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50 Of The Most Ironic Images That Show The Universe Has A Great Sense Of Humor (New Pics)
Some days, you can’t help but feel that the universe not only works in mysterious ways but also has a great sense of humor. Believing that people will act a certain way or signs will commit to what they are saying, you often don’t expect they’ll do the exact opposite. And that’s what makes it so ludicrous.
The world is full of unpredicted things, you just have to keep your eyes open. From manually cleaning an iRobot store to humorous health inspection awards, people who stumbled upon something so accidentally ironic just had to take a picture and share it with the whole web.
Bored Panda has scoured the internet and compiled a list of some of the finest ironic moments for you to enjoy. So get ready to have a good laugh and upvote your favorite ones! And if you’re hungry for some more hilarious situations, be sure to check out our previous posts right here and here.
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Shell And Cif, The Destroyers Of Planets, Eliminators Of Lifeforms
Oh The Irony
This Year Thousands Of Men Will Die From Stubbornness
Everyone loves a delicious bit of irony from time to time. When we stumble upon these unexpected moments, they get easily stuck in our heads—after all, we know irony when we see it. But when it comes to defining the term and expressing it with words, many people have difficulties.
The most basic definition of this term is a conflict between what’s expected and what occurs. To learn more about irony and its humorous nature, we reached out to Roger J. Kreuz, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and an associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Memphis.
In his recent book, Irony and Sarcasm, Kreuz goes into great detail in explaining how and why these words “are two of the most misused, misapplied, and misunderstood words in our conversational lexicon.”
I'm No Rocket Surgeon But
This Is How We Roll In My Town
At Least Irony Isn't Made In China
While many of us instinctively understand when a situation is ironic, it can be hard to articulate it. The professor said that the reason behind this is that “the perception of irony is triggered by violations of implicit assumptions that we have about the world and how it is supposed to work.”
“In most cases, we aren’t even aware of these assumptions until we encounter something incongruous or peculiar that contradicts our expectations,” he added. Kreuz provided a couple of examples:
- You encounter a sign with a misspelling in front of a store. Not a big deal – mistakes happen. Not irony.
- You see a sign in front of a school. Many schools have such signs, so nothing surprising about that. Not irony.
- You see a sign in front of a school that reads “We are committed to excellense.” Educators are supposed to know how to spell, so the juxtaposition of the message, the mistake, and its very public location triggers a sense of irony.
What If?
I’m sorry, but this is inconsiderate. Many people who state their religion as an excuse and do horrible things are indeed Christian, but it’s not a religion-based thing, every religion has those kinds of psychos. Christianity does not deserve to be put down like this and be called a lie; calling someone’s beliefs and integrity a lie is not the way to building equality between religions and cultures. Please, let’s try to accept other cultures instead of bashing down the ones of others.
The problem with Christianity, at least here in the US, is that it is the religion trying legislate morality and force their ethics onto our society via political means. There is no other religion doing that on a nationwide scale. Francis of Assisi is attributed as saying "Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary." It seems as if most Christians these days do the reverse.
Load More Replies...Wtf is wrong with y’all? Yes, I get it, this church was stupid to put up this sign. Yes, I get it, some Christians can be hateful and annoyingly agnostic. Becoming a hater yourself doesn’t help the situation. Religiophobes (haters who discriminate based on religion) are no better than racists, sexists, homophobes, transphobes, ableists, and any other hateful prejudiced low-lifes on this planet. You’ve now outed yourself as a hater. Congrats.
Oh my god! Not homophones! But seriously - you are comparing people being discriminated against because of WHO THEY PHYSICALLY ARE vs. people being discriminated against because of believing in and letting their life be ruled by a fairy tale. I give the same respect to people who are fanatics about Harry Potter or Donald Trump's made-up worlds.
Load More Replies...If you didn’t, we can make sure you do for a minimal fee of at least 10% of your income.
Put this on a mosque or Hindu temple, etc. and it would be called bad taste to make fun of it.
That’s kind of the point, you won’t find this sign on a mosque or a temple.
Load More Replies...I can see how this would be funny to a certain group of people. But posting it on here, as if everyone will find it funny feels insensitive. However, I feel fine when these posts make fun of flat earthers, so, I dunno. Maybe I'm hypocritical, and we all just have to suck it up.
Wow. Christianity is such an important part of many peoples cultures and ethnic identities. I can’t believe how much hate there is on boredpanda sometimes…just because you don’t believe it yourself doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
But just because you believe it does not mean it's true. Goes both ways.
Load More Replies...I stopped believing that lie at age 7, sat in a freezing Church (Eversley, Hampshire) listening to a fatuous grown-up tell me god was everywhere if I needed to talk to him! "Yeah? So why drag me here to this fridge you built, fŭckwit?"
Your choice and you have a right to believe what you believe. No need to hate ppl.
Load More Replies...I didn't interpret this as "Christianity is a lie" but as "there is no God". So not slagging on Christians here, more like all religions.
Yk what yall... can we please stop hating on everyone? I understand you don't agree with one another, but it's no excuse to be so awful to each other. As a human being, it's my understanding that we should be kind to our fellow humans, not tear them down over something as trivial as a worldview. Yall are preaching on your soapboxes about inclusion and acceptance, and yet you turn a blind eye when it comes to religion. Yes, I understand that some "Christians" are horrible, disgusting people, but as a Christian, I can tell you we are called to love EVERYONE, not just other Christians (see the Epistles). Please stop attacking one another (both sides please) and learn to get along. It's just a joke, and granted, this joke is hurtful, but don't make it worse. Sorry for the rant
I would rather believe there IS and find out there isn't..than think there ISN'T and find out there IS! Ponder that
Let's break things down a bit, shall we? 1) This sign is fundamentally disrespectful to nonchristians. It asks an existential question and implies an answer other than theirs is wrong. 2) Someone thought that the sign was ironic and posted it 3) people got upset about something they saw as rude/mean to Christians 4) people complained about how treating someone differently because of (their Christan) beliefs is unfair but 1)....
Everybody is so brave charging agains't Christians. I dare you say the same to Mediterranean and middle east teocracies.
Had many fascinating conversations with priests who tried to explain how the human race survived with no mention, in the bible, of who Adam and Eve's son impregnated.
What if you were told the same lie you're whole life and never were check it out. How many little kids don't care if their best friend is black or brown? What if it's never been a lie? Truth never has to remember what the story is. It's the same and will be the same while the lies get tweaked and bigger with every telling.
When opinions and Personal beliefs are mistaken as truth and facts. Common in religion, politics and social media.
I dont know why you got downvoted because I'm having a hard time figuring it out too. I'm not Christian, I'm just stupid lol
Load More Replies...* screams* *punches computer* *screaming as i cant belive it still works*
I don't see any reference to any religion in this sign. Why do so many people assume it refers to their own religion? It could be about racism, or belief that kitchens have to be red and bedrooms have to be blue. Or that smoking can't hurt you.
It’s a church, I don’t think they’re talking about interior decorating.
Load More Replies...Wow.... this is so disrespectful. Congratulations bored panda, I hope you're proud of yourself 👏
LOOK WHAT YOU DID BORED PANDA! On the other hand, everyone should respect each other, regardless of what you believe, except for David Stuckey, no one should respect him because he's just full of s**t and he should have a million downvotes and he should die at the hands of someone.
All you Christian people on these comments, just stop saying that God is real to those who don't believe it. It's like how you don't want people saying that God doesn't exist.
No...I grew out of believing that fairy tale after my brain fully developed.
Yeah, prove it. Oh, but "proof denies faith", right? How convenient... Just stop pushing your fairy tales on people and laws.
Load More Replies...Man Experiences Irony, 1966
Pharmacy Puts Their Back Pain Stuff On The Bottom Shelf
Handle Broke
“In a similar way, a destroyed book is not ironic, and a book about dog training isn’t either,” the professor continued. But if you juxtapose them and see Dog Training for Dummies being destroyed by your furry four-legged friend: “Voilà, irony!”
One thing that many people tend to mix up is verbal irony and sarcasm. These two words often are used interchangeably, yet they’re not the same. “Irony is often triggered by situations and involves incongruity, juxtaposition, and unexpectedness. Sarcasm, on the other hand, is typically verbal,” Kreuz told Bored Panda.
“It often makes use of irony to criticize someone else, or to be humorous. But not all sarcasm involves irony, which is why people are often confused about these terms.”
Things Have Gone Wrong Somewhere
This might look funny but only 50 percent went wrong, if that. I will say that dogs should not be in strollers and shouldn't be bred to the point where they are not dogs anymore. But kids on a leash - that is a good thing! It makes the outings much safer. Such small kids, even if very well behaved and disciplined don't yet have a brain yet that can compute consequences. The world is fast and dangerous. The leash can make sure they never disappear on you when for 2 seconds you're looking at what the other one is doing, and can't run ahead enough to be hit by a car. I used to be a nanny and I refused to take the 3 year old out until I was given one of these. I was still holding her hand and she was a very good little lady, but it made me feel safer to know that she can't just dart out on a whim as we're crossing a million roads to school.
Anti-Chew Spray
Found This Old Apple Slogan. Times Sure Have Changed
And talking about why many of us find it comical when we come across an ironic sign, poster, or image, Kreuz mentioned that we think it’s amusing because it’s almost like solving a puzzle. “When we spot the incongruity, we can be amused, and then perhaps consider ourselves to be a little superior compared to those who don’t ’get the joke.’”
Looking through this list, you can’t help but feel reminded to expect the unexpected and chuckle at the ups and downs of life. After all, ironic billboards, posters, and situations are lurking all around us, just waiting to be captured and shared with people in great need of a laugh or two.
Dog Came To The Vet Today For Swallowing A Monopoly Piece
This Subway Is Telling People To Eat Next Door
The Irony
We B Smokin’
Noticed Our Stroller Felt A Little Weird, Found Out There’s A Pin Stuck In The Tire. The Pin Is Very Ironic
Finding A Way
Thank You For Driving Carefully
Definition Of Irony
Now What?
Except That
There Was An Attempt To Stop The Seagulls
Nestled Away In A Small Local Newspaper Is The Greatest And Most Ironic Ad Ever
Took This After Lunch At The Restaurant. At Least The Irony Is Delicious
Well
A Machine Came Thru My Local John Deere For Repairs From The Tornado In Kentucky
Spotted In A Walmart Parking Lot Today
We Always Get Each Other Ironic Gifts, My Little Sister Killed It This Year: Batteries Not Included
I Mean
For Christmas 2019, My Boss Gifted Us With 1 Work From Home Day In 2020
Earth Day Run Irony
Well Isn’t That Ironic
*puts these in my printer, runs out of magenta immediately, buys new of these, print heads are misaligned, i waste all the cyan doing the test thing, i buy more of these, they're incompatible because they have drm somehow, i give up and throw my printer into an active volcano*
Made In China
“This Is Not Style. This Is Stupidity”
That's Some Fine Irony
He Knew It Would Come To This One Day
This A Little Infuriating Exchange On A Dating App
Literally
Oh The Irony
Picking Up Plastic On The Beach Today... The Irony
Cut to shot of a single tear trickling down David Attenborough's cheek
Our Youngest Son Has A Taste For Irony
Breakable
Goddammit
Put some water in, bring to a boil. The sticker will slide right off.
You Can't Do It
Irony
There Was Flooding Where I Live Recently. Ironic
The Irony Here Is Amazing. Never Tell Me The Odds
The Left Door Perfectly Describes The Right Door's Condition
It’s all the same content over and over now. I am taking this site off my favorites now
Load More Replies...Many years ago I was part of a group hired for a project and management was pleased enough with our performance to buy a "quality" award for everyone. It consisted of a clear lucite pyramid with a little clock in it and the word "Quality" stamped on it. I took mine out of the box, set it on my desk, and watched as the little clock fell out of it, face down on the desk top.
Math isn't my strong suit, but why does a post titled "120 images..." only contain 50 images?
they shorten it ( for some reason unbeknownst to man ) and add a hyperlink at the end to take you to the og url
Load More Replies...When my 1st child was born the pediatrician 's name was Dr. NEWBORN
Most of these aren't ironic in any sense of the word. They're just coincidental.
Is the irony that most of these photos aren't ironic, like the Alanis Morissette song? Is the irony that the article BP inserts between photos that no one reads, explaining the very definition of irony and that people find it very hard to identify, and then the photos proved that?
We have a pear tree, and occasionally make cider. On a fruit pressing day, we have a few friends over to help, we generally pick up Chinese food to make things easier. This showed up on such a day. Couldn't get over it... 11934531_1...b72f23.jpg
Fun to read! Now that I have had my morning chuckles, I can face the day! Thank you!
So many of those were not actually irony! Irony means being the opposite.
it's a glitch, if you click on the comments for each you'll see that the same people said the same things. try refreshing your browser
Load More Replies...What are you talking about? George Bernard Shaw was not a woman. Pygmalion was based off the Greek myth of a sculptor who fell in love with his sculpture of a woman, his own "ideal woman" that he created himself. Either you're completely daft or you're a total troll. But either way you're dumb.
Load More Replies...It’s all the same content over and over now. I am taking this site off my favorites now
Load More Replies...Many years ago I was part of a group hired for a project and management was pleased enough with our performance to buy a "quality" award for everyone. It consisted of a clear lucite pyramid with a little clock in it and the word "Quality" stamped on it. I took mine out of the box, set it on my desk, and watched as the little clock fell out of it, face down on the desk top.
Math isn't my strong suit, but why does a post titled "120 images..." only contain 50 images?
they shorten it ( for some reason unbeknownst to man ) and add a hyperlink at the end to take you to the og url
Load More Replies...When my 1st child was born the pediatrician 's name was Dr. NEWBORN
Most of these aren't ironic in any sense of the word. They're just coincidental.
Is the irony that most of these photos aren't ironic, like the Alanis Morissette song? Is the irony that the article BP inserts between photos that no one reads, explaining the very definition of irony and that people find it very hard to identify, and then the photos proved that?
We have a pear tree, and occasionally make cider. On a fruit pressing day, we have a few friends over to help, we generally pick up Chinese food to make things easier. This showed up on such a day. Couldn't get over it... 11934531_1...b72f23.jpg
Fun to read! Now that I have had my morning chuckles, I can face the day! Thank you!
So many of those were not actually irony! Irony means being the opposite.
it's a glitch, if you click on the comments for each you'll see that the same people said the same things. try refreshing your browser
Load More Replies...What are you talking about? George Bernard Shaw was not a woman. Pygmalion was based off the Greek myth of a sculptor who fell in love with his sculpture of a woman, his own "ideal woman" that he created himself. Either you're completely daft or you're a total troll. But either way you're dumb.
Load More Replies...