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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!

#2

An Employee Cleaning The Floor Of A Roomba Store

An Employee Cleaning The Floor Of A Roomba Store

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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

The Immigration Museum Is Looking Remarkable Accurate Right Now

The Immigration Museum Is Looking Remarkable Accurate Right Now

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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

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#7

This Is So Ironic

This Is So Ironic

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#8

Deeply Ironic

Deeply Ironic

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Dumb teenager
Community Member
2 weeks 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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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

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Trillian
Community Member
2 weeks 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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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

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#14

The Way My OCD Medication Is Packaged

The Way My OCD Medication Is Packaged

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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.

#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

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Clown fish
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#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

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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.

#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

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#20

Irony Is Dead

Irony Is Dead

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Will Cable
Community Member
2 weeks 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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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.

#23

My Friend Saw This At The Doctor's Office

My Friend Saw This At The Doctor's Office

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#25

Maybe They Want You To Struggle

Maybe They Want You To Struggle

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#26

Be Different It Is

Be Different It Is

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#27

No You Can't

No You Can't

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Beak Hookage
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#29

Saw This Tonight. It Gave Us All A Good Laugh

Saw This Tonight. It Gave Us All A Good Laugh

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#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

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#33

It's All About Freedom

It's All About Freedom

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WindySwede
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#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

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Nonna_SoF
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#35

Really?

Really?

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Lsai Aeon
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#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

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#39

Accepting Resumes

Accepting Resumes

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les
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#40

"Memories Will Last Forever" Yeah Right

"Memories Will Last Forever" Yeah Right

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#42

Absolutely None

Absolutely None

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

BILL POSTERS WILL BE PROSECUTED. I'm still not entirely clear on what Mr Posters did.

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#43

Nothing Indeed

Nothing Indeed

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#44

Stainless

Stainless

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Dumb teenager
Community Member
2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Think they spaced it wrong. Should read: Stain, less steel

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#45

Freedom

Freedom

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Kira Okah
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#46

Ironic Fire Alarm

Ironic Fire Alarm

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#47

The Irony Of This Sign At A Restaurant

The Irony Of This Sign At A Restaurant

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Will Cable
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#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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Rod
Community Member
2 weeks 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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#49

Too Easy

Too Easy

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WindySwede
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was the easy part, the rest didn't say it would be easy !

Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doesn't come close to trying to open a box of pancake mix. "Push top to open box…” Bullṡhit! It should read, "Jam a dent in the side of the cardboard with your thumb repeatedly to no avail. Swear at the box. Try and bite at box a little. Swear at the box again. Cut the whole damn top off, dump half of mix on floor, Swear at everything. Fủck it... go to McDonald's.

Riley Quinn
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those closable clear plastic containers for produce thwart me on a regular basis.

Christina Hvurchilova
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do you need easy open on every product? It's not a difficult task to open things.

nottheactualphoto
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes it is. See above for the tool to open StupidPacks, which is itself sealed in a StupidPack.

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#50

Oh, The Irony

Oh, The Irony

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

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