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Some situations in life are so ironic, you might not know whether to laugh or to cry. But here at Bored Panda, we usually opt for the former, so today we’re focusing on some of the funniest instances of irony people have managed to catch on camera.

Covering all sorts of scenarios, from cycling on roads not meant for cycling, to Domino’s delivery mopeds falling like dominoes, and ironic fire alarms, among other things, the pictures ought to make you giggle; or facepalm. So, if you are looking to unwind with some amusing internet content, scroll down to find the irony-drenched pics on the list below, and make sure to upvote your favorites!

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    Oftentimes, something being ironic, makes it quite funny, too. That might be related to the fact that it is based on incongruity, which is also what one of the three main theories of humor is based on (the other two being the relief theory and the superiority theory).

    According to the incongruity theory, people find humor in unexpected twists and turns or in concepts that are fundamentally incompatible. Needless to say, a dog carrying around a “no dogs” sign, for instance, as well as other examples of irony on this list, surely provide some at least somewhat incompatible sights.

    #5

    In Court For Shoplifting

    In Court For Shoplifting

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    Trillian
    Community Member
    4 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But wouldn't the tags still be on if she bought it? This looks more like leaving the tags on so she can return it after wearing.

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    According to the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, discussing the role of incongruity in humor, the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, suggested that, “In everything that is to excite a lively laugh there must be something absurd (in which the understanding, therefore, can find no satisfaction). Laughter is an affection arising from the sudden transformation of a strained expectation into nothing.”

    #7

    My Wife Bought The Same Book Twice By Mistake. How Ironic

    My Wife Bought The Same Book Twice By Mistake. How Ironic

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    Coming back to Kant’s idea that laughter arises from the “sudden transformation of a strained expectation into nothing”, it’s not difficult to see why people would find the situations on this list amusing. Take an image of a truck that didn’t fit under a bridge, for instance; under regular circumstances, a person would expect the vehicle to drive underneath it with no problem. But when it can’t due to its height, the person’s expectations disappear, just like the top of the truck after colliding with the bridge.

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    Needless to say, the slogan on the truck saying “We fit” can only make the situation even funnier, thanks to both the incongruity and the irony in the situation.

    #11

    It's Fine, Not Like One Of These Cost $40

    It's Fine, Not Like One Of These Cost $40

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    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When smol, dad bought the cat a nice raised cat bed, all soft and protected and...no, she decided to sleep on an old towel draped over the chair arm, trying to put the towel in the bed to get her to sleep there just resulted in her carrying the towel back to the chair arm.

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    Though many people find irony amusing, quite a few might find it perplexing, too. In a piece for The MIT Press Reader, experimental psychologist, Professor of Psychology at the University of Memphis, and the author of Irony and Sarcasm, Roger J. Kreuz, delved deeper into the topic by covering how to “distinguish the notoriously slippery concept from its distant cousins coincidence, satire, parody, and paradox.”

    According to Kreuz, irony is something most people seem to understand, yet it’s surprisingly difficult to define. The fact that the same term is used to describe very different things does not really help in the situation, either.

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    #12

    I Think Zara Needs A Career Change

    I Think Zara Needs A Career Change

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    Clown fish
    Community Member
    9 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh she seen it, she just couldn't be bothered to tell anyone as they keep saying shes a fake lol

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    #14

    Deeply Ironic

    Deeply Ironic

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

    And it came with a note that explained that it would be the last one ever to be sent in plastic, a claim that they have so far lived up to.

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    Comparing coincidence and irony, Kreuz wrote that the two are more like cousins rather than siblings, as the concepts only share a few attributes in common. “Coincidences involve juxtaposition and incongruity, but they aren’t counterfactual and don’t involve pretense. They may allude to failed expectations, but they aren’t explicit echoes. Coincidences may involve victims, humor, or criticism, but they are rarely truly humorous or poignant.”

    The expert then continued to explain how irony differs from paradox, satire, and parody, and while all three are arguably something you’re well familiar with, discussing such differences might prove to be a challenge bigger than expected.

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    Another thing that might be quite difficult to distinguish from irony is sarcasm. In his series on irony, a Ted-Ed educator Christopher Warner explained that verbal irony refers to saying something when you mean the exact opposite, while being sarcastic is saying the opposite, too, but with an added intention of mocking the person or the situation.

    “Beware, though. While all sarcasm fits the definition of verbal irony, not all verbal irony is sarcastic. Verbal irony is where what is meant is the opposite of what is said, while sarcasm adds that little punch of attitude,” Warner noted.

    #18

    The Way My OCD Medication Is Packaged

    The Way My OCD Medication Is Packaged

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    Iampenny
    Community Member
    10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's just the manufacturer testing you to see if it works.

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    #19

    "We Fit" Halfords Lorry Wedged Under Rail Bridge On South Eden Park Road Near Eden Park Station

    "We Fit" Halfords Lorry Wedged Under Rail Bridge On South Eden Park Road Near Eden Park Station

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    #20

    Really?

    Really?

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    Lsai Aeon
    Community Member
    5 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This kind of bottle/lid is designed not to "close" it's designed to only let out soap when squeezed, My bet is someone squeezed it over the counter/sink and just left the mess 71RSWFbjjH...0eacef.jpg 71RSWFbjjHL_AC_UF350350_QL80_-670e5820eacef.jpg

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    If you wish to continue down this road and browse more of similar ironic content, continue to Bored Panda’s previous edition of some of the most ironic images, or take a look at these ironic moments next.

    #25

    My Friend Burned Herself. I Just Wish Something Would Have Warned Her It Was Hot

    My Friend Burned Herself. I Just Wish Something Would Have Warned Her It Was Hot

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    Passerby
    Community Member
    10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP must have reversed the image; otherwise it would say TOH.

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    #26

    No You Can't

    No You Can't

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    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    7 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    TNT is so terrible at their supposed work that they've been on my Revenge List for years. Smashing into a bridge seems pretty par for the course to me and not at all something I personally arranged.

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    #27

    I Moved The Flour Away From The Kid So He Wouldn't Make A Mess, And I Knocked It Off The Counter With My Elbow

    I Moved The Flour Away From The Kid So He Wouldn't Make A Mess, And I Knocked It Off The Counter With My Elbow

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    Nonna_SoF
    Community Member
    9 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First time my dad let me drive the 4 wheeler we where coming into a bay and I asked him to take over because I was worried about thin ice. Guess what happened...

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    #28

    It's All About Freedom

    It's All About Freedom

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    8 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Does a Homer!* edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAjar1GdqJY

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    #32

    The Saga Of The RoboVac Never Fails To Keep Us Busy. Irony At Its Best

    The Saga Of The RoboVac Never Fails To Keep Us Busy. Irony At Its Best

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    #33

    Accepting Resumes

    Accepting Resumes

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    les
    Community Member
    9 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my local coop manager (kirkwall, albert street) does this. i've watched people hand in applications and he just bins them right in front of you. i refuse to apply for a job there now because why should i waste my time when they do that shite

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    #34

    I Was Watching The Tour De France And Thought This Was Ironic And Funny

    I Was Watching The Tour De France And Thought This Was Ironic And Funny

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    Rod
    Community Member
    8 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This sign indicates the end of a mandatory bike lane not that bikes are not allowed on the road.

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    #36

    Freedom

    Freedom

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    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    10 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is because vandals keep attacking it, and locals do not like it. According to one place I found, it's not liked because it is a statue based on the film rather than actually related to Wallace himself, so is insulting.

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    #40

    "Memories Will Last Forever" Yeah Right

    "Memories Will Last Forever" Yeah Right

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    Myoviridae
    Community Member
    1 hour ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I honestly thought that would say "melanoma" until I looked closer.

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    #44

    The Irony Of This Sign At A Restaurant

    The Irony Of This Sign At A Restaurant

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    Will Cable
    Community Member
    10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You mean in my underwear on the couch with crumbs down me and dip balancing on my stomach. That is a terrifying thought for the camera to see that.

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    #47

    The Irony

    The Irony

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    Iampenny
    Community Member
    10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Obviously they've been going for over 5 hours and are now in the recharge phase.

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    #48

    Never Get High On Your Own Supply

    Never Get High On Your Own Supply

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    8 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, they seem to have indoor doors... https://dyo.slidingdoorco.com/ edit: also swing doors..

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    #52

    My Jerk Cat Knocks Over Entire Glass Of Juice On My Computer Desk During A Work Zoom Call. Mousepad Is The Irony

    My Jerk Cat Knocks Over Entire Glass Of Juice On My Computer Desk During A Work Zoom Call. Mousepad Is The Irony

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    #53

    Do I Go In Or?

    Do I Go In Or?

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    Roxy222uk
    Community Member
    2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The original Entrance sign is part of the metalwork, not really removable, so I can see the problem.

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    #54

    My Township Newsletter Delivered In A Plastic Bag

    My Township Newsletter Delivered In A Plastic Bag

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    #59

    Irony Is Dead

    Irony Is Dead

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    Will Cable
    Community Member
    10 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should have had a "Make it Eunuch" t-shirt but they didn't have the ...for it.

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    #62

    Irony: The Alcohol And Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Office Handing Out Bottle Opener Fidget Spinners

    Irony: The Alcohol And Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Office Handing Out Bottle Opener Fidget Spinners

    reddit.com Report

    #64

    Not Very Good Advertising

    Not Very Good Advertising

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    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    7 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me of a short story I read once about a conman who goes around peddling the most powerful glue ever made, except actually it stops working after a few hours (and by then he's skipped town). One day an old man comes to tell him that hey, he's invented a flying device, is he interested in investing? The device consists of a box glued to a strap you put around your wrist, and they go for a demo flight together. While the conman is thinking about how he's going to rip this guy off, his flying device falls apart and he plummets to his death. The old man is shocked because surely that couldn't have happened - he used the guy's own glue for that one! (It was written by Australian author Paul Jennings if you'd like to read more quirky short stories of this sort).

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    #65

    Just Found My Wife's "Safety Rocks" Pin From Her Work Vest On My Stairs With The Sharp End Sticking Up. My 5-Year-Old Has Ran Up And Down The Stairs Countless Times Today Already

    Just Found My Wife's "Safety Rocks" Pin From Her Work Vest On My Stairs With The Sharp End Sticking Up. My 5-Year-Old Has Ran Up And Down The Stairs Countless Times Today Already

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    #66

    When One Door Closes, Use The Other One

    When One Door Closes, Use The Other One

    N0ta_Bene Report

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    #67

    Wondering Why The Private Bag Is Clear

    Wondering Why The Private Bag Is Clear

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    #68

    I Think You're Doing It Wrong

    I Think You're Doing It Wrong

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    Mary
    Community Member
    2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those who don't get it the blue is coming off the building

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    #69

    This Fell Off My Girlfriend's Wall And Broke. She Didn't Get The Irony

    This Fell Off My Girlfriend's Wall And Broke. She Didn't Get The Irony

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    #73

    The Irony Of My Kid's Homework. She Has Severe Adhd, Got Distracted Halfway Through The Sentence And Never Finished It

    The Irony Of My Kid's Homework. She Has Severe Adhd, Got Distracted Halfway Through The Sentence And Never Finished It

    Winter-Owl1 Report

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    #77

    Like Signs Perhaps?

    Like Signs Perhaps?

    reddit.com Report

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    #79

    Is It Though?

    Is It Though?

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    #80

    Never Say Forever (Picture Was Taken A Year Ago, Still Makes Me Laugh)

    Never Say Forever (Picture Was Taken A Year Ago, Still Makes Me Laugh)

    Dogmatic_Catalyst Report

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    #81

    Claims To Be "Sonic Colours" But Is In Black And White

    Claims To Be "Sonic Colours" But Is In Black And White

    NibrocRock Report

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    #82

    Guess I'll Never Know

    Guess I'll Never Know

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    #84

    But There's No Hand Dryer

    But There's No Hand Dryer

    Cabryli Report

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    #85

    Literally The Only Bit That Rusts

    Literally The Only Bit That Rusts

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    #86

    When Life Gives You Rust, Slap On A Sticker

    When Life Gives You Rust, Slap On A Sticker

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