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What makes you cringe? Is it witnessing someone try to flirt in the most awkward way? Or maybe looking at photos of yourself from middle school does it? Contrary to what your parents told you, that combination of bangs and braces did not look amazing! We’re all capable of engaging in some cringey behavior, whether it’s forgetting to mute yourself in a Zoom meeting with all of your colleagues or participating in TikTok trends that should probably be left to teenagers. But there’s something about the internet that seems to make individuals even more prone to engaging in full-on cringe.

And no one knows that better than the followers of Cringetopia on Twitter. Below, we’ve gathered some of the most painful tweets from this account dedicated to documenting “the worst of the worst on the internet”, so you’ve been warned: you might be cringing incredibly hard by the end.

Keep reading to also find an interview with an expert on the topic: host of the Watch Cringe podcast, Brendan, and try to enjoy this list (despite the fact that it might end up causing you physical pain). Be sure to upvote all of the pics that you couldn’t help but get a kick out of, and then, if you can somehow handle even more second-hand embarrassment, you can find another Bored Panda article featuring similar content right here!

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DEW
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you're a child trying to be tough and make people think your tough when you really fell off your skateboard and scraped your knuckles! Come on kid.

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The Cringetopia Twitter account has only been around since January 2021, but it has already amassed an impressive 105k followers. Despite the pain that it must cause those individuals, apparently, they can’t get enough of this embarrassing content. So we decided to do some investigating into what exactly “cringe” is and why the internet so obsessed with it. According to Wiktionary, the word “cringe” is derived from a combination of the Middle English word ‘crengen’, which means “to bend in a haughty manner” or to condescend, the Proto-Germanic word ‘krangijaną’, which means “to cause to fall” or “to cause to turn”, and several other Danish, Dutch, Scottish and West Frisian words essentially all meaning to turn away. 

The way that we use cringe today, however, is an almost inexplicable experience or feeling, according to Saumya Kalia, a writer at The Swaddle. She describes cringing as “a curled upper lip, a wrinkle on the nose, a weighted sneer, a shake of the head from side to side. To the assault on grammar, excessive displays of human emotions, fashion that was meant to die, any and every behavior that forgets social norms.” She explains that we’re all prone to experiencing and feeling cringe, so perhaps, it’s best to just embrace it.    

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A Wild Bean
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of insensitive nosy pig would post this about a complete stranger??

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“The history of cringe is rooted in social submission,” Kalia writes for The Swaddle. “What reached its peak through the internet culture first originated in the Old English; cringan was the word to describe ‘to fall, to yield in battle, to give way, to become bent, to curl up.’ Cringan became cringe sometime in the 16th century when it introduced the feelings of fear and embarrassment to ‘bending’ or ‘crouching.’ Finally, by the 19th century, the meaning had cemented itself; cringe meant to ‘recoil in embarrassment, shame, or fear’.”

And over the past couple decades, cringe content has become increasingly popular, with hit shows like The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Nathan For You gaining massive popularity. We watch these programs and laugh, partially from discomfort and partially because the situations the characters put themselves in are just too hilarious. But as Kalia explains in her article discussing the cultural history of cringe, “Watching train wrecks in fictionalized worlds spilled into a desire to mock those in real life.” Today, there are countless accounts like Cringetopia on Instagram, Reddit and TikTok calling out the lack of self-awareness so many people seem to exhibit in real life and online. There is certainly no shortage of cringe content to be found. 

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To learn even more about the painful and elusive topic of cringe, we reached out to Brendan, host of the podcast Watch Cringe, and he was kind enough to have a chat with us. First, we wanted to know what inspired Brendan, and his co-host Jay, to start a show dedicated to this topic. “We started the podcast because it’s highly entertaining and has a few lessons to teach the audience,” he told Bored Panda. “We want to normalize the cringe, so people can realize to not take life too seriously, but also to learn how to be better.”

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Javel!
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1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Angeline Shalyn
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my ! I was wondering why this was a "bad" one, I didn't realize the bottom was before and the top is now, I thought it was the opposite way around

Fat Harry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me too. I thought this was an example of someone turning their life around!

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A Wild Bean
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes me really sad to think that some people ruin their lives for views

nooneimportant
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as someone who has been 485 lbs (220 kg) never to this to yourself (currently 182 lbs {83 kg})

Tara Moov
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um, BP, you may want to switch the order of these photos. I was so happy for this person at first!

Kim Chi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not BP's doing, this is the original post from Twitter that BP just copied and posted here. Cringetopia is the one responsible for that.

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Ericthedead
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This guy is committing suicide right in front of everyone. Hope it pays good.

Larry XK
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mukbang is one of the sickest things. People literally eat themselves dead just for a few thousand likes. And if people weren't dumb enough to actually watch it and give likes Mukbang wouldn't exist

weewoo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bro nickado is so annoying he just keeps ruining himself for views

Alex S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly can't imagine what kind of people waste hours of their precious lives watching this s**t.

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Adam L
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like this was me, I was active and then I got a job at Burger King in high school. My manager would give me a free lunch if I rotated the refrigerator and freezer, and I took advantage by getting a large double whopper meal with a Hershey pie. Haven't quite come back from that, but I am close to being below 200 pounds.

nooneimportant
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it takes time but worth it simply for health reasons. Keep with it my friend, you've got this!!!

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Crazy Nailzz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is he the same person in the other entry post " My new diet as a disabled person"

Alexandra Davis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. I watched a video about him, he looks like he needs mental health support, he is so unstable in his recent videos

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GenericPanda09
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the kind of thing that needs an intervention and help. Seems a bit more serious than something just cringeworthy.

Kate Jones
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This guy is actually really well known for basically trying to kill himself with food. A lot of people have tried to get him help but he's obsessed with making youtube videos and does it for views. He used to be a musician and now he's just annoying and obsessed with trying to kill himself this way.

Id row
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing what people will do for internet attention from anonymous strangers.

LeeBreezy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when your critics care more about your health and well-being than your actual fans

Scratch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The before should be on top, you know like the rest of the world would do?

Grace Note
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so sad. Not fat-shaming. Nothing wrong with being fat but what he's eating, the photo, it's all just horrible.

similarly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy should definitely get checked for bipolar disorder. Speaking as someone who is bipolar and who has basically one entire side of my family with the disorder, if this isn't bipolar, I have a feeling this person is going through some serious issues and needs some love and help.

P.A.B.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, bud. Now it’s time to go back to the extreme healthy eating. You’ve made your money and got your likes. Bet you’d get more likes, make some more bucks, and save your own life. Good luck 🍀

Ryan
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we all agree that before/after pics should be put in the order we read? Like left-to-right or top-to-bottom. Why do so many posts get this wrong?

Tanya Glover
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know that I call this cringe but rather incredibly sad...

aubergine10003
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor guy seems to have fallen off the wagon, so to speak...

Sean Sean
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was going to say good for him, but uh... Apparently I misunderstood.

Luke T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a shame what people will put themselves through for stardom

Jack O'reilly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he's gone full circle. i thought he was gross for this mass eating but during lockdown he started playing violin again and really turned around and lost a load of weight now

GOODLUCK JOSHUA
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this poat made me find his youtube.. the guy might have made me vomit, "added burger, taco, some margarine into a blender, mixed and drank!" wont look any of his videos again, he's a weardo guy!"

TrashPandaSociety
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He got fat and obnoxious as a 'social experiment' aka he's an attention whore and he liked the negative attention.

Laura Ford-Everett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yah he has gone straight downhill. Was a smart talented musician. breaks my heart.

Austin Sauce
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He’s probably used this schtick to make more money than I’ll ever see. That’s kind of depressing.

Torhild Sageng Hansen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just sad. He used to be a healthy, handsome young man, and has turned himself to a complete wreck.

Squishy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh there is so much sadness in this... I just wish I could wave a wand to let him go back in time. It hurts me everytime I hear his name

strawberry idiot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

arent mukbangs supposed to be somewhat satisfying? like, made for eating asmr?? i think he missed the point...

Chonky Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FYI, a lot of people are saying that he's faking it for views, that it's a made up character. And tbh, it's working, no? There are many videos out there "debunking" his persona, just google it.

WhirlySquirrel
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sincerely concerned about binge—mukbangers and encouraging this as a habit and profession. :( this is a prime example of why.

Thomas E S Thomas
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what happens when diabetes sets in. You add change to the meter or you expire.

Doug Steiner
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like he is wasting away to nothing. Tofu won't sustain a fly. Needs more nutrition in his diet. Probably be dead In a year.

No Way
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't look like the same person. The teeth look different.

Lu
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What’s sad is he’s totally embraced the disaster, truth is he won’t live long.

David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure if cringe or just really sad. Like Dude! What happened in your life?

Rostit .
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

in 4 more years it will be his obituary from a heart attack.

Dre Mosley
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nikocado Avacado's transformation has been appalling. Yes, it's made him very wealthy, but look at the cost.

Audrey Borer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the channels are very similar but very different one is Nikocado Avocado and the other is more nikocado

CatWoman312
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy in this image has completely lost his mind to top it off. They make videos on tiktok about him. Apparently he use to be vegan and got tired of it so he switched back to omnivore and does mukbang videos. He’ll make incoherent statements while he’s eating. He’s…interesting to say the least

Horst
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He stopped being Vegan because it was actually causing some health problems (rotten tooth for example), it was a downward spiral from there

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Jeffery Dahmer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nikoda is a glutton and makes me want to puke every time I even think about him.

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Cringe can be a subjective topic, so we were curious how Brendan likes to define it. “Cringe equals ‘shared embarrassment’. When someone does something ‘cringe’, it usually highlights that person's inability to be socially appropriate,” he explained. “Meaning it’s usually when someone [messes] up or is just really uncool. For example, uncool dad jokes make you cringe because you feel embarrassed for the dad and everyone in the room. Or let’s say a dude is showing off a Venus fist (feminist) tattoo at a bar to pick up babes. That’s cringe because it’s obvious he didn’t get that tattoo out of sincerity; he’s basically acting like a tool bag.”

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Alexandra Davis
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not just $3k or $2k though, it's holiday time at work, it's child care, it's that amount per person, it's all the extra costs on top like insurance, spending money, vaccinations for Thailand etc (including an expensive registry by the sounds of it!) Most people can only have one holiday a year and don't want to spend it at your wedding, especially as you sound insufferable

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Brendan was also willing to share one of his own personal moments of cringe with us. “On one of my first dates with a girl, I asked her if she was on the spectrum because I thought she was like me,” he told Bored Panda. “She didn’t like that line of questioning, but guess what: she’s my fiancé now! This type of cringe is because the cringer is unaware of how their words can affect other people’s feelings.” That may have been cringey in the moment, but I’m glad to hear the story had a happy ending!

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And lucky for all of us (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), Brendan says no one is immune to being cringey. “The cringe is unavoidable,” he told Bored Panda. “It’s a part of human ancestry. Look to our past, present, and future, and you will find that entire countries are cringe. France stole a 3,000 year old obelisk from Egypt, shipped it to France on a boat, and set it up in the middle of a traffic circle!” It’s true. It’s called the Luxor Obelisk, and you can read about it right here

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Fat Harry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it was all looking so good until the last couple of lines.

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Alexandra Davis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So he's not your husband, he's not in the armed forces and he never went to that school... wow!

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Finally, Brendan left us with some wise words about our cringey behavior. “The world needs to highlight it and embrace it,” he shared. “It’s like having a big pimple on your face. It’s worse if you try to hide it. Just own it, and be better next time.”

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If you’d like to hear some painfully cringey stories, accompanied by hilarious commentary, be sure to check out Brendan’s podcast Watch Cringe right here or follow the show on Instagram right here!

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Zobi123
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's really cringe is posting pictures of children on social media without their parents consent.

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According to Melissa Dahl, a senior editor at The Cut and author of Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness, indulging in cringe content for fun is actually similar to experiencing nightmares, as far as our brains are concerned. “It’s our brains giving us a dose of exposure therapy,” she told Vox. “Maybe the same thing is happening for people who are drawn to cringey content, [maybe they’re] people whose deepest fear is being ostracized or made to look like a fool.”

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“I think [cringe content] is a controlled way of facing this really deep fear. It’s funny to talk about being embarrassed during the year 2020 when there’s such scary things going on,” Dahl continued, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. “But, like, there’s nothing scarier than being cast out on your own and laughed out of the group!”

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BenMaharaj
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the beauties of the written word is you can elucidate your thoughts far more effectively than with speech. I don’t understand why anyone would give up that advantage.

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Are you feeling a little better about all of the cringey things you’ve ever done? Because clearly, it can always get worse! We hope you’re getting a kick out of these photos pandas, but remember, none of us are immune to the cringe. So don't get too cocky... Keep upvoting your favorite photos, and then if you want to experience even more second-hand embarrassment, you can find another Bored Panda article featuring painfully cringey content right here!

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A Wild Bean
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ew... that's just weird, I hope he at least asked the kids first if this was ok

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Kate Jones
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like I know exactly what this guy looks like and everything he owns is probably sticky and there's a lot of axe bodyspray everywhere.

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