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We all know very well that things in this world tend to backfire. Call it a law of nature, a frequent twist of fate, or destiny. “Look who’s laughing now” is a phenomenon that has happened to virtually every one of us, and no matter what you do, it repeats again and again, and again.

The Reddit community “There Was An Attempt” is dedicated to precisely the comic absurdity of all the attempts in life that went against the plan, or turned in the wrong direction. Created in August 2015, the subreddit now has 1.9m members that are not immune to the funny attempts that “were there.”

“People enjoy the slapstick comedy of it. At the end of the day, everyone is laughing,” the subreddit’s moderator told Bored Panda in the interview that you can read in full below. And now we leave the stage to the ensued hilarity.

#2

To Complain About A Child Selling Hot Dogs

To Complain About A Child Selling Hot Dogs

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Bored Panda spoke to redditor u/F4T4-M0RG4N4, the moderator of the r/ThereWasAnAttempt subreddit, who said that the community has evolved a lot since it was created 5 years ago.

“When I first joined the team, it was mostly a screenshot sub. A few months back, there was some drama about how there were only three mods who ran the subreddit (which at the time had around a million members).” As a result, they invited more people to join the moderator team and removed the screenshot posts.

#5

To Make Speaking 2 Languages Sophisticated

To Make Speaking 2 Languages Sophisticated

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#6

To Sound Literate

To Sound Literate

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For those who’re wondering what, precisely, “there was an attempt” refers to, u/F4T4-M0RG4N4 explained that it’s basically about “someone attempting something but ultimately failing.”

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Conceptually, it’s similar to “if someone tried jumping off a trampoline into a pool but when they tried to jump, the trampoline tore. In that case, you could say, 'Well... there was an attempt, at least' and that’s where our subreddit comes into play.”

The posts are mainly about “some people having a dumb idea, trying out that idea, and failing.” This misery is what makes it so funny. 

#7

To Prevent The Homeless From Sleeping Here

To Prevent The Homeless From Sleeping Here

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#8

To Start Cat Racing

To Start Cat Racing

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Jihana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is just adorable 🤣 Also: why would you think a cat would get out of a box?

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#9

To Prove That Patton Oswalt Is A Failed Comedian

To Prove That Patton Oswalt Is A Failed Comedian

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Today, the moderator team only allows video submissions and cross-posts, “which are posts that were in one subreddit but were reposted to another (kind of like retweeting.” This format works better for r/ThereWasAnAttempt, since screenshots can more easily become reposts, for one.

Especially when there’s one similar subreddit that’s specifically for social media clapbacks and comebacks, but its content mainly features screenshots.When it comes to their 1.9 million member count, the moderator said that “I don’t think we have the exact same post frequency as, say, a meme subreddit.”

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Partly, it’s because it isn’t easy to repost something from r/ThereWasAnAttempt. “I could probably look at the new section for r/memes and see quite a few frequent reposts.”

#14

To Shame Atheists And Take Away Their Holidays

To Shame Atheists And Take Away Their Holidays

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#15

I Mean... You Tried..?

I Mean... You Tried..?

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Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Having Voldemort trying to kill him at every opportunity finally took its toll on Harry Potter'

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#17

To Arrest A “Drug Dealer

To Arrest A “Drug Dealer

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#18

To Make Fun Of A Bird

To Make Fun Of A Bird

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DforDory
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least he realised it. If you can't laugh at yourself, you're doomed.😁

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#19

To Shame Men

To Shame Men

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#22

To Convince People To Be Pro-Life

To Convince People To Be Pro-Life

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you got a tiny Voldemort in your womb, abortion might not be the worst idea.

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#23

To Defend God

To Defend God

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#25

To Be Racist

To Be Racist

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Queen fhk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am proudly a Muslim just like a Christian proudly a Christian and also like an atheist who is proudly an atheist!!!!!!! It's our believe when people think about freedom of speech, they forget about hurting other people's religion, but when we stand for our rights we are themed as paranoid. Just leave us alone, stop looking for trouble which you wouldn't get and exercise Human Rights fairly not partially degrading other people's religion. I quote everyone is different yet you try to make everyone the same religion, race, tribe all " Differences matters, yet that makes us who we are, denying our differences is denying the truth " I am A PROUD MUSLIM, it's me not you allow me to practice my religion in peace and stop popnosing on my affairs, everyone deserves right to religion just as u think!

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#26

To Suggest A New Idea

To Suggest A New Idea

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Flawless! And you should be able to make a audio contact with other people in real time so you can tell them, instead of typing a message for them.

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#28

To Eat A Mozzarella Stick

To Eat A Mozzarella Stick

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#30

To Betray Coca Cola

To Betray Coca Cola

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lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Years ago there was a really big game coming up between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washing Redskins. It was to determine a great many things, and EVERYONE [this was back in the 70's was really awaiting this game. [Maybe it was the San Francisco 49'er's] regardless, it was gonna be intense and some one stole the "9"er's playbook and Coach Landry a man of honor and integrity Immediately called the opposing team's coach and had the playbook messengered to the other team. That is what professionals USED to do.

mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has something like that happened recently where the people involved didn’t act morally? Inquiring redskins fan wants to know.

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Kayla J
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not just standards, Pepsi also isn't stupid. If they had received illegal trade secrets and possibly used it, they'd be up a creek without a paddle doing major damage to their PR.

mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would Pepsi even want their drink to taste like coke? Then there’d be no distinction and therefore no reason to buy Pepsi.

jacobbabashoff avatar
Jacob Babashoff
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pepsi probably already knows the secret formula for Coke. But how do you market that? New Pepsi? How well did that go for Coke...or for that matter, Crystal Pepsi? You have consumers who grab which ever is on Sale. Then you have your loyal customers who actually do prefer your brand over the other. So now what do you do? Spend a ton of money on a marketing plan stating New Pepsi is just like Coke? Basically admitting your flagship is a weaker product? Yeah, I don't think so.

hard2guesss avatar
Bender Bending Rodríguez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am that person that grabs anything that's on sale. F**k brand loyalty it's not doing anything for me.

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Trav May
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many to most companies that compete with each other are not bitter rivals. They often belong to the same trade organization, attend the same trade shows, form strategic alliances, have agreements not to poach employees, ect. Most of the rivalies that has been depicted between businesses are more marketing and urban legend than reality.

anneking68 avatar
StrawberryParfait
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pepsi is a soft-drinks giant all on its own. Why would they want Coke secrets? Some of us prefer Pepsi!

russellrieckenberg avatar
Russell Rieckenberg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually PepsiCo is massively more than a soft-drink giant. They own Frito-Lays, Quaker Oats, Aunt Jamima, Rold Gold, Nut Harvest, Grandma's Cookies, Sabra Hummus, and other brands.

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Radek Suski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's hilarious when you consider their thinking: - guy want to sell us coca cola's formula - yeah, what for, Pepsi is way better than Coca Cola - good point let's report him to Coca Cola

jackiesalac21 avatar
J.G
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right? It's almost like that's addressed within the meme you just looked at.

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BusLady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would they think that Pepsi would need any help? Both brands are highly successful.

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あんぱんまん
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i like how pepsi didnt buy into it and played fair... increased my respect for em

chrismiller_4 avatar
Chris Miller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should have called China, instead of Pepsi. China loves corporate secrets.

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Máté Jancsek
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because Pepsi and Coca-cola has their own recipe. Why would they want each other's? People like them because of that unique flavor. They could successfully sell the recipe to a NoName cola brand company tho... But not to someone, who already made big with its own

scj3 avatar
Vivian Davis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More than one person has part of the formula, it isn't given to only one person.

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Picture Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just read the other day on an article about food facts that the only difference between coke & pepsi is that pepsi has citric acid in it & coke does not.

maemosse avatar
Mae Mosse
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was the employee gonna tell Pepsi that Coca Cola still use coke as one of their ingredients? I reckon it was a setup to see what Pepsi would do.

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DetongLhamo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These food products with ‘secret recipes’: how do they get past the FDA?

ltweezie avatar
Louise Stange-Wahl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this. Even though I am a TOTAL Coca-Cola fanatic (my favorite is Mexican Coca-Cola, which has the original cane sugar--best beverage in the universe), I gave props to Pepsi for being advocates of honesty!

sfrench1989 avatar
Frenchie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well yeah. It's illegal to sell trade secrets let alone buy them. And this was in 2006. Pepsi was a multi branded, million dollar company by then, they didn't need coca cola. Lol like it was gonna take that gamble. It's not standards. They just aren't stupid. 😂

don503765 avatar
Donald Holder
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's BS. No one employee lower than Board level knows all the secrets of how a coke is made.

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PeachPossum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trivia: A teen had a soccer meet just before choir practice at the church. He had no time to change. Clad in shorts and a T-Shirt with the Pepsi-Cola logo, he joined the choir and stood in his place in the front row. Through the entire practice, the priest kept staring at him. The teen became self-conscious, wishing he had brought a change of clothing with him. When choir practice ended, the priest sought him out. "Oh, boy, now I'm in trouble," he thought. The priest said, "Did you know that if you unscramble the letters in Pepsi-Cola, it spells 'episcopal'?"

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Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every time I read this, I want to buy a Pepsi to reward them.

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Luuta
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a duo-opoly or whatever it's called. Not impressed.

lunanik avatar
Nikki Sevven
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not about standards; it's about not wishing a long, claustrophobic vacation with horrible food and questionable companions, all courtesy of the government.

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Claire Armstrong
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me so happy lol! I used to love Coca Cola years ago but now I love Pepsi! I have no idea why I changed. Maybe it's because I used to drink Vodka and Coca Cola and now I don't drink so maybe Coca Cola reminds me of that. I don't know, whatever it is I'm a Pepsi person now lol

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Bears Kitten
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be the best, you have to beat the best. Pepsi proved that there is still integrity in business.

boredpanda_155 avatar
Jay Dresser
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

because of course Pepsi felt that their own recipe was already superior.

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#32

To Replace I'm Sorry With Thank You

To Replace I'm Sorry With Thank You

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Charlotte
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But actually this is a technique I used in customer service. For example when you put a customer on hold to go get more info, you ask them if they’re happy to wait. When you get back you thank them for waiting. If you say “sorry for the wait” it suggests you did something wrong, when really you were just doing your job. It leaves a different impression on the customer and genuinely impacts satisfaction.

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#33

To Prove How Unfashionable These Jeans Were

To Prove How Unfashionable These Jeans Were

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#35

To Provide Front, Side, And Rear Photos For The Car Insurance Rep

To Provide Front, Side, And Rear Photos For The Car Insurance Rep

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#37

To Get A Cardi B Tattoo

To Get A Cardi B Tattoo

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Some Cool Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never realized that there is a level of messed up that someone would want to get an Anne Frank tattoo on your damn FACE

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#39

To Display Plus Size Clothes Without Causing Offence

To Display Plus Size Clothes Without Causing Offence

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Roger Haywood
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering that there are no plus sized mannequins, I think its good improv. (I'm on the larger size myself, and I'm nowhere near offended)

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#40

To Stand Up For The Joker

To Stand Up For The Joker

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Welcome to the Internet, where you can be offended by literally everything,

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#42

To Fuck The Police

To Fuck The Police

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#47

To Criticize A Garbage Man

To Criticize A Garbage Man

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Sanne H.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don’t know how it’s in other countries, but here in NL apparently it’s one of the best paid low-education jobs available. A friend of mine did it as a student job while in university and apart from the smell he was quite happy with it.

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#48

To Be A Professional Company

To Be A Professional Company

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Pamela24
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All that's gonna do is make more people drive drunk. If Uber is so concerned about people throwing up in their cars or being violent (which is understandable) they should charge a deposit and/or allow the drivers to have pepper spray or something to defend themselves if necessary (not guns!).

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#49

To Create 3 Mexican Countries

To Create 3 Mexican Countries

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#50

To Hide

To Hide

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Note: this post originally had 150 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.