Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
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 The outdated stuff these folks feature varies from offensive social norms to tacky fashion trends but they all remind us of the irreversible passage of time.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
…where Do I Even Start?
You May Also Like:
#2
“Fun For The Entire Family”
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
#4
Prince Roller Skating On His Tennis Court At Home. Photo By Jeff Katz, 1989
#5
Mister Merry’s Play Lighter
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.
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]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/6495440099f27_5l5hLQ5-png__700.jpg "An Undercover Police Officer On Duty. New York, Brooklyn, 1 July 1969. [855 X 1200]")
#7
Lester Walker's Turniture II, 1970
#8
A Striking Beauty, Postcard From Around 1908
#9
Braniff Airlines Stewardess Uniforms, 1969
Daniel Atkins 1 year ago
They look like henchwomen for some obscure Batman villain from the 60’s tv show.
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.
#10
Hair Done By Phillip Mason, 1965. Photo By Richard Blinkoff
#11
Asbestos Shoveling Competition
#12
This Ad In A 1968 Life Magazine
Gustav Gallifrey 1 year ago
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.
#13
Famous Architects Dressed As Their Buildings At An Architect Ball, 1931 (Names/Buildings In Comments)
sofacushionfort 1 year ago
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).
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
#15
Children Car Seats In The 1940s
#16
Gay Bob -- The World's First Gay Doll For Everyone!
k1ddkanuck 1 year ago
Awww. I honestly love the spirit of this one. And frankly, the sentiment alone was waaaay ahead of its time. Happy pride everyone.
#17
Burger King Am Radio With Burger Headphones. These Were Produced Exclusively For Radio Shack In 1983
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?
#18
Pure Luxury
#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
Kathryn Baylis 1 year ago
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.
#20
Ladies, Dr. Swift Is Here To Massage Away Your Troubles From Neck To Knee (1850s)
#21
How I Lost My Husband... And Won Him Back Again!
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).
#22
Matching Outfits In 1952
#23
Burnt Orange Carpeting In A Supermarket, 1970s. What The Hell Were They Thinking!
#24
Martians And Venusians In A 1961 Episode Of TV Series The Twilight Zone
#25
The Day My Kid Went Punk, Abc After-School Special (1987)
John Harrison 1 year ago (edited)
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.
#26
German Band Exmagma, Album Cover For Goldball, 1974
#27
Du Pont Cellophane (1955)
Emperor Kitten 1 year ago
Legend has it these babies are still a fresh and crisp as ever, nearly 70 years later!
#28
The Establishment Wig, 1968
#29
It's Lunch Time At The No Barriers Alligator Farm. Florida C1920s
#30
Typical Redditor, Mid-1960s
CHRIS DOMRES 1 year ago
The era when men considered themselves superior to women, yet they were unable to make themselves a sandwich.
#31
Uncle & Nephew At Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, 1981
Gustav Gallifrey 1 year ago
"Add a comment". As if a comment could conceivably be made about this.
Kathryn Baylis 1 year ago (edited)
There have always been fashions we all wore back in the day that we all highly regret wearing now, and especially having worn when someone took our picture. Believe me, the crop top and short shorts that this young man has on was highly popular with everyone, male and female, back in the early eighties. I wore it myself back then, because I was jogging and going to the gym regularly, and that’s where the style originated.
the redqueen 1 year ago
Well I think he gets two snaps and a twist, for being out and about, and not afraid to show a little skin! Yasss
Phyllis Turbin 1 year ago
The poor boy hasn't had new clothes in 7 years.
Load More Replies...
Shelby Jackson 1 year ago
Yet a man wears a crop top now and gets ridiculed. It's clothes. Let people wear what they want.
Beck 1 year ago
Me too! And what is the kid holding his pocket open for? I'm waiting for a frog to pop out
Load More Replies...
Spittnimage 1 year ago
That's how kids dressed in the 80s, and the old guy just grabbed something out of the closet.
Peter Illing 1 year ago
I have to say - I love the uncle's shorts and would totally buy them if I saw them in the shops!
Lynn Dougherty Quin 1 year ago
Crossing my eyes.. is there no option to delete or edit
Load More Replies...
The Other Guest 1 year ago
My only issue with these outfits would be the older gentleman combining plaid with stripes.
Paloma Vita 1 year ago
What happened to nephew? He looks photoshopped before its time (and with two black eyes?!)
Robert Bois le Duc 1 year ago
It was at that moment that his nephew decided to come out of the closet to his Uncle.
PenguinQueen 1 year ago
"Ah yes, he's my 'UnCLe'..." Said to the person they asked to take a cute photo of them whilst viewing Sunset Point.
ShyWahine 1 year ago (edited)
On come on - if ANY of us look back at old family vacation pics, you too will find yourself attired in a cringeworthy outfit! That's part of the fun of perusing old albums. My nieces LOVE to clown my afro or the ridiculously high platforms I used to sport. My only defense is to say, "That was the style back then."
Lipstick Hippie 1 year ago
They called them "half-shirts" back in the day. A little more masculine, perhaps?
Load More Replies...
Raven Hayden Rudnik 5 months ago
People coming at me for wearing feminine clothing, while they wore things like this
Celeste Hambrick 1 year ago
This photo has surely been used as blackmail at some point in the young man's life....
Robert Miller 1 year ago
Some of these ....why . There is nothing wrong except period clothing .
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
That outfit! UGH! Who could think it's possibly right to wear that in public. Everyone knows stipes and squares don't go together.
Bill Carley 1 year ago
I am right about the age of the nephew, and despite the look captured in the pic (on both of them) I bet they loved each other.
okpkpkp 1 year ago
When my parents sent me to spend the summer with my uncle, all he wanted to do was get my hair shortened and I was having none of it. I went off to family friends from there and the mom got my hair cut and I still hate her for that. She became my MIL and the fun ended then and there.
Dorothy Stovall 1 year ago
I remember EVERY guy had that kid's corduroy shorts. They were everywhere and usually tan colored.
neil jagurdo 1 year ago
And amazingly, neither of them is at all self-conscious. Uncle may have some thoughts about his nephew but he'll let it go.
baby frog 1 year ago
Not ruined, we jest get to see some good-looking people (at the time) instead
Load More Replies...
#32
The Scorpions, 1974
#33
Eiderlon Panties (1970s)
Daniel Atkins 1 year ago
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
#34
The "Dog Sack" Invention, Which First Appeared In The June 1935 Issue Of Popular Mechanics
#35
Paul Hogan Meeting Queen Elizabeth II (1980)
#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
#37
Your Mum May Have Owned This
#38
1939 Proposal To Identify Bad Drivers With A Special License Plate, Memphis Tennessee
#39
Eat Ironized Yeast (1930s)
#40
"Jesus Use Me"
#41
This Really Requires No Explanation
David 1 year ago
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.
#42
Models Promoting Farm Fertilizer, 1956
#43
The Presto Whip Building In Dearborn, Michigan, 1976
Riche White 1 year ago
The executives must have been paid well with all the Cadillacs out front
#44
Space Age Fashion By André Courrèges, 1960s
#45
Scott Tissues (1940s)
#46
How... How Do You Begin To Eat This?
#47
Sun Tan Pills (1970s)
#48
Eastern Airlines (1967)
#49
"After You Put On The Old Feedbag, You'll Be Glad You're Wearing Slim & Slender Control-Top Pantyhose." - 1971
![The Colossal Dog Ear Collar! [1967]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/649545c42853c_48lw5ks5spwa1__700.jpg "The Colossal Dog Ear Collar! [1967]")
![Dressing Up For The Locker Room [1970]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/649546aecd6c9_y7sqa22j85m91__700.jpg "Dressing Up For The Locker Room [1970]")
![Astonishing Mrs Highfield! Married At 15, Up To 6 Kids At 22. [1953]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/64954dda3953e_bzaffuig6u3b1-png__700.jpg "Astonishing Mrs Highfield! Married At 15, Up To 6 Kids At 22. [1953]")
!["Even A Lady Could Learn To Like Soft Whiskey. It's Not Hard." - Calvert Extra [1965]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/649544f018093_AeYOitz-png__700.jpg "\"Even A Lady Could Learn To Like Soft Whiskey. It's Not Hard.\" - Calvert Extra [1965]")
![A Peanut Vendor Wearing A Suit Made Of Peanuts [1890]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/64954dbac18f3_cgp5lyveblpa1__700.jpg "A Peanut Vendor Wearing A Suit Made Of Peanuts [1890]")
![Where To Begin? My Aunt's Hair... [late 80s]](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/64954f15c5eed_f8sjhgb12ja61__700.jpg "Where To Begin? My Aunt's Hair... [late 80s]")
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Mark Fuller 1 year ago
These are great! Funny, fascinating, insightful and occasionally shocking. We need more posts like this instead of stupid personal family crisis from Reddit.
Kenny Kulbiski 1 year ago
A lot of these weren't really typical of the times. Before we get too condescending we should think about what people in the future will say about us.
Jessica Bertram 1 year ago
i mean, i hope they will be horrified. progress means improvement, and i hope we progress from where we are today.
Load More Replies...
chris winchester 1 year ago
In the 80s at least if someone wanted to make out they did that. Interesting times. Was gross but still
Load More Replies... 
Alicia Gee 1 year ago
From reading these I’d say the past sucked majorly and thank God it produced feminists.
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago
The '60s and '70s weren't a perfect time, but they were in many ways infinitely better than the crapsack world we live in today.
Load More Replies...
Elizabeth Mills 1 year ago
The matching outfits is still done in Korea, at Jeju Island. It's the honeymoon capital of Korea. Those couples are adorable and dorky 😀
Dorothy Cloud 1 year ago
I was born in 1943, so theoretically, I was alive for most of that junk!! How did I miss it???
chris winchester 1 year ago
The 80s were a fun time to grow up. The story is pretty interesting as well. I never considered people fibbing about their childhood. I can honestly say I was a metal head throughout the 80s. I went to gazaris on the strip a few times, concerts all the time. Had the tee shirts that I wish I still had, the spikes, so cal in the 80s was a music paradise. I had to throw in punk and alternative to broaden my view. Still have pictures of me and my friends. Good times.
Meghan Wood 1 year ago
Douching with LYSOL?! I bet that’s still popular somewhere… but just… WOW.
Mark Fuller 1 year ago
These are great! Funny, fascinating, insightful and occasionally shocking. We need more posts like this instead of stupid personal family crisis from Reddit.
Kenny Kulbiski 1 year ago
A lot of these weren't really typical of the times. Before we get too condescending we should think about what people in the future will say about us.
Jessica Bertram 1 year ago
i mean, i hope they will be horrified. progress means improvement, and i hope we progress from where we are today.
Load More Replies... chris winchester 1 year ago
In the 80s at least if someone wanted to make out they did that. Interesting times. Was gross but still
Load More Replies... Alicia Gee 1 year ago
From reading these I’d say the past sucked majorly and thank God it produced feminists.
Suzy Creamcheese 1 year ago
The '60s and '70s weren't a perfect time, but they were in many ways infinitely better than the crapsack world we live in today.
Load More Replies... Elizabeth Mills 1 year ago
The matching outfits is still done in Korea, at Jeju Island. It's the honeymoon capital of Korea. Those couples are adorable and dorky 😀
Dorothy Cloud 1 year ago
I was born in 1943, so theoretically, I was alive for most of that junk!! How did I miss it???
chris winchester 1 year ago
The 80s were a fun time to grow up. The story is pretty interesting as well. I never considered people fibbing about their childhood. I can honestly say I was a metal head throughout the 80s. I went to gazaris on the strip a few times, concerts all the time. Had the tee shirts that I wish I still had, the spikes, so cal in the 80s was a music paradise. I had to throw in punk and alternative to broaden my view. Still have pictures of me and my friends. Good times.
Meghan Wood 1 year ago
Douching with LYSOL?! I bet that’s still popular somewhere… but just… WOW.
You May Like 70 Teacher Memes That Brilliantly Capture The Hardship Of Educators 35 Times Older People Failed At “Surfing The Net” But Provided Some Comedy Gold (New Pics) ‘Ends Humour’: 50 Spot-On Posts That May Leave You Chuckling At The Ridiculousness Of It All (New Pics)
Zo Aguila
Justinas Keturka
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Related on Bored Panda
