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We all make fools out of ourselves every now and then. Nobody is safe from that unwelcome sense of anxiety once you realized the thing you just said makes zero sense. But things that leave your mouth, whether IRL or online, do stay there, oftentimes forever.

And there’s a whole corner of Reddit, r/S***AmericansSay, dedicated entirely to the mission of collecting the stupidest, funniest, and sometimes embarrassing cases of people being so convinced they know better when they couldn’t be further away from the truth.

So let’s ready ourselves for the ensued hilarity, ‘cause we are about to have a fair share of it, trust me.

#2

“Who Was The First Country On Planet Earth To Ban Slavery? That’s Right, America”

“Who Was The First Country On Planet Earth To Ban Slavery? That’s Right, America”

Aironwood Report

There’s an abundance of scientific evidence that shows humans are poor judges of their own abilities, whether it’s their sense of humor or grammar. In fact, psychologists believe that we are more blind to our own failings than we realize. This idea comes from the 1999 study in which David Dunning and Justin Kruger from Cornell University, New York, tested if people who lack skills and abilities are also more likely to lack awareness of their lack of ability.

#3

You're On The Internet, Which Is American

You're On The Internet, Which Is American

Nulligravida Report

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

The internet has helped us see how much of a total s**t show the USA is... they can't hide behind the propaganda machine we call movies

DKS 001
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah ... my fellow Americans making asses of us all. Sorry world, we're not all like these people. But these people seem to speak the loudest ... obnoxiously so.

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

Besides, Americans who collaborate internationally and Americans who work in scientific research use the metric system – because it is internatinally standardised. Imperial units simply are obsolete but for continued legacy use. (And, admittedly, it is very hard to get rid of that as it is very hard to change what you was raised to use.)

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

It's not impossible though. In the UK we have a weird mix of the two. Road signs and car speedometers are in miles but we can mostly understand what a kilometre is. Kitchen measurements are in metric. When it's cold we use metric (tonight it will be -1!) and when it's hot we use imperial (it's 90 degrees out there!). But we all agree that the Americans are strange to so stubbornly cling to imperial units.

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

American measurement = best measurement because american = best. If you disagree, you are a terrorist/communist.

Sky Fails314
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in America but was raised Russian, and I still cannot use miles or Fahrenheit as forms of measurement.

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

When you have teachers just “teach to the test”—-which generally leads to “test it and forget it” for students—-so the school can get more funding, instead of help kids actually learn, this is what you get. Schools shouldn’t have to sacrifice true education just to be able to afford textbooks or some computers. The lack of adequate and consistent funding for public education is the crux of the issue.

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

so many american think they are the center of the world!

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

It’s embarrassing to be from the US. I hope our narcissistic behavior comes to an end as soon as possible.

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

I really think the media plays up how "awful America is" there are things is every country that from the outside looking in are awful. But believe it or not the quality of life in the US is still pretty great for the majority of americans

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

technically ICANN which controls all IP and domains is a US Company, and the Internet is derived from Darpanet which was the US Military

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

Yeah, it's wrong we know. The Internet was developed by DARPA, as it grew out of ARPAnet, so is 100% American; later however Tim Berners-Lee invented the WWW at CERN.

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

huh... so internet IS american now, none the less! as you can search on google (like I did) Internet was co-invented by Robert Cailliau (belgian) and Tim Berners-Lee (english) and howewer internet is of nobody, my big mouth dude...

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

Can’t really paint all Americans with the same brush. C’mon!

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

The world wide web is not the internet. The WWW was indeed invented in Europe, but the first internet, ARPAnet, was actually invented by the US government

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

Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989. Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989. Sir Tim Berners-Lee is a British computer scientist. He was born in London, and his parents were early computer scientists, working on one of the earliest computers.

Don't Look
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depending on your own definition of telecom, the internet was begun in the states, in England and in France. And the worst part is that because it comes from so many beginnings there's no... definite, absolute start of it. More than one person conceived an idea with communicating from point a to point b via radio and wire. Who do you want to credit? The first satellite transmission? The first phone call? The first radio transmission? How about morse code? I assume the American above was referring to ARPNET.... but there was also MILNET.... so whatever.

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

Internet is not owned by America, and Americans need to stop being so far up their asses.

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

Actually the internet was developed by arpanet...later darpa. Venton Cerf developed tcp\ip protocol and is considered to be the father of the internet and is an American.

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

It's scary how genuinely stupid, ignorant and uneducated most Americans are.

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

I used to think that and have been trying to find a country where people aren't like that. Sadly, I've failed so far. There are idiots literally everywhere. I think the biggest problem in America is the stupid, ignorant and uneducated are encouraged by politicians who want everyone to follow that example so they can continue to rob us, unhindered.

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

✝️ Jesus was American.🇺🇲 IT'S A FACT. (My pastor told me so, right before healed the sick and pulled the snakes out of the cage.)

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

...on top of that imperial system is most idiotic, imbecilic, useless bullshit people ever came up with.

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

regardless of where it was where it was developed, WORLD wide web.

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

Wth the internet is American now? I'm assuming Earth is as well?

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

And, in case that isn't proof enough, America elected politicians to Congress and the White House who care not a hoot about the welfare of their constituents over the thickness of their bank accounts.

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

He is obviously of a far superior race, just one that somehow managed to stay ignorant of everything outside of his W.C.

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

The best measurements... While everybody tells you to use metric when it comes to being precise... I can't believe that people really don't WANT to learn

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

The poster should have explained that Cern is in Switzerland, which is in Europe, because he will never have heard of Cern. Or Switzerland. He may have heard of Europe, but it's not a certainty.

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

This does annoy me... there are so many times that stuff published online assumes that the readership is American. It's like America thinks it's the only country in the world and yet to the rest of the world America is just

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

Wow. You are so f*cking dumb... you’re (the best) at it.. I love it.

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

There are 2 types of countries. 1 type uses the metric system. The other goes to the moon.

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

some of us americans are insane. i am ashamed of this country

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

Hmm...it makes sense if you think the USA is the center of the universe.

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

Ah. Once again another bash America segment of Bored Panda. How original. Yawn.

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

actually the internet WAS invented in America by 2 scientists in UCLA and Stanford....the World wide web was invented in CERN about 20yrs later ;-)

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

I wouldn't call the american measuring system "the best" since the USA are literally one of the only countries in the whole world using it and most other countries are metric

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

The last 5 years has shown me that about half of USA "adults" are stupid as hell. Look who they made prez: a conman grifter with no morals or ethics, and then almost half tried to reelect him!

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

and folks wonder why I have this place... Arrogance and Ignorance are worn like a freaking Medal of Honor

SBW71
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just goes to show there is stupidity everywhere, Yeah America is a s**t show which is why everyone wants to come here right?

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

the internet is American? i thought the internet was- y'know- not American? (sarcasm)

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

I’m not shocked just sad... because it explains so many things. Like why people are allowed to own assault rifles. MPH that’s why.

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

There's no such things called mile, it's just weird arbitrary name for 1.609 Km

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

... imperial units suck. The metric system is superior in every regard. I did my research and came to the conclusion that, all in all an generally, the imperial system of units may provide between 3/64 and 97/128 of the performance of the metric system, which simply and always delivers 1.0 of its own performance.

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The results of the tests led the authors to the interpretation that accurately assessing one's skill level relies on some of the same core abilities as actually performing that skill. It led them to the conclusion that the least competent maybe suffering a double deficit.

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#6

Well Allocated Funds

Well Allocated Funds

lNoahl Report

“Not only are they incompetent, but they lack the mental tools to judge their own incompetence,” Kruger and Dunning thought. During the course of four individual tests run on participants, the scientists discovered that “People who scored in the lowest percentiles on tests of grammar, humor, and logic also tended to dramatically overestimate how well they had performed (their actual test scores placed them in the 12th percentile, but they estimated that their performance placed them in the 62nd percentile).”

#7

Pridemonth

Pridemonth

unknown Report

#8

'People Who Leave Their Phones Set To Military Time Are War Criminals'

'People Who Leave Their Phones Set To Military Time Are War Criminals'

reddit.com Report

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

I was older than I would EVER care to publicly admit when I learned that “military time” I often heard referred was not some secret, complicated way of working out the time you’re only privy to having served in the army but simply the reading of a 24 hour clock.

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Dunning shared his impressions in an article for Pacific Standard: "In many cases, incompetence does not leave people disoriented, perplexed, or cautious. Instead, the incompetent are often blessed with an inappropriate confidence, buoyed by something that feels to them like knowledge." The phenomenon is known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect and most of us have surely encountered numerous cases of it in real life.

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#9

Go To Panama, This Is America

Go To Panama, This Is America

Pontoisien Report

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

I would be tempted to argue that THIS is the virtual, borderless world....

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#11

“More People Use Imperial Than Metric”

“More People Use Imperial Than Metric”

Corporal-Porpoise Report

#13

People Engaging Me In German Because I Look German

People Engaging Me In German Because I Look German

Mr_-_X Report

#15

Where Does It Say In The Constitution Or Any Of The Amendments That Eating Is A Human Right?

Where Does It Say In The Constitution Or Any Of The Amendments That Eating Is A Human Right?

Liam_Noble Report

#16

"More People Know About Our Smallest State Vermont Then The Amsterdam"

"More People Know About Our Smallest State Vermont Then The Amsterdam"

Particular_Edge2308 Report

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#17

“We Will Never Rewrite The Constitution”

“We Will Never Rewrite The Constitution”

reddit.com Report

#18

Your Haircuts Are Un-American

Your Haircuts Are Un-American

3Squareheadz Report

#20

Hmmmmmmm

Hmmmmmmm

Classic-CJ Report

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

Sure, just like "america" celebrates other countries' independence day 🙄

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#21

Why Is Munich Spelled "München" On Signs In Germany?

Why Is Munich Spelled "München" On Signs In Germany?

Merlin428bretz Report

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

Munich citizen here. I can confirm that we do, in fact, write signs in our own language. We are crazy people!

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#22

“...your Hip Would Break Because Their Medical Staff Is Garage...”

“...your Hip Would Break Because Their Medical Staff Is Garage...”

ThatMusicKid Report

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

I know people who have travelled to other countries to get medical/dental care because the air fair and other expenses plus cost of treatment were cheaper than in US. It is literally true.

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#23

Do You Guys Have Refrigerators?

Do You Guys Have Refrigerators?

anotherwankusername Report

#24

"Offended By Our Patriotism, Wattpad Girl?"

"Offended By Our Patriotism, Wattpad Girl?"

KWAKUDATSU Report

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#25

The Titanic Is Just A Movie, Right?

The Titanic Is Just A Movie, Right?

unknown Report

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

Canadians also think Star Wars was completely made up so I wouldn’t worry too much about what they think.

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#27

“I Am In Rhode Island”. “Nice, Ever Been To The USA Before”?

“I Am In Rhode Island”. “Nice, Ever Been To The USA Before”?

reddit.com Report

#28

Biden's America

Biden's America

unknown Report

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

*Random person falls down in Greece* “Biden’s America”.

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#29

"At Least American Toilets Aren't Just Holes In The Ground"

"At Least American Toilets Aren't Just Holes In The Ground"

RogueArtemis Report

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

Doesn't Angel Merkel just pee in the Spree ? Doesn't the queen's butler empty her chamber pot in the Thames every morning ?

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#30

What Does He Care? He's Not A Us Citizen, He's Not Effected

What Does He Care? He's Not A Us Citizen, He's Not Effected

sandiercy Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn’t realise that the US was global, oh wait, they do have the World Series which only the US plays in. so I guess it makes sense lol.

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#31

Would Love To See Some Of These Countries Try To F With Us

Would Love To See Some Of These Countries Try To F With Us

louckak Report

#32

“The White House Is Bigger Than All The Countries You Named”

“The White House Is Bigger Than All The Countries You Named”

theelleintraveller Report

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#33

"I'd Rather Receive False Information..."

"I'd Rather Receive False Information..."

Theemuts Report

#35

Commie Divas

Commie Divas

Gerceval_ Report

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

Ugh, this doesn't belong here. "Soccer" is a British word. Yes, the Americans took it and ran with it (no pun intended), but it originated in Oxford in about 1890. Americans didn't invent it.

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#36

(Sad) Mistake A North Korean Flag For A Texan Flag

(Sad) Mistake A North Korean Flag For A Texan Flag

GriffinFTW Report

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

Plot twist: they're holding a sign denouncing Kim Jong-un.

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#37

But We Can Pock Whatever Doctor Or Healthcare Insurer We Want! We Win

But We Can Pock Whatever Doctor Or Healthcare Insurer We Want! We Win

Mr_-_X Report

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

We can pick whatever doctor or hospital we want to be in debt to for the rest of our lives!

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#38

“They Started Faking An Accent”

“They Started Faking An Accent”

ArkhamKnight342 Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people believe that the Earth is 2000 years old. This one thinks it's 200 yo apparently

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#39

"[...]although My Ancestry Dna Gives Me Zero Italian Dna On My Dad's Side, I'll Stick With Being 1/4 Italian!"

"[...]although My Ancestry Dna Gives Me Zero Italian Dna On My Dad's Side, I'll Stick With Being 1/4 Italian!"

azulhombre Report

#40

"It's Amazing To See How Few Countries Know That "Soccer" Is The Correct Term"

"It's Amazing To See How Few Countries Know That "Soccer" Is The Correct Term"

Andros1510Ro Report

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#42

Is Mediterranean A Slur To Italians?

Is Mediterranean A Slur To Italians?

big-black-ramarro Report

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

I’m actually going to start using this! “Ugh, you’re *so* Mediterranean”.

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#43

Are We Acting Like That's Not Possible?

Are We Acting Like That's Not Possible?

DoUEvenCloudDistrict Report

#44

"American Deaths Are Worth More"

"American Deaths Are Worth More"

zzvu Report

#45

European Countries Don't Have Elections As They Are Too Poor To Pay For The Patent Rights

European Countries Don't Have Elections As They Are Too Poor To Pay For The Patent Rights

StrammerMax Report

#46

Wait Other Countries Didn't Have To Sing Their National Anthem Everyday At School For 12 Years???

Wait Other Countries Didn't Have To Sing Their National Anthem Everyday At School For 12 Years???

reddit.com Report

#47

The Real Heros Are The Ones Who Served The Us Military

The Real Heros Are The Ones Who Served The Us Military

A_Cat_Named_Frank Report

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#50

My Ancestors Are American And They Came From America

My Ancestors Are American And They Came From America

reddit.com Report

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

Maybe they are a 100% pure native american with a French surname and the Quebec province is a myth ? No. Definitely not. They are just an ignorant idiot.

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#51

Europe Is A Country

Europe Is A Country

unknown Report

Note: this post originally had 80 images. It’s been shortened to the top 51 images based on user votes.