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Pareidolia is the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. And we've known about it for quite a while.

Leonardo da Vinci, for example, described seeing characters in natural markings on stone walls, which he believed could help inspire his artworks. And in the 1950s, the Bank of Canada had to withdraw a series of banknotes because people saw a grinning devil leaping from the curls of the Queen's hair.

However, pareidolia can be really fun, too. Just look at this list of photos from Bored Panda. At first glance, it looks like a seemingly casual batch of veggies and fruits. But a closer examination will reveal they have "become" something else. Enjoy!

#1

After Stewing In His Emotions, Emo Veg Comes To The Conclusion That The Root Of The World's Problems Is That People Don't Seem To Carrot All

After Stewing In His Emotions, Emo Veg Comes To The Conclusion That The Root Of The World's Problems Is That People Don't Seem To Carrot All

obvincognito Report

Sometimes, an abnormal look can make fruits and veggies land in the bin. Of course, food waste exists across the food supply chain due to pests and mold, poor climate control, and household waste, but imperfect produce is often turned away by grocery stores for not meeting strict cosmetic standards as well, making up around 40% of total food waste.

Philip Behn, the CEO of Imperfect Foods, a company that is on a mission to eliminate food waste, told Forbes that there are many reasons this could happen: "It could be a small quirk in appearance based on shape, size, or color that has no impact on flavor or nutrition. Beyond produce, perfectly good grocery items often go to waste for similarly illogical reasons. Grocers won't purchase or stock goods that are close to expiration or going through packaging changes, regardless of quality."

Reducing food loss has been identified as one of the most effective ways to improve food security – an increasingly important challenge as the global population continues to grow. Plus, food waste also hugely contributes to global warming and our carbon footprint.

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But ugly food is fighting back. More and more companies are selling ugly produce and using it in their products, reversing the fate of discarded monstrosities to delicious, perfectly edible, and nutritious food.

The ugly produce movement also has the potential to pass lower prices onto customers.

So if you stumble upon a radish that resembles a foot — buy it. You'll be doing your part.

#5

Going To Have To Eat This Chicken As It Hasn't Laid A Single Bloody Egg Yet

Going To Have To Eat This Chicken As It Hasn't Laid A Single Bloody Egg Yet

Grove Farm, Bonnyrigg Report

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Cip IESAN
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, the mad evil scientist crossbreeded a sparrow with a strawberry...

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#6

This Incredible Carrot Hand Was Found While Digging Juice Carrots At Our Farm Today

This Incredible Carrot Hand Was Found While Digging Juice Carrots At Our Farm Today

Moby-Dickens Report

#8

She Thought He Did Not Carrot All, But He Bought Her 21-Carrot Ring

She Thought He Did Not Carrot All, But He Bought Her 21-Carrot Ring

imgur.com Report

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#9

Foot Shaped Radish Goes On Display

Foot Shaped Radish Goes On Display

Nine_Fingers Report

#10

Naughty Pears

Naughty Pears

imgur Report

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Mihai Mara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Farmer: 'So I was walking in the orchard and kept hearing moans but there was nobody there except me. No idea what was going on".

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#12

This Banana Looks Exactly Like My Mom's Dog

This Banana Looks Exactly Like My Mom's Dog

imgur.com Report

#15

This Onion Looks Like An Angry Bird

This Onion Looks Like An Angry Bird

imgur.com Report

#16

F**k You Too, Broccoli

F**k You Too, Broccoli

imgur.com Report

#17

This Tomato That Grew In Our Garden Is Shaped Like A Butterfly

This Tomato That Grew In Our Garden Is Shaped Like A Butterfly

Kr1tya3 Report

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Mihai Mara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gives new meaning to the saying 'having butterflies in your stomach'

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#18

This Yam Looks Like A Human Hand

This Yam Looks Like A Human Hand

pm_me_ur_bussy Report

#19

This Pumpkin In Our Garden Split And It Looks Like It Has Teeth

This Pumpkin In Our Garden Split And It Looks Like It Has Teeth

lokigivesmeloves Report

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Lee The Thespian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exactly what they mean when they say "whatever you do, don't feed the plants" at the end of Little Shop

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PjandBolt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like something that would be in plants vs zombies

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Chuckie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dont want to be judgemental but I dont think it means well.

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HammerzToe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like it should be on a bill board for a movie. The Plant That Ate Chicago!

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Kelly Hartle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's just a mean yellow mother from out of space and it's bad!

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#20

An Exceptionally Suave And Sophisticated Daikon Radish

An Exceptionally Suave And Sophisticated Daikon Radish

the2belo Report

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#22

This Strawberry Looks Like A Butterfly

This Strawberry Looks Like A Butterfly

sicknickmondo Report

#26

The Skin On My Apple Kinda Looks Like The Silhouette Of A Camel

The Skin On My Apple Kinda Looks Like The Silhouette Of A Camel

Natalia_Kelly Report

#27

I Thought This Gourd Looked Like A Snail

I Thought This Gourd Looked Like A Snail

snaz27 Report

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Airis Malfoy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you ignore the green part, and look at the yellow one, it looks like Sid the Sloth from Ice age.... or is it just me? https://images.app.goo.gl/EFXnb2GoJF35dbiA7

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#28

This Purple Carrot Looks Like A Bartender Ready To Take Your Drink Order And Listen To Your Troubles

This Purple Carrot Looks Like A Bartender Ready To Take Your Drink Order And Listen To Your Troubles

nancyxxu Report

#29

I Thought There Was A Severed Finger In My Fruit Bowl. It Was Just Some Ginger

I Thought There Was A Severed Finger In My Fruit Bowl. It Was Just Some Ginger

Seawench41 Report

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Mihai Mara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can't fool us! I know how a severed finger looks like when I see one! .... *cough* cause I've seen them in movies. In movies, yes.

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#32

So Aparrotly This Is Milkweed

So Aparrotly This Is Milkweed

imgur.com Report

#33

This Small Red Potato Looks Like An Anatomical Heart

This Small Red Potato Looks Like An Anatomical Heart

Jztak7 Report

#34

I Don't Think I Can Eat This Potato

I Don't Think I Can Eat This Potato

capnfantasy Report

#35

My Friend Found A Lemon Shaped Like An Elephant

My Friend Found A Lemon Shaped Like An Elephant

fink Report

#38

My Wife's Bell Pepper Looks Like A Big Nosed Grumpy Old Man Smoking A Cig

My Wife's Bell Pepper Looks Like A Big Nosed Grumpy Old Man Smoking A Cig

poznasty Report

#39

We Grew An Eggplant That Looks Like The Poop Emoji

We Grew An Eggplant That Looks Like The Poop Emoji

SadOni0n Report

#40

My Potato Looks Like It's Trying To Escape Itself

My Potato Looks Like It's Trying To Escape Itself

Moonri Report

#41

This Jalapeño Looks Like A T-Rex

This Jalapeño Looks Like A T-Rex

AberrantDevices Report

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#44

It Looks Exactly Like Larry Bird

It Looks Exactly Like Larry Bird

bingowings14 Report

#46

This Carrot Wants To Be An Astronaut

This Carrot Wants To Be An Astronaut

reddit.com Report

#48

My Friend’s Smoked Cauliflower Looks Like An Explosion

My Friend’s Smoked Cauliflower Looks Like An Explosion

orkenbjorken Report

#50

Tomato My Wife Grew vs. One Our Friends Bought

Tomato My Wife Grew vs. One Our Friends Bought

Litre Report

Note: this post originally had 128 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.