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Hmmm. Hmmm? Hmmm! Allow us to introduce you to r/hmmm, a popular online community on Reddit that boasts over 1.8 million members, who call themselves internet aesthetes, and search the world wide web for artistic, meaningful, odd, and obscure photos. ‘Hmmm’ (technically written with a lowercase ‘h’) is the sound of deep thinking as you contemplate the weirdness of out-of-context internet pics. And we’ve collected some of the most bizarre ones to share with you, Pandas.

They’re stranger than strange, some to the point of hilarity, and they’ll likely make you go ‘hmmm’ as you look at them, trying to guess the story behind the elaborate images. It’s time to put your imaginations into overdrive, so get ready to have a good laugh and put your minds to use.

Bored Panda reached out to the team behind the r/hmmm subreddit. The head moderator, CosmicKeys, was happy to shed some light on the community and what it stands for. "The idea for /r/hmmm was to create a highly curated subreddit with a quality bar where all the pictures are interesting, meaningful, aesthetic, and shine a light on how random image culture on the internet had become its own genre of art. I think we are popular because we maintain this quality bar," they told me that high quality and a focus on aesthetics are both vital to the long-term success of the subreddit.

They also revealed the reason why each and every photo on the subreddit has the title 'hmmm.' "The titles are all 'hmmm' because it means you can experience the image without someone forcing their personal interpretation onto it in the form of a title. Whether it's funny or sad is up to you to determine. It is also about purity. In order for your post to go through, you need to submit to a rigid tradition. People willing to do that generally care enough to post excellent content."

Scroll down for our full interview with the head moderator, as well as with author and comedy expert Ariane Sherine, who gave her take on bizarre images that lack context.

As you scroll down, remember to upvote the pics that you liked the most. Got any wacky theories about what’s going on in each one? Share your thoughts about them in the comments. If you’re in the mood for some more photos that will raise the bar for what you find peculiar, then you’ll definitely want to check out Bored Panda’s previous articles about the r/hmmm community right over here and here.

#1

Hmmm

Hmmm

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River Webb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats why he hasn't returned, he's been waiting for the cat to get off his lap

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The head moderator, CosmicKeys, revealed that even though the r/hmmm subreddit was technically created in 2008, we should consider its real founding date to be 2016. "/r/hmmm was founded in 2016 by users from snoonet irc. It was technically created in 2008, but had no activity up until that point, so 2016 is the real creation date," they told Bored Panda.

CosmicKeys said that they'd add new content to the subreddit every day. "I would post daily pictures while chat was going for people to laugh at oddities from different corners of the internet. That grew into a large collection, so /r/hmmm was born. The name comes from a thread that would appear occasionally on 4chan, and the content was inspired by a website called spaceghetto," they shared the inspiration for the subreddit as a whole.

According to the moderator, some images tend to be excluded if the idea behind them becomes far too popular. Face swaps are a good example of this. "The subreddit is about obscure and strange images, so over time as certain types of images have gone from obscure to popular we've made rules to exclude them," CosmicKeys shared.

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British comedy expert and comedy writer Ariane, from London, told Bored Panda that, generally speaking, the more bizarre something is, the more we’re likely to chuckle, giggle, and laugh about it.

“The weirder and more surprising the photo, the more likely it is to make us laugh,” she said that the weirdness catches us unaware and we instinctively end up laughing. 

“I tend to laugh the most at animals pulling human expressions while doing crazy things!” she opened up.

#5

Hmmm

Hmmm

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GenericPanda09
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else hearing the Mission Impossible music in their head whilst looking at this one?

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I spoke to Ariane about the role that context plays in comedy. In her opinion, humor is instantaneous. Context only becomes vital when there’s such a stunning lack of it that it starts to infringe on our ability to get the joke. If the audience doesn’t find the photo or situation relatable at all, they might end up asking for more information to get the joke. And that can harm the comedic effect.

“Context is important only if we’re unlikely to get a joke otherwise, as I think the sooner we get a joke, the funnier we find it,” Ariane told Bored Panda. “If it takes us a while then that initial shock and surprise is delayed and so we’re less likely to laugh and more likely to go ‘oh, I get it now!’”

In short, this means that even though the photos from r/hmmm quite obviously lack context, they also seem to have enough of it available to make us laugh. We can relate to the photos on some level. Well, at least to most of them.

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I was also curious about Ariane’s opinion on whether we’re born with comedic talent or if it’s a skill like any other. To be developed, nourished, and honed. In her view, it’s both.

“Some people are born with funny bones, but those who aren’t so lucky could watch a lot of great standup comedy and try to emulate the timing and pace,” Ariane suggested how we can develop our sense of humor and comedic timing. “There are also some excellent comedy courses available online.”

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According to Urban Dictionary, ‘hmmm’ is the sound made by those who are “in the act of thinking.” However, fellow internet users, note the number of m’s there. There are, in fact, 3. ‘Hmmm,’ therefore, “represents more thinking than hmm, but significantly less cranial activity than hmmmm.”

#14

Hmmm

Hmmm

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eeeeeeeee
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"give us this day, our daily bone........and deliver us from hoovers"

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The subreddit, stresses the fact that all titles have to be ‘hmmm,’ all in lowercase. Yes, absolutely every post shared on the sub has the same title. It’s as bizarre a rule as many of the photos themselves. Do we love it? You betcha! This is the sort of quirky stuff that the internet was made for.

The moderators of r/hmmm also ask their members not to post any memes, mashups, or drawings. They might be funny and make us go r/hmmm, but the subreddit is for real-life situations only. Oh, and if you’ve got a gif instead of a photo to share, they’ve got their own separate subreddit for them called r/hmmmgifs right over here.

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#18

Hmmm

Hmmm

JijidoMan Report

Know Your Meme explains that the r/hmmm subreddit “remained relatively dormant” until mid-February of 2017. A photo of a man with a pack of Pitbulls wearing sunglasses went viral and put the entire community on the map. And no wonder, the photo really does make you go ‘hmmm,’ as you wonder what the ever-loving heck is going on there. Ever since then, r/hmmm has been a thriving community. And we hope that’ll continue. In a world where information is readily available at our fingertips, it’s a real luxury to look at a photo and stand, confused, wondering what exactly is happening.

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#27

Hmmm

Hmmm

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#28

Hmmm

Hmmm

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Hans
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When elemantary schoolers realize just how embarassing you are...

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#33

Hmmm

Hmmm

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Hans
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Frankly, the only reason of having these kind of hostesses is for people to check them out. (And this is probably not the place to discuss how ridiculously objectifying this is.) I cannot see why this should then be reserved for men. The soldier surely is enjoying it.

Johnny Pierce
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually it's a car show--I think--and the soldiers are models as well and are appreciating the have they don't have to wear such ridiculous outfits.

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ToGo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a straight female so maybe I'm completely off here but to me the army ladies are hotter. Just sayin'.

Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Women know the only thing the soldier is thinking is, "I'm so glad I don't have to wear those ridiculous shoes."

GenericPanda09
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

tbh these kinda blatant tactics that stallholders at tradeshows, canvassers in the street, advertisers, chuggers, (charity muggers) etc. use just make me more likely to ignore whatever it is they're selling.

KC Lancaster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AKA "Booth Babes". Not seeing any men in uniform at the booth, which would still attract many attending a car show, too.

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Donkey boi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The soldiers are probably amused by the fact that neither of the other girls are wearing the right sized shoes.

Tonya Wallace
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know. Homegirl on the left has some serious cliffhanger drama going on. 😂

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snipergun
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't mind ladies wearing any clothes from the pic, but these two in front look so uncomfortable in it (maybe just impression from picture in weird moment), it's so much nicer when woman feels comfortable and confident whatever she's wearing, that's where she can make potato bag look like cool new outfit. Same applies to men actually.

Sarah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This picture needs more backstory. If the women chose to wear these outfits then that's their choice, it's only not okay when they were made to do so. Reminds me of when F1 got rid of their grid girls and some of the girls were not happy about it at all.

J. F.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The back is more interesting anyways - the Fennek is just more interesting than a BMW motorbike

Tai Dallen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't help but see that she's wearing shoes that are clearly too small for her.

Eric Lafleur
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find the two soldiers a lot more sexy than those two scarecrows.

Mermaid Elle-Jaye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a former promo girl and model - go girls <3 and they’ve probably been (all 4 girls) hanging out all day, talking between shifts and people anyways. I hate how people this kind of work is objectifying, they are very confident in their skin, in and out (meaning they don’t judge what other people are looking/doing) with who they are and they look great doing it in cute little heels.

Kar Red Roses
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and re: the damned shoes — if they’re supplied for the show you’re working sometimes you’re stuck with what you get and you have to make do. Better too small and feet go numb (take breaks) then too big and you risk falling out of them and spraining an ankle. Smile and have a great time! Isn’t this just the best? I have a wedgie! *smile*

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Anita Pickle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My god her feet are busting out of those shoes! Poor girl. I wish the fashion industry would really think of the harm on the models, also feet look gross when squished in shoes that are too small. Feet look so much better in a good fitting pair of shoes.

Steph
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All models incl. the camouflage-girls at an automobile convention, probably Stuttgart, Germany.

Alexei Arntzen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every single woman in this picture is doing their job. There is no need to make judgement on anyone here. Sheesh.

HorseMuse
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See the shoes on the one on the left…fashion for a painful price!

13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ladies. Don't do the toe thing. Just get shoes that actually FIT. The toe thing is very tacky. Also could have sworn the two women in front were mannequins...

Vicky Zar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't anything but too small shoes. It's stupid. Not only high, but also too tight. Look at the fastening! It's digging in her flesh! That will definately leave marks.

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Kona Pake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What’s she got in her hand… is she putting it in her mouth?

My O My
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What are the two girls wearing? What. Is. That??? My guess: rubber glove

ZombieGirl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me, it kind of looks like the soldier is looking at something else nearby, and not at the ladies in heels

jammer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Been to a Japanese tech expo. I must say I’d be more comfortable talking to the good and comfortable looking camo ladies that actually might have answers for me than the mannequins who are only hired because of how they look.

XSpooky_Mint
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And what's so strange about a woman checking out another woman?

Thay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those toes... Just dangling over the edge of the shoe... Like how??? 😂😂

Id row
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand what the issue is here. The only issue would be is if the US govt forced the female soldiers to dress like the two on the right.

Douglas Turner
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmmm, fancy motorcycle or armoured military vehicle... how to choose. If only there was someplace I could compare them side by side.

Mickie Shea
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure I want to join this army or dine at this restaurant. Maybe both.

Eric Späte
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know where this photo was taken: At the Gamescom Exhibition in Cologne. The German Army Bundeswehr always has a "booth" there and tries to attract Call of Duty Gamers ;-)

HF_Martini6
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as far as I remember that was at Tuning World Bodensee which is a car show in Germany (hence the KW onesies)

Brenda S
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best statement “Parents, please raise your sons and daughters to be better, be deeper, and be more than a pretty face with little idea about WORLD NEWS.,

xolitaire
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those shoes are way too small and look like they seriously hurt.

Laura
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a military member who used to work at Hooters downtown Toronto, I can say I would be looking at those women and thinking "DAMN girl, first of all, thank you for your service, cause you deal with a lot more awful people than I do. Also, your shoes are too small. I'm looking at you, hostess on the left."

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

Are these the new Space Force uniforms? Those heels will make space exploration kinda tricky.

April Miller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe it was a set-up. Just maybe. The scantily-dressed “models” are paid to be there and may -or MAY NOT - have low self-esteem. The female soldiers (or other titles - sorry I don’t know) are strong women who are just as beautiful. If you don’t know them, don’t judge them.

ej wey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The real creeper is the one acting like she's not checking them out.

Vicky Zar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Blond soldier looks like she is smirking. Like... "oh my god those shoes look SO uncomfortable! Thank God I get to wear proper boots! Heaven knows standing 8 hours in those suckers will HURT majorly! Aaah... the perks of not needing to be sexy"

MTEfres
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

KM Suspension and German military are wearing tactical uniforms of their industry, all of them are lethal.

suzanne van Doorn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I the only one immediately hearing the Oompa Loompa song in my head...?

Grace Walsh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They kinda look like those people from that meme where they’re yelling at a cat

pigasus1
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What these ladies choose to do is NO ONE'S business but the girls that accepted the job. I feel jealousy coming from most remarks against them. If they didn't want to do it, they wouldn't!

Dee Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry - it's degrading to all women, even if it benefits a few.

Hanako Chan
Community Member
2 years ago

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Bruh skimpy outfits they look thirsty for men Lol look at there eyes!

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#36

Hmmm

Hmmm

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#38

Hmmm

Hmmm

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#42

Hmmm

Hmmm

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Rick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish they would STOP using that sealed plastic crap. It’s bad for the environment and can cause deep cuts trying to open it

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#45

Hmmm

Hmmm

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#48

Hmmm

Hmmm

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Rick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like the guy is disabled and wearing a prosthetic leg, could that have something to do with it?

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#52

Hmmm

Hmmm

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River Webb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he finally realised where his childhood friend had been all along

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#76

Hmmm

Hmmm

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Rick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would make a fun “find 7 objects in this picture” puzzle

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#77

Hmmm

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They got the knot wrong though, it won't slide when pulled from the long end.

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#82

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's called Dakimakura and has been a thing for years now. I still find it weird, especially with heckin' sexist anime girls, but this one at this point can be considered "normal"...

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#84

Hmmm

Hmmm

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's one way to turn your place into a work-while-standing space.

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#90

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Pepper Sergent
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How marketing strategically avoided blackface. Well played, marketing.

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#92

Hmmm

Hmmm

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Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was so busy looking at the infected-bloated arm implants that i almost missed the head-brows.

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