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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!

#1

He Doesn’t Understand Irony

He Doesn’t Understand Irony

Vyt3x Report

#2

An Employee Cleaning The Floor Of A Roomba Store

An Employee Cleaning The Floor Of A Roomba Store

broomshed Report

#3

I Honestly Don't Know If The Museum Is Open Or Not

I Honestly Don't Know If The Museum Is Open Or Not

5_Frog_Margin Report

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.

#4

A Protest I Can Really Get Behind

A Protest I Can Really Get Behind

DDiggler4U2 Report

#5

The Immigration Museum Is Looking Remarkable Accurate Right Now

The Immigration Museum Is Looking Remarkable Accurate Right Now

Bleedingdrumsmurphy Report

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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.”

#6

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

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

Nikefut12 Report

#7

This Is So Ironic

This Is So Ironic

reddit.com Report

#8

Deeply Ironic

Deeply 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.

#9

In Court For Shoplifting

In Court For Shoplifting

Rhashon Report

#10

This Church Number

This Church Number

MRlocro Report

#11

Well That Didn't Work

Well That Didn't Work

whampbeef Report

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

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

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

VolksDude Report

#13

Oh The Irony

Oh The Irony

hormonella Report

#14

The Way My OCD Medication Is Packaged

The Way My OCD Medication Is Packaged

reddit.com Report

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.

#15

I Dropped My Bob Ross Coffee Mug. The Irony Isn't Lost On Me

I Dropped My Bob Ross Coffee Mug. The Irony Isn't Lost On Me

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#16

I Think Zara Needs A Career Change

I Think Zara Needs A Career Change

Ellsbellsmoge Report

#17

A Limb Fell Off My Tree Last Night And Broke My Ax

A Limb Fell Off My Tree Last Night And Broke My Ax

Charles_Marlow Report

Another thing that might be quite difficult to distinguish from irony is sarcasm. In his series on irony, 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

Damn, This Guy Is Good

Damn, This Guy Is Good

LADbible Report

#19

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

BeastInTheDarkness Report

#20

Irony Is Dead

Irony Is Dead

Muzz27 Report

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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.

#21

Falling Like Domino

Falling Like Domino

BrendanCutler14 Report

#22

The Irony In This Photo

The Irony In This Photo

Arcade_Maggot_Bones Report

#23

My Friend Saw This At The Doctor's Office

My Friend Saw This At The Doctor's Office

reddit.com Report

#24

Irony At Its Finest

Irony At Its Finest

TheArcofGames Report

#25

Maybe They Want You To Struggle

Maybe They Want You To Struggle

egdip Report

#26

Be Different It Is

Be Different It Is

imgur.com Report

#27

No You Can't

No You Can't

reddit.com Report

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#28

"Follow Us To Quality Parking"

"Follow Us To Quality Parking"

jordanlund Report

#29

Saw This Tonight. It Gave Us All A Good Laugh

Saw This Tonight. It Gave Us All A Good Laugh

Cautious-Hornet4607 Report

#30

Trees Rock

Trees Rock

kaldoranz Report

#31

Oh The Irony

Oh The Irony

xthree Report

#32

"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

Kent_999s Report

#33

It's All About Freedom

It's All About Freedom

stewypls Report

#34

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

SubrinaSky Report

#35

Really?

Really?

kawaii_Bee Report

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#36

Very Biblical

Very Biblical

ConnairMoo2004 Report

#37

Safety First

Safety First

tricky3737 Report

#38

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

Arsis Report

#39

Accepting Resumes

Accepting Resumes

LindaThompson Report

#40

"Memories Will Last Forever" Yeah Right

"Memories Will Last Forever" Yeah Right

ChiefLovetree Report

#41

How My Hand Cream Arrived In The Mail

How My Hand Cream Arrived In The Mail

ShadyGoldfish Report

#42

Absolutely None

Absolutely None

johnn11238 Report

#43

Nothing Indeed

Nothing Indeed

reddit.com Report

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#44

Stainless

Stainless

reddit.com Report

#45

Freedom

Freedom

Urdrunkstepdady Report

#46

Ironic Fire Alarm

Ironic Fire Alarm

nvanw27 Report

#47

The Irony Of This Sign At A Restaurant

The Irony Of This Sign At A Restaurant

Nightshade183 Report

#48

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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#49

Too Easy

Too Easy

MariusIchigo Report

#50

Oh, The Irony

Oh, The Irony

davidwallacecto Report

Note: this post originally had 86 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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