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The human brain is truly amazing… We aren’t able to do much when we’re born. But the next thing you know, a little person is saying their first words. Then using full sentences. And later, reading and writing. Think about reading for a minute. We’re basically decoding random markings into meaningful messages. And we get to a point where we can do this fast. And without thinking. Like you might have done just now.

But sometimes we come across something so confusing we need to stop. Go back. And read it again. Until it hopefully starts to make sense. Unfortunately, some things will never make sense. Like a few of the signs posted in the r/dontdeadopeninside online community. It’s a space dedicated to “signs/media that read as nonsense if read normally: from left to right”. It has over 714 thousand members sharing the funniest, most bizarre signs they’ve ever come across. Keep scrolling for a list of our best of all time signs posted by the community, and let us know which ones really left you confused.

There’s a whole science behind reading. And researchers from various fields continue to study it. Some want to understand how we make sense of words. Others are looking for new ways of teaching people to read. One of the things they’ve found is that the human brain is not prewired to learn to read naturally. It’s something we are taught or must learn. During reading, various parts of our brain work together to make words come to life - and make sense.

“The ability to read text, process it and understand its meaning,” is how Oxford Owl describes reading comprehension. The University Of Oxford’s homeschooling site breaks it down like this: “It relies on two, interconnected abilities: word reading (being able to decode the symbols on the page) and language comprehension (being able to understand the meaning of the words and sentences).”

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The two need to work together like a well-oiled machine. Meaning, if you can decode words, but don’t understand their meaning, you won’t be able to comprehend a text. And if you can understand what the words mean, but you can’t decode them, you also won’t be able to comprehend text.

#7

You Don't Matter. Worry

You Don't Matter. Worry

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#8

Abort Jesus

Abort Jesus

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#9

I’ll Take One Of Each

I’ll Take One Of Each

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There are many factors that can impact our ability to understand text. Dyslexia is one of them. The Mayo Clinic defines it as “a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding).” Researchers have found it’s caused by disruptions in how someone’s brain processes writing so they can understand it.

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7 Surprising Black Ways To Use Beans

7 Surprising Black Ways To Use Beans

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You are not doomed if you have dyslexia. Some super famous people have revealed they’re dyslexic. Kim Kardashian recently spoke about her daughter North’s diagnosis. She’s one of many to speak out and break the stigma attached to learning disabilities.

Anderson Cooper is an Emmy Award winning news anchor and journalist. A big part of his job involves reading words on a teleprompter. But as a kid, Cooper struggled to read. He’s spoken publicly about his struggles. And said he would carry a book around with him but “would just pretend to read it, because I had trouble reading and making sense of words, in particular, letters.”

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#13

The State Of Washi Wangton

The State Of Washi Wangton

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#15

It Doesn’t Look Good Either Way

It Doesn’t Look Good Either Way

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Dumb teenager
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there's litterally no way this makes any logical sence unless it's in a pharmacy

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Cooper admitted even those who knew him well had no idea he had dyslexia. “I think it’s a sign of probably how well I tried to hide it when I was a little kid,” he said. “I remember at the time being concerned that other people would find out about it.” The news anchor has credited teachers and reading specialists with helping him to overcome his difficulty and excel in his career.

#17

Don't Never Drink And Drive. Drive High

Don't Never Drink And Drive. Drive High

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As an actress, Keira Knightley’s job also involves a lot of reading. But she too revealed she once struggled with dyslexia. She told the Guardian that she overcame her reading difficulties with the help of Emma Thompson’s Sense and Sensibility screenplay script.

“My mum, who worked with her on Sense and Sensibility, got me a copy of the screenplay Emma had written," said Knightley. "And I was – am – dyslexic and the way she got me over it was to say: 'If Emma Thompson couldn't read, she'd make sure she'd get over it, so you have to start reading, because that's what Emma Thompson would do'."

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Took A Wee While To Design This Masterpiece

Took A Wee While To Design This Masterpiece

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#21

Screw The Other 7 Coralines

Screw The Other 7 Coralines

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Sometimes, the issue doesn’t lie with the reader. No matter how good we normally are at reading or comprehension, some things are just hard to read. Like a few of the signs on this list. The Sign Research Foundation actually did a study on this very thing.

They found that the number one reason people couldn’t decipher a sign was because the letters were too small. 83% of respondents surveyed gave that as their main gripe. While 71% blamed the placement of the sign. Just under half had an issue with the font used.

#24

W Fart Free Water

W Fart Free Water

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Many marketing, PR and creative experts will agree that signage is vital to your business. And there are some tips to take into consideration when planning yours. These include keeping signs visible and legible. Living by “less is more” - short messages are easier to read. You should also avoid clutter. Use clean, crisp and easy-to-read fonts. Pay attention to the colors you use. And our personal favorite: don’t write a bunch of rubbish on your sign!

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#25

Asia Rden Ensb Vgio Ocko

Asia Rden Ensb Vgio Ocko

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Egodeist
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy carp that took me a while to work out - it's either Asia Book Cover Design or Asiard Enens I Boo V Gock

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#27

Nothingnothing Right Inleft In My My Leftright Brainbrain

Nothingnothing Right Inleft In My My Leftright Brainbrain

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#30

When “Don’t Dead Open Inside” Actually Makes Sense No Matter Which Way You Read It

When “Don’t Dead Open Inside” Actually Makes Sense No Matter Which Way You Read It

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#32

Always Forgotten. Remembered Never

Always Forgotten. Remembered Never

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Tristan J
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is supposed to be going on under the shirt for their heads to be contoured like that??

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#33

Enjoy Mouth Popcorn Your Watering

Enjoy Mouth Popcorn Your Watering

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#34

Left No Turn Right Only Turn

Left No Turn Right Only Turn

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#35

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ

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Robert T
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can somebody call me an ambulance, I just had a stroke trying to read that! /s

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#38

You If Going Lost You’re Me Together Get Can’t Know Don’t

You If Going Lost You’re Me Together Get Can’t Know Don’t

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#40

Don't Forget High School Buy A Yearbook

Don't Forget High School Buy A Yearbook

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#44

In Czech: "Sama Doma" Means Home Alone, "Sado Mama"...you Probably Know

In Czech: "Sama Doma" Means Home Alone, "Sado Mama"...you Probably Know

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Bobbie
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in the deep next episode... suzy reveals she loves soft spanks

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#46

Honk If You My Is Think Truck

Honk If You My Is Think Truck

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#47

Honk Ha Against Te

Honk Ha Against Te

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#49

They Must Have Added The Arrows After Realizing How Steamy It Was Originally

They Must Have Added The Arrows After Realizing How Steamy It Was Originally

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#50

For The Life Of Me, I Can't Figure Out What This Says?

For The Life Of Me, I Can't Figure Out What This Says?

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#51

Cloudy Meat With A Chance Of Balls

Cloudy Meat With A Chance Of Balls

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David
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds like when the porn industry takes a famous movie title and changes it slightly to be a funny porn title. Bonus points for living in the town of Swallow. /J

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#52

Say No To 100% Hygiene

Say No To 100% Hygiene

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#55

We Are Fried. Hiring Chicken

We Are Fried. Hiring Chicken

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#56

Stolen From My Friends Snap Story

Stolen From My Friends Snap Story

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#57

If You Were In A Car, Would You Know What Accident To Do?

If You Were In A Car, Would You Know What Accident To Do?

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#58

Loho Veme

Loho Veme

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DC
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's italian. And it sure-eh means-eh some-eh thing-eh.

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#60

This Sign At A&f

This Sign At A&f

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#63

Hot Sharp Water Needles!!

Hot Sharp Water Needles!!

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Sky Render
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what happens when you turn the shower on too hot in the morning...

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#65

Please Do Not Take It Home. Leave Litter Here

Please Do Not Take It Home. Leave Litter Here

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#66

Idiot Anti-Vaxxers Who Got Fired From Hospital Job

Idiot Anti-Vaxxers Who Got Fired From Hospital Job

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#67

Have You Guys Heard Of The New Samsung Aix Gay?

Have You Guys Heard Of The New Samsung Aix Gay?

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#69

Family Dollar, Dollar Tree……wait 🤔

Family Dollar, Dollar Tree……wait 🤔

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#70

Love Is Watching & Watching Someone Someone Die Is Hard

Love Is Watching & Watching Someone Someone Die Is Hard

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#71

Free Artificial Colours, From Flavours & Preservatives

Free Artificial Colours, From Flavours & Preservatives

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#72

This Jesus Cowboy

This Jesus Cowboy

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#74

*inhales* Everything Everything Everything Everything Everything Everything Everything

*inhales* Everything Everything Everything Everything Everything Everything Everything

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#76

You Give Chances Kid Voice Are

You Give Chances Kid Voice Are

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doredde
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you try to position texts in a straight, logical line, chances are high that my brain will not end up short-circuiting...

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#77

The Tim Hoe Use

The Tim Hoe Use

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doredde
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing wrong with this one, everybody has to earn his living.

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#78

The Love Is Sweeter Of Than Any Jesus Candy!

The Love Is Sweeter Of Than Any Jesus Candy!

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Elladine DesIsles
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2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is nothing on earth or in the heavens more disgustingly saccharine than candy corn.

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#80

Well If You Insist

Well If You Insist

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#81

This Is This Is Meme

This Is This Is Meme

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#82

We Hold That All Man, These Truths, And Women To Be, Are Created Self-Evident... Equal

We Hold That All Man, These Truths, And Women To Be, Are Created Self-Evident... Equal

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Carla Phillips
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, i'm 'a compel him to put women in the sequel" Angelica Schuyler

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#83

Feed Animals School Kids Parties Groups

Feed Animals School Kids Parties Groups

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David Paterson
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the same message however you read it "feed animals school kids" or "feed animals kids parties".

#84

Black Matter Lives!

Black Matter Lives!

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#85

Satan Jesus Is Is Defeated Lord! [oc]

Satan Jesus Is Is Defeated Lord! [oc]

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