ADVERTISEMENT

If it sounds stupid, looks stupid, quacks like stupid, but also (kinda) works, is it still stupid? The jury’s still out on this one. What we know for sure is that in the world of life hacks, even the weirdest ideas can still have merit. All it takes is a bit of creativity and the willingness to stick a broken key into a potato to make a new grip. Genius and madness are often two sides of the same coin, after all.

Our team over here at Bored Panda wanted to share some of that peculiar worldly wisdom with you, so we’ve compiled this list of the most bizarre life hacks that (sorta, kinda, surprisingly) work. Scroll on down and remember to upvote the ones that impressed you the most, as well as the ones that got you giggling so hard, you had to take a five-minute break. Got a particular fave hack that you can’t wait to share with all of your friends semi-seriously? Let us know which one it was in the comments.

Who better to help navigate the world of silliness than a comedian? Comedy writer and musical stand-up comedian Ariane Sherine put an end to the age-old discussion about whether or not something's dumb if it works. "It’s actually very smart, and it’s a shame if people don’t use it through fear of looking dumb!" she told Bored Panda. Read on for the rest of our interview with Ariane.

In the mood for some more hacks and even more laughs to boost your mood? You’ll find our earlier posts about silly but functional life hacks over here and right here. Bon appétit.

#1

Relationship Hacks 101

Relationship Hacks 101

docatcdi Report

You May Also Like:
#2

Get Your Roommate To Clean The Apartment

Get Your Roommate To Clean The Apartment

austinlockedup Report

#3

Solve Your Problems

Solve Your Problems

LeBearGirdle Report

British comedian Ariane explained that human beings tend to look down on ideas that sound dumb on a theoretical level because we want to appear much more intelligent than we might actually be. It's all to do with our (perceived) reputations!

"Everybody wants to think they’re smart (even if they’re actually Donald Trump!) and people hate feeling stupid or being duped. If a piece of advice doesn’t sound helpful, I guess people who see themselves as clever will automatically reject it rather than try it and risk feeling dumb," she shared with Bored Panda.

#4

How To Get A Free Gift For Your Wedding

How To Get A Free Gift For Your Wedding

behindyourback Report

#5

If It's Stupid And It Works It's Not Stupid

If It's Stupid And It Works It's Not Stupid

cindaysaur Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#6

My Dad Apparently Sneaks His Remote Into A Local Bar So He Can Change The Channel When He Doesn’t Like What’s On. I’m Equally Embarrassed And Impressed

My Dad Apparently Sneaks His Remote Into A Local Bar So He Can Change The Channel When He Doesn’t Like What’s On. I’m Equally Embarrassed And Impressed

BandoLou Report

Meanwhile, Ariane, just like us, is a huge fan of avocados. Not surprisingly, her favorite life hack has to do with them and how they have an "inbult ripeness sensor" that lets you tell if the avocado is overripe or still green (yes, yes, they're always green, but you know what we mean!).

"You know how hard it is to tell whether an avocado’s ripe before cutting into it? Simply twist the stem. If it doesn’t come off, it’s underripe; if it comes off and is green underneath, it’s ripe; if it’s brown underneath, it’s overripe. Voila—no more rock hard or mushy grey avocados!" she shared, adding that she has, just us, found that supermarkets promoting 'ripe' avocados tend to lie about just how ripe they really are.

#7

Life Hack 100

Life Hack 100

Jeffjjsjz Report

#8

Unethical Life Pro Tips

Unethical Life Pro Tips

TheAndrewNadeau Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

If You Stain A Shirt, You Can Simply Outline The Stain With A Sharpie And Give It A Name. This Will Make It Seam Like You Visit Islands

If You Stain A Shirt, You Can Simply Outline The Stain With A Sharpie And Give It A Name. This Will Make It Seam Like You Visit Islands

joecool32 Report

Life hacks come in all shapes and sizes. From tiny modifications to how you go about your day for increased efficiency to some seriously out-of-the-box thinking that stays with you, changing your entire perception about life and how you’ve been living it.

#10

Learn When To Cry

Learn When To Cry

lawyerman_ktk Report

#11

Modify Your Online Workout By Turning It Off

Modify Your Online Workout By Turning It Off

morgan_murphy Report

#12

Shark Attack

Shark Attack

DrakeGatsby Report

In short, life hacks are concentrated bits of worldly wisdom that people have picked up during their lives. We’ve all got at least a few pearls of wisdom that we can share with others, but we’re sometimes not aware that it’s something that others wouldn’t know about.

#13

If It Works It's Not Stupid

If It Works It's Not Stupid

personathethird Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#14

How To Hack Life

How To Hack Life

human_dis4ster Report

#15

How To Be "Productive"

How To Be "Productive"

gwatsky Report

While some life hacks we pick up from others, improving them to fit our needs, others are, as Bob Ross would say, “happy little accidents.” It just goes to show that even when we think that we’ve got life all figured out, a small slip or mistake can actually be an opportunity to live life better. I mean, I probably won’t use a potato as a key handle until I absolutely have to, but it’s good to have the idea about how flexible I can be somewhere in the back of my head.

#16

Smart

Smart

marklutchman Report

#17

Gym Tip

Gym Tip

ronnui_ Report

#18

How To Avoid Conversations

How To Avoid Conversations

Report

ADVERTISEMENT

For the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, practical wisdom (also known as practical rationality or ‘phronesis’) was the highest intellectual virtue. “Phronesis is the complicated interactions between general (theory) and practical (judgment),” one paper explains.

#19

I Figured Out You Don’t Actually Have To Assemble These Things

I Figured Out You Don’t Actually Have To Assemble These Things

ImWadeYo Report

#20

My Brother Wanted To Measure The Trees In His Yard. This Is How Did He Did It

My Brother Wanted To Measure The Trees In His Yard. This Is How Did He Did It

Shwnwllms Report

#21

Well If It Works It Works

Well If It Works It Works

Potter_Pegasus Report

While we might not immediately link life hacks to something as profound as Aristotelean philosophy, they do hold some things in common, specifically the practical and correct application of theoretical knowledge. And considering that some of these life hacks help solve real-world issues (however small they might be), they shouldn’t be dismissed despite how dumb they might sound on a purely theoretical level.

#22

Zip It Up

Zip It Up

doublewenis Report

#23

Test Your Hairstyles On Your Kids

Test Your Hairstyles On Your Kids

momjeansplease Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#24

If You’re Broke And Can’t Afford Coasters Grab Some Flooring Samples From Home Depot. They Are Free And Come In A Variety Of Colors And Finishes

If You’re Broke And Can’t Afford Coasters Grab Some Flooring Samples From Home Depot. They Are Free And Come In A Variety Of Colors And Finishes

Jaunt- Report

Life hacks might not be as mighty as author John Bradshaw explains in his book ‘Reclaiming Virtue’ (i.e. practical wisdom being “the ability to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason”), but they are a reflection of humankind’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges, from the tiny and ridiculous to the profound and consequential. There’s nothing wrong with MacGyvering a solution if conventional knowledge fails us!

#25

Life Pro Tip

Life Pro Tip

StagnantSoldier0947 Report

#26

Started Staining The Deck And Needed To Keep The Dog Off The Deck Boards. Solution Found

Started Staining The Deck And Needed To Keep The Dog Off The Deck Boards. Solution Found

brotatohead Report

#27

When Your Landlord Says "No Dogs!"

When Your Landlord Says "No Dogs!"

Belazur Report

But what life hacks do you have to share with all the other Pandas? Are they something that you discovered by accident or did you see them somewhere? Do you believe that life hacks can be considered to be successful if they’re really dumb but work? What’s the absolute stupidest life hack you’ve ever seen that still (kinda, sorta, surprisingly) works? Let us know what you think below.

ADVERTISEMENT
#28

If It's Stupid And It Works It Ain't Stupid

If It's Stupid And It Works It Ain't Stupid

mrbik225 Report

#29

How To Have Fun As A Parent

How To Have Fun As A Parent

i-like-to-be-wooshed Report

#30

Meanwhile This Person Is Living In 3018

Meanwhile This Person Is Living In 3018

Report

#31

Finally A Useful “Life Hack”

Finally A Useful “Life Hack”

UltraThiccBoi69 Report

#32

5 Second Rule

5 Second Rule

life_lamp Report

#33

Vaccinate Your Computer

Vaccinate Your Computer

soap86882 Report

#34

A Flood Can Be A Great Opportunity To Turn Your Home Into An Aquarium

A Flood Can Be A Great Opportunity To Turn Your Home Into An Aquarium

MarticZtn Report

#35

Stay Thin Y’all

Stay Thin Y’all

knightsglow Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#36

Because It’s Sunny I Want To Work Outside But It’s So Bright I Can’t Really See The Screen. Putting Your Laptop In A Box Blocks Out The Light, So Your Laptop Screen Is Bright. It Also Keeps Laptop Cooler

Because It’s Sunny I Want To Work Outside But It’s So Bright I Can’t Really See The Screen. Putting Your Laptop In A Box Blocks Out The Light, So Your Laptop Screen Is Bright. It Also Keeps Laptop Cooler

benlouislebu Report

#37

Hmmm

Hmmm

worx777 Report

#38

In Todays Episode Of Slavic Science

In Todays Episode Of Slavic Science

Report

#39

Efficient Way To Get Drunk During Quarantine

Efficient Way To Get Drunk During Quarantine

BennyWillard Report

#40

My 12 Year Old Son Modified His Bike With Carpet For Barefoot Riding

My 12 Year Old Son Modified His Bike With Carpet For Barefoot Riding

flaglerite Report

#41

Independent Fact Checkers Show This Is True

Independent Fact Checkers Show This Is True

JackWilliamRtF Report

#42

Afraid Those Lottery Tickets You Got For Stocking Stuffers Might Actually Be Winners?

Afraid Those Lottery Tickets You Got For Stocking Stuffers Might Actually Be Winners?

udunn0jb Report

#43

You Have The Power

You Have The Power

kuttymcwrists Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#44

The Man Sitting In Front Of Me On The Train Is Using A Twix As A Pillow

The Man Sitting In Front Of Me On The Train Is Using A Twix As A Pillow

star_man_u Report

#45

Steal Big

Steal Big

seangentille Report

#46

Shopping Life Hack

Shopping Life Hack

derekedwardsgb Report

#47

If Your Key Breaks In Half, Just Stick It Into A Potato Like My Friend Did This Morning

If Your Key Breaks In Half, Just Stick It Into A Potato Like My Friend Did This Morning

sgape Report

#48

Cool Your Backside Off On A Hot Day By Pressing It Against The Cold Door

Cool Your Backside Off On A Hot Day By Pressing It Against The Cold Door

_ThatSynGirl_ Report

#49

The Real Aristotle

The Real Aristotle

venusianbabie Report

#50

Cutting Your Tennis Balls In Half Allows You To Store Two More Balls In Each Can, Saving Space

Cutting Your Tennis Balls In Half Allows You To Store Two More Balls In Each Can, Saving Space

fantafano Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#51

I Guess It's Not Stupid If It Works (Planted 300 Bulbs In 2 Hours)

I Guess It's Not Stupid If It Works (Planted 300 Bulbs In 2 Hours)

ChickenPotPi Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#52

Pistachio Nut And A Dab Of Glue Saved The Day

Pistachio Nut And A Dab Of Glue Saved The Day

Iwanttoplaytoo Report

#53

A Tube To Prevent Phone Distractions During Conversation

A Tube To Prevent Phone Distractions During Conversation

Meow Wolf Report

#54

New Workout Plan

New Workout Plan

gavhimself_ Report

#55

Car Hacks #1

Car Hacks #1

adakshad Report

#56

It's Not Stupid If It Works!

It's Not Stupid If It Works!

Wuslus Report

#57

Some Of My Succulents Don’t Like Full Full Sun... So I Bought Them Some Shade. It’s Not Dumb If It Works, Right?

Some Of My Succulents Don’t Like Full Full Sun... So I Bought Them Some Shade. It’s Not Dumb If It Works, Right?

Canary1226 Report

#58

Pretend That Money Isn’t An Issue For Becoming A Responsible Adult

Pretend That Money Isn’t An Issue For Becoming A Responsible Adult

technicallyron Report

#59

Fake Your Height, Get The Vaccine Early

Fake Your Height, Get The Vaccine Early

LiamThorpECHO Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#60

Play Vacuum Sounds On Youtube When You Don’t Feel Like Vacuuming

Play Vacuum Sounds On Youtube When You Don’t Feel Like Vacuuming

calltaflighter Report

#61

Life Hack

Life Hack

D_empiricist Report

#62

DIY Smoke Detector

DIY Smoke Detector

_h4cHi Report

#63

Store Your Gum In Your Pill Bottle So People Don't Ask You For Gum

Store Your Gum In Your Pill Bottle So People Don't Ask You For Gum

banterpapi69_ Report

#64

Use A Fork In Case You Haven’t Mastered Chopsticks Yet

Use A Fork In Case You Haven’t Mastered Chopsticks Yet

reddit.com Report

#65

Put Your Beer In A Coffee Mug So Nobody At Work Knows You’re Drinking

Put Your Beer In A Coffee Mug So Nobody At Work Knows You’re Drinking

ReddicaPolitician Report

#66

If It's Stupid And It Works, It Ain't Stupid

If It's Stupid And It Works, It Ain't Stupid

jelly_bean_gangbang Report

#67

Keep The Gas Turned On So Your Partner Doesn't Have To Make Too Much Effort While Heating Their Dinner

Keep The Gas Turned On So Your Partner Doesn't Have To Make Too Much Effort While Heating Their Dinner

MohanBhargava Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#68

Claim You’re Under 21 To Avoid Paying For Alcohol

Claim You’re Under 21 To Avoid Paying For Alcohol

Aris-Totally Report

#69

How To Make Your Double Bacon Cheeseburger Healthier

How To Make Your Double Bacon Cheeseburger Healthier

BadHealthAdvice Report

#70

How To Make Your Child Live Longer

How To Make Your Child Live Longer

Yukanahirau Report

#71

Knowing When To Shower

Knowing When To Shower

Mom_Overboard Report

#72

Take An Item That Is About To Expire And Place It Into Another Container Without An Expiration Date To Make It Last Forever

Take An Item That Is About To Expire And Place It Into Another Container Without An Expiration Date To Make It Last Forever

multipath_tcp Report

#73

Dad’s “Life Hack” Didn’t Make Mom As Happy As He Hoped

Dad’s “Life Hack” Didn’t Make Mom As Happy As He Hoped

PhallusSea Report

#74

If You Wear Contacts, Leave Them In A Cup Of Coffee Overnight. Instant Sunglasses

If You Wear Contacts, Leave Them In A Cup Of Coffee Overnight. Instant Sunglasses

xippix Report

#75

My Daughter's Job Only Allows Black Pants And No Rips. Her Normal Pair Was Still In The Washer So She Hacked It. Will It Work?

My Daughter's Job Only Allows Black Pants And No Rips. Her Normal Pair Was Still In The Washer So She Hacked It. Will It Work?

IndoorNewb Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#76

Husband's Bedside Cup Holder

Husband's Bedside Cup Holder

rosiesugarpie Report

#77

If It Works It Aint Stupid

If It Works It Aint Stupid

RollinBart Report

#78

If It Works It's Not Stupid

If It Works It's Not Stupid

DanielFranko Report

#79

If You Don't Like The Sauce You Used On Your Pasta, Just Wash It In Washing Machine

If You Don't Like The Sauce You Used On Your Pasta, Just Wash It In Washing Machine

ApplyBurnHeal Report

#80

It's Not Stupid If It Works. Two Dollar Bumper Buddies

It's Not Stupid If It Works. Two Dollar Bumper Buddies

JustaBabyApe Report

#81

If It Is Stupid But It Works, It Ain't Stupid

If It Is Stupid But It Works, It Ain't Stupid

cipher0_ Report

#82

If It Looks Stupid, But It Works, It Ain't Stupid

If It Looks Stupid, But It Works, It Ain't Stupid

Cinema7D Report

#83

This Is How My Auntie Blocks Ads From Her Computer Screen

This Is How My Auntie Blocks Ads From Her Computer Screen

itswallsss Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#84

Store A Paint Brush With Your Paint To Keep It From Drying Out And Have One Handy

Store A Paint Brush With Your Paint To Keep It From Drying Out And Have One Handy

minimur12 Report

#85

An Easy Way To Take Sneak Your Gameboy Into Class

An Easy Way To Take Sneak Your Gameboy Into Class

firmeyecontact Report

#86

No More Tears In The Kitchen

No More Tears In The Kitchen

SashaEitan Report

#87

Best Way To Make Money

Best Way To Make Money

Athavan609 Report

#88

Getting Windows

Getting Windows

chanchan05 Report

#89

Turn A Double Light Switch Into A Single With An Extra Wide Bag Clip

Turn A Double Light Switch Into A Single With An Extra Wide Bag Clip

dtaivp Report

#90

Want To Get The Covid Vaccine In NC Sooner? You Have 22 Days To Smoke 100 Cigarettes

Want To Get The Covid Vaccine In NC Sooner? You Have 22 Days To Smoke 100 Cigarettes

JoeBrunoWSOC9 Report

#91

Wife Hack

Wife Hack

Pillowburn Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#92

Work With Everything

Work With Everything

ChrisHallbeck Report

#93

A Backboard “Fix” Done By One Of My Neighbors

A Backboard “Fix” Done By One Of My Neighbors

MachoLad77 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#94

Swap Out Tires From A Rental Car

Swap Out Tires From A Rental Car

RubbaBand_Grant Report

#95

How To Have A Clean Break Up

How To Have A Clean Break Up

RayInRed Report

#96

Don't Have Any Money? Check In Your Wallet - You May Have Left A Couple Of Bucks In There At Some Point

Don't Have Any Money? Check In Your Wallet - You May Have Left A Couple Of Bucks In There At Some Point

_meetmeinmontauk_ Report

#97

Saved Myself From Having To Wash A Bowl

Saved Myself From Having To Wash A Bowl

HT2TranMustReenlist Report

#98

If It Looks Stupid But Working, It Ain't Stupid

If It Looks Stupid But Working, It Ain't Stupid

riashatrafat Report

#99

My 11-Year-Old Sister Put A Plastic Ziplock Bag Over Bowl So She Doesn’t Have To Clean It

My 11-Year-Old Sister Put A Plastic Ziplock Bag Over Bowl So She Doesn’t Have To Clean It

Somespooky Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#100

If You Run Out Of Mobile Data, Just Snap Out That Emergency Sim Card From Your Credit Card

 If You Run Out Of Mobile Data, Just Snap Out That Emergency Sim Card From Your Credit Card

7XavierL Report

#101

Use Your Retractable Armrest For Maximum Driving Comfort

Use Your Retractable Armrest For Maximum Driving Comfort

Colgatederpful Report

#102

Charge Your Phone Twice As Fast By Plugging It In While It’s On A Wireless Charger

Charge Your Phone Twice As Fast By Plugging It In While It’s On A Wireless Charger

kronicpimpin Report

#103

It's Not Stupid If It Works

It's Not Stupid If It Works

marcocet Report

#104

Get Shoes Polished Free In An Airport

Get Shoes Polished Free In An Airport

reddit.com Report

#105

It's Not Stupid If It Works

It's Not Stupid If It Works

ManPlan78 Report

#106

Its Not Stupid If It Works!

Its Not Stupid If It Works!

AshleyDoran Report

#107

The Perfect Towel Holder Doesn't Exis...

The Perfect Towel Holder Doesn't Exis...

spammington Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#108

Neat Cable Holder

Neat Cable Holder

Inotlife Report