Ashley Rosado Report

    Toea Muresan Iulia
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    ha? not getting it.

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    #8

    Yeahhhhh Right

    Yeahhhhh Right

    Stephanie Croshaw Report

    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Me thinks this is intentional sarcasm.

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    #9

    Someone Had Enough

    Someone Had Enough

    Samantha Tame Report

    CatWoman312
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    So chopsticks is okay

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    #10

    I’ve Been Called Many Things In Life. But This Is A First

    I’ve Been Called Many Things In Life. But This Is A First

    Cailey Bisgould Report

    the child
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    that's enough identity crises for one day

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    #11

    I've Never Seen A Bumper Sticker I Wanted More

    I've Never Seen A Bumper Sticker I Wanted More

    Melissa Anne Report

    Pearl
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Me too, buddy. Me too.

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    #12

    Well That Escalated Quickly

    Well That Escalated Quickly

    Chyleigh Harmon Report

    May
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Well clearly if God exists he's an absolute d**k, can't help you with the engine thing - something about combustion?

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    #13

    When You've Had Enough Of Your Man

    When You've Had Enough Of Your Man

    Kelly Sedlak Report

    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    Hey, the sign is very informative and direct. I would like to sell a neighbor who plays loud music all day long and smokes weed. He is a bit banged up and rusty, but not too shabby.

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    #14

    I Have A Bad Feeling About This Rest Stop Bathroom

    I Have A Bad Feeling About This Rest Stop Bathroom

    Anna Hicks Report

    NsG
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    The S is upside down as well and it's bothering me

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    #15

    The Mechanic Left This In My Girlfriend's Car After Being Serviced... The Car Is Still Dirty

    The Mechanic Left This In My Girlfriend's Car After Being Serviced... The Car Is Still Dirty

    Michael Dylan Faas Report

    WilvanderHeijden
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    My garage doesn't even service dirty cars like this. You'll get a note saying that Dutch labor laws do not allow people to work in a contaminated area without protective gear and proper training. Because none of their mechanics qualify, they couldn't service the car.

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Found Some Paperless Towels At Walmart Today. What Will They Think Of Next?

    Found Some Paperless Towels At Walmart Today. What Will They Think Of Next?

    Hansen Murphy Report

    Rose the Cook
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Wow, great new invention.

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    #17

    Please Don’t Follow Anybody Home

    Please Don’t Follow Anybody Home

    Shravan Sunil Report

    Brian Bennett
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    In depth instruction for perversion!

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    #18

    This Was A Couple Years Ago...and I Know What They Meant But... Still

    This Was A Couple Years Ago...and I Know What They Meant But... Still

    Dave Brideau Report

    May
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    At least they're honest about it, unlike some other denominations

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    #19

    Just Press Three 333 Times

    Just Press Three 333 Times

    Nigel Champion Report

    Hugh Willie Mungous
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    That's BT for you!

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    #20

    I Don’t Even Know

    I Don’t Even Know

    David Bjorklund Report

    Chris Wade
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    lmao I don't even get the joke or who that man is but it's so stupid it cracked me up hahaha

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    #21

    Oh No

    Oh No

    Vivian Minus Report

    May
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    At least they're also self aware

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    #22

    Pfantastic Signage

    Pfantastic Signage

    Aaron Schiff Report

    Downunderdude
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Well, pfuck me.

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    #23

    Um... I Guess?

    Um... I Guess?

    Caleb Hilston Report

    Shazz Winchester
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    That's a bit mean! But they're not wrong

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    #24

    Whatever Gets Them In Therapy I Guess?

    Whatever Gets Them In Therapy I Guess?

    Robin Caligiure Report

    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I briefly mistook “hippies” for “nipples”

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    #25

    Is This The New Saying Now?? Mandela Effect?

    Is This The New Saying Now?? Mandela Effect?

    Taylor Mcclelland Report

    Brian Bennett
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Buckle up Butter cup does this sound familiar?

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    #26

    Do Not Teach Fish Man He Will Destroy Us All

    Do Not Teach Fish Man He Will Destroy Us All

    Hunter Kinder Report

    Caro Caro
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Give to fish, he life, take to man to day!

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    #27

    "We Gave It A Second Thought And Decided That You Guys Suck"

    "We Gave It A Second Thought And Decided That You Guys Suck"

    Rachel Mower Report

    beastmachine.
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Ohhhhhkkkkkkk...

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    #28

    Spotted At A Local Dollar Tree A Few Years Ago

    Spotted At A Local Dollar Tree A Few Years Ago

    Kerri Kay Report

    Brian Bennett
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    But we shall leave them exposed and put a danger sign on them?

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    #29

    This Was In Front Of My Town Hall For A Couple Weeks Before Anyone Realized And It’s My Favorite Thing To Ever Happen Here

    This Was In Front Of My Town Hall For A Couple Weeks Before Anyone Realized And It’s My Favorite Thing To Ever Happen Here

    Ariel Sullivan Report

    Brian Bennett
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I don't know where you live but our summer is shitty!

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    #30

    No Thanks

    No Thanks

    Kerri Saterfield Report

    Julie C Rose
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Is it at the entrance to a red state?

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    #31

    Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation Trying To Be Relatable

    Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation Trying To Be Relatable

    Evan Waite Report

    the child
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is down with the kids

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    #32

    Typical Capitalism. Manufactured Scarcity

    Typical Capitalism. Manufactured Scarcity

    Miles Izzo Report

    Trillian
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Social distancing for insects also

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    #33

    Are You Speaking From Experience, Sir?

    Are You Speaking From Experience, Sir?

    Vera Bruursema Report

    Brian Bennett
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    And what has it done to your brain my ball less man!

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    #34

    We Don’t Pay A Living Wage, But Work Is Work Right. This Is A Circle K By The Way

    We Don’t Pay A Living Wage, But Work Is Work Right. This Is A Circle K By The Way

    Kevin Laviolette Report

    Caro Caro
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Maybe try to find tall staff and then pay them a living wage you twits.

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    #35

    Baa Baa Black.. Clam?

    Baa Baa Black.. Clam?

    Howard Davies Report

    Rose the Cook
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Cute cakes.

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    #36

    This Has Big "I Think Dogs Should Vote" Vibes

    This Has Big "I Think Dogs Should Vote" Vibes

    Jessica Kracoff Report

    Watching
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    If dogs could vote in America, we know who they *wouldn't* vote for.

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    #37

    No Touching Vaggies

    No Touching Vaggies

    Catherine Robertson Report

    Phoebe Carter
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    "Working togeher" and "stay carlm"... who wrote this?

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    #38

    When You Want To Insult The Customer But Have To Be Politically Correct

    When You Want To Insult The Customer But Have To Be Politically Correct

    Nicole Eckstrom Report

    Luka Verheijen
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    Don't you hate it when a sentence doesn't end the way you octopus

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    #39

    Okay

    Okay

    Kate McKay Report

    I am a robot
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I wish someone had told my ex girlfriend that!

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    #40

    Fish And Chizz??

    Fish And Chizz??

    Sam Doble Report

    Moannnaaaa
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    I guess it's supposed to be fizz, right?

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