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Avid Bored Panda readers may remember the piece we did on the subreddit r/OldSchoolCool, where people share content from the past that still looks fantastic today. But now, we have something similar yet totally different for you — its weird "cousin" r/OldSchoolRidiculous.

Created back in December 2013, this online community is pretty much the same as its "relative", only it laughs at previous eras instead of celebrating them. The outdated stuff these folks feature varies from offensive social norms to tacky fashion trends but they all remind us of the irreversible passage of time.

When it comes to describing their past, people tend to exaggerate. For example, parents who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s lie about their youth to make them seem cooler. 

Research shows the most common fibs are that they were punks or goths or went to Glastonbury Festival or Ibiza before they became "too commercial."

They also claim to have been part of anti-Government protests or have been present at key sporting events.

#3

Startled Bystander At The Annual Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, 1994

Startled Bystander At The Annual Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, 1994

notbob1959 Report

#4

Prince Roller Skating On His Tennis Court At Home. Photo By Jeff Katz, 1989

Prince Roller Skating On His Tennis Court At Home. Photo By Jeff Katz, 1989

Rattlesnake_Mullet Report

#5

Mister Merry’s Play Lighter

Mister Merry’s Play Lighter

lamest-liz Report

A survey of 2,000 British adults revealed 73 percent have lied about their pasts, with 30 percent doing so just to impress the younger generations.

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Attending Live Aid, joining a youth sub-culture, and taking part in a political protest top the 1980s lie list.

#6

An Undercover Police Officer On Duty. New York, Brooklyn, 1 July 1969. [855 X 1200]

An Undercover Police Officer On Duty. New York, Brooklyn, 1 July 1969. [855 X 1200]

verostein Report

#8

A Striking Beauty, Postcard From Around 1908

A Striking Beauty, Postcard From Around 1908

notbob1959 Report

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Tee Rat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have punched him too if he drew a big circle on my skirt.

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#9

Braniff Airlines Stewardess Uniforms, 1969

Braniff Airlines Stewardess Uniforms, 1969

Slow-moving-sloth Report

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Daniel Atkins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They look like henchwomen for some obscure Batman villain from the 60’s tv show.

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Trips to Glastonbury or Ibiza, YBA art exhibitions, and edgy haircuts are most commonly lied about for those who grew up in the 1990s.

More than half of the people surveyed (57 percent) admit they weren't as cool as they make out, while some parents say they can't actually remember what they got up to.

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#10

Hair Done By Phillip Mason, 1965. Photo By Richard Blinkoff

Hair Done By Phillip Mason, 1965. Photo By Richard Blinkoff

Sleeeepy_Hollow Report

#11

Asbestos Shoveling Competition

Asbestos Shoveling Competition

voxadam Report

#12

This Ad In A 1968 Life Magazine

This Ad In A 1968 Life Magazine

mistermajik2000 Report

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Gustav Gallifrey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is the neatest-dressed drug dealer i have ever seen. I would feel confident in buying drugs from him, if he cares that much about his business image.

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#13

Famous Architects Dressed As Their Buildings At An Architect Ball, 1931 (Names/Buildings In Comments)

Famous Architects Dressed As Their Buildings At An Architect Ball, 1931 (Names/Buildings In Comments)

AdaLovecraft Report

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sofacushionfort
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the picture above, we have from left to right: A. Stewart Walker as the Fuller Building (1929), Leonard Schultze as the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (1931) , Ely Jacques Kahn as the Squibb Building (1930), William Van Alen as the Chrysler Building (1930), Ralph Walker as 1 Wall Street (1931), D.E.Ward as the Metropolitan Tower and Joseph H. Freelander as the Museum of the City of New York (1930).

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Interestingly, nearly a quarter admitted it was easier to lie before life was documented by social media and camera phones, but a fifth believed people would still try. 

#14

"Baby Cages" Were Window-Mounted Playpens That Were Once Used For Apartments To Ensure Babies Get Fresh Air, 1937

"Baby Cages" Were Window-Mounted Playpens That Were Once Used For Apartments To Ensure Babies Get Fresh Air, 1937

Sleeeepy_Hollow Report

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#16

Gay Bob -- The World's First Gay Doll For Everyone!

Gay Bob -- The World's First Gay Doll For Everyone!

InsertCoinForCredit Report

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k1ddkanuck
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww. I honestly love the spirit of this one. And frankly, the sentiment alone was waaaay ahead of its time. Happy pride everyone.

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#17

Burger King Am Radio With Burger Headphones. These Were Produced Exclusively For Radio Shack In 1983

Burger King Am Radio With Burger Headphones. These Were Produced Exclusively For Radio Shack In 1983

AxlCobainVedder Report

However, one in two people revealed that at some point they were still caught out when telling a made-up or exaggerated story about the past. Which makes you wonder, could it have been someone who was featured on this subreddit?

#19

Rain Goggles For Racing Car Driver. In An Open Car, The Fan Would Start Moving At About 15 Miles Per Hour, Putting The Tiny Wipers In Motion And Clearing The Water From The Lenses. England, 1930s

Rain Goggles For Racing Car Driver. In An Open Car, The Fan Would Start Moving At About 15 Miles Per Hour, Putting The Tiny Wipers In Motion And Clearing The Water From The Lenses. England, 1930s

notbob1959 Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have worn glasses since I was 12 (I come from a family that’s myopic on both sides). I would LOVE to have prescription rain glasses like this! I hate going out in the rain because I end up not being able to see clearly out of my glasses because of the raindrops. You would be amazed at how raindrops can affect your vision through glasses. It can sometimes get rather scary. So social rain glasses with wipers would be great. I could put my regular glasses in their case, and use these—-much like I do with my sunglasses.

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#20

Ladies, Dr. Swift Is Here To Massage Away Your Troubles From Neck To Knee (1850s)

Ladies, Dr. Swift Is Here To Massage Away Your Troubles From Neck To Knee (1850s)

MetaHelvetica Report

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Cathy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like he's treating her Hysterical Paroxysm at home. Ahhh relief 😁

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#21

How I Lost My Husband... And Won Him Back Again!

How I Lost My Husband... And Won Him Back Again!

diminutive_lebowski Report

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glowworm2
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And to think that all this time I was using it incorrectly to clean the toilets.🤣

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Despite the evidence of exaggeration, 41 percent said they believe their generation was cooler in its heyday than young people today. The coolest decade was voted to be the 1980s (27 percent).

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#23

Burnt Orange Carpeting In A Supermarket, 1970s. What The Hell Were They Thinking!

Burnt Orange Carpeting In A Supermarket, 1970s. What The Hell Were They Thinking!

MyDogGoldi Report

#24

Martians And Venusians In A 1961 Episode Of TV Series The Twilight Zone

Martians And Venusians In A 1961 Episode Of TV Series The Twilight Zone

notbob1959 Report

#25

The Day My Kid Went Punk, Abc After-School Special (1987)

The Day My Kid Went Punk, Abc After-School Special (1987)

AxlCobainVedder Report

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John Harrison
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is Doc at home? Does the Love Boat have a broken propeller? EDIT: Incredibly, this silly joke about Doc from Love Boat has been downvoted at least twice. Edit#2: Now at 36 upvotes. Faith in humanity restored.

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#26

German Band Exmagma, Album Cover For Goldball, 1974

German Band Exmagma, Album Cover For Goldball, 1974

Slow-moving-sloth Report

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#27

Du Pont Cellophane (1955)

Du Pont Cellophane (1955)

MetaHelvetica Report

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Emperor Kitten
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Legend has it these babies are still a fresh and crisp as ever, nearly 70 years later!

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#29

It's Lunch Time At The No Barriers Alligator Farm. Florida C1920s

It's Lunch Time At The No Barriers Alligator Farm. Florida C1920s

MyDogGoldi Report

#30

Typical Redditor, Mid-1960s

Typical Redditor, Mid-1960s

WhisperingSideways Report

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CHRIS DOMRES
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The era when men considered themselves superior to women, yet they were unable to make themselves a sandwich.

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#31

Uncle & Nephew At Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, 1981

Uncle & Nephew At Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, 1981

notbob1959 Report

#33

Eiderlon Panties (1970s)

Eiderlon Panties (1970s)

reddit.com Report

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Daniel Atkins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why was this ever said? Don’t think this following was ever uttered. They have a broken leg and arm but their panties are the best

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#34

The "Dog Sack" Invention, Which First Appeared In The June 1935 Issue Of Popular Mechanics

The "Dog Sack" Invention, Which First Appeared In The June 1935 Issue Of Popular Mechanics

somnum_osseus Report

#36

Bryn Owen Aged 17 With His Vespa Scooter, Which Has 34 Mirrors And 81 Lights On The Front And Back, All Bought With His Pocket Money, Leicestershire, England, 1983

Bryn Owen Aged 17 With His Vespa Scooter, Which Has 34 Mirrors And 81 Lights On The Front And Back, All Bought With His Pocket Money, Leicestershire, England, 1983

notbob1959 Report

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#37

Your Mum May Have Owned This

Your Mum May Have Owned This

Kane_richards Report

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glowworm2
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Knowing how star struck young women were of the Beatles, this piece of memorabilia actually makes sense.

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#38

1939 Proposal To Identify Bad Drivers With A Special License Plate, Memphis Tennessee

1939 Proposal To Identify Bad Drivers With A Special License Plate, Memphis Tennessee

notbob1959 Report

#39

Eat Ironized Yeast (1930s)

Eat Ironized Yeast (1930s)

reddit.com Report

#41

This Really Requires No Explanation

This Really Requires No Explanation

No-Bear Report

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David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not 'ridiculous'. I have DONE this. Except the holes were cut in the base of the stumps with a chain saw and we used electric primers instead of a lit fuse. But it's not like anyone came and cleared your fields for you. Around our (very old) farm you'd find empty dynamite boxes and blasting cap cans here and there. Back then they did it probably more like in this picture. There is nothing wrong with having a book to tell you how to do it properly.

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#42

Models Promoting Farm Fertilizer, 1956

Models Promoting Farm Fertilizer, 1956

notbob1959 Report

#43

The Presto Whip Building In Dearborn, Michigan, 1976

The Presto Whip Building In Dearborn, Michigan, 1976

TommyAdagio Report

#44

Space Age Fashion By André Courrèges, 1960s

Space Age Fashion By André Courrèges, 1960s

Plethorian Report

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#45

Scott Tissues (1940s)

Scott Tissues (1940s)

MetaHelvetica114 Report

#47

Sun Tan Pills (1970s)

Sun Tan Pills (1970s)

MetaHelvetica Report

#49

"After You Put On The Old Feedbag, You'll Be Glad You're Wearing Slim & Slender Control-Top Pantyhose." - 1971

"After You Put On The Old Feedbag, You'll Be Glad You're Wearing Slim & Slender Control-Top Pantyhose." - 1971

FNaXQ Report

#50

Du Pont Cellophane (1955)

Du Pont Cellophane (1955)

bloodmilksemen Report

Note: this post originally had 146 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.