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We’ve all been there—someone makes an awesome joke, but it’s either too subtle or it has a hidden twist to it that we don’t see. And the joke just goes over our heads, making a very loud ‘woooosh’ sound! However, some people don’t get these jokes to such a degree that their reactions get screenshotted and featured on the massively popular r/woooosh subreddit, an online community of over a million members.

Scroll down to find some of the most ridiculous times people missed the joke so bad, they ended up embarrassing themselves online. Don’t forget to upvote the pics and jokes that made you chuckle the most, Pandas.

If you’re in the mood for some more wonderfully weird ‘wooooshes,’ then we invite you to check out Bored Panda’s earlier articles about r/woooosh when you’re done enjoying this list. You’ll find our previous article here, here, as well as here.

We got in touch with British comedy writer and aspiring pop star Ariane Sherine to have a chat about humor and not getting jokes. Scroll down for Bored Panda's interview with her.

#1

These Subtitles Are Really Immersive

These Subtitles Are Really Immersive

ThePbbLatias Report

Bored Panda wanted to get comedy writer Ariane's opinion on what it says about us as people if some jokes go over our heads. "Depending on the situation, it either means you’re not privy to knowledge you need to understand the joke, or it just means your brain doesn’t work in the way it needs to in order to understand that particular type of humor," she said.

However, we shouldn't worry because we all miss some jokes some of the time. Nobody's perfect, not even comedy professionals. "Stuff goes over my head occasionally too and I’m a comedian!" Ariane told us.

The comedian isn't sure if our awareness of what's funny is just about exposure to humorous content. "Babies find a lot of things funny, so it’s partly innate," she mused that understanding comedy is a mix of nature and nurture. "But for jokes like puns, you definitely need a firm grasp of language, and for political satire, you of course need an understanding of politics."

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We also touched on whose responsibility it is for the audience to get the joke, the comedian or the listeners. "It really depends on the joke and how it’s told," Ariane said.

"People can’t be expected to get badly-told jokes where the setup or punchline is mangled, but if the joke’s told well, it’s not necessarily the comic’s fault if another person doesn’t get it. Humor can be quite a niche and individual thing, but if a joke regularly falls flat most comics will drop it from their sets."

#6

Wdym, Its A Picture Taken Back Then

Wdym, Its A Picture Taken Back Then

Minestars_player69 Report

Judging people for their mistakes and feeling embarrassed when we make them ourselves are part and parcel of being a human being. It’s a part of who we are. However, there’s a healthy way to react when someone (including us!) misses the joke entirely.

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Psychologist and wellbeing consultant Lee Chambers explained to Bored Panda during a previous in-depth interview that people judge others both consciously and automatically. “Comically, we are often told as children not to judge others and have stories shared about how judging others can mean we upset them or lose opportunities to see what really lies behind our perception," he told us.

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There are a variety of reasons why we might judge someone. "Sometimes, we judge others to feel superior ourselves, finding faults in others, highlighting them, and feeling better about ourselves in the process. Sometimes, we use it to work out where we fit in, recognizing how we want to be, where our aspirations lie, and how we don't want to become," the psychologist revealed.

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"Sometimes, it's in response to our own flaws, and we attack others for what we don't like or don't see into ourselves. And on other occasions, it's to fit into a wider group who judge something or someone, and we conform and perform with the same judgment,” Lee said.

#10

I Can’t Believe Da Vinci Would Do Something Like That

I Can’t Believe Da Vinci Would Do Something Like That

UnderstandingFuture6 Report

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

Oh god, when 3 people keep the joke running and you still don't get it

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

it says meme right above the photo i thought that was an obvious clue it was a joke

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

That last comment just really hammered that "WOOSH" home.

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

All jokes aside, Leonardo da Vinci is one of my favourite historical figures. Brilliant, and his art is amazing. Recently watched a documentary on how Pascal Cotte looked 'into' the Mona Lisa using different cameras and different light. She was going to have some sort of crown on her head at some point.

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

I'm pretty sure they were both joking on this one. I think nobody here got second guy's joke.

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

Reddit really is something. Someone's always saying something like that last person.

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#11

Nothing Starts With "N" And Ends With "G"

Nothing Starts With "N" And Ends With "G"

LunaBug235 Report

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

probably copied and pasted off google; also what even is "nutting"

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#12

Nope He’s From Star Trek

Nope He’s From Star Trek

lesterzeor1 Report

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

most children exposed to fame do end up like this. my sympathies for R2-D2

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In the psychologist’s view, being judgmental "does have some benefits when used mindfully.” For instance: “It can help us to set goals, find alignment with our values, it can help us to build the self-awareness of others and it can boost our self-esteem.”

#13

Right Over The Head Of An Anti-Vaxxer

Right Over The Head Of An Anti-Vaxxer

GillianMcKeith Report

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#14

I Mean He Was Trying To Be Helpful

I Mean He Was Trying To Be Helpful

USGrantWasTheMan Report

#15

Definitely The Bird Hitching A Ride

Definitely The Bird Hitching A Ride

Ash_Dog_Magic12 Report

What’s more, passing judgment on others can help us make positive social choices. “it's understanding how and why we judge that gives us the ability to use it for our benefits instead of escaping our flaws or pulling others down."

Meanwhile, if we end up feeling embarrassed because we didn’t get a joke and we’ve responded in a frankly silly way online, it’s important to remember to accept those feelings. Running away from our embarrassment can, later on, morph into shame.

#16

16 Thousand Likes Is A Lot Of Wooshes

16 Thousand Likes Is A Lot Of Wooshes

FifunmiThaking Report

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

Jackie Chan does use a double - just not for stunts, but for boring bits, like getting in cars, walking down the street, that sort of thing

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#17

"This Is Also A Lie"

"This Is Also A Lie"

pthomsen-Tvhf4576 Report

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

well obviously he and a minion attached together in an odd accident involving freeze rays, weird hats, 3 little girls, and GRU

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"We spend a lot of time and effort presenting an ideal version of ourselves to other people. When something happens that contrasts with the image we’ve been projecting—when we say or do something that shows we actually aren’t as graceful or as smart as we’d like people to believe—we feel embarrassed," Vanessa Bohns, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Cornell University, told Bored Panda.

#19

The Government Controls Everything Stoopit

The Government Controls Everything Stoopit

ErickaLydon Report

#20

Running Was Invented

Running Was Invented

Elitetimeline7 Report

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

John Smith? inventing chewing? WRONG. Michael Chewing invented chewing. get that bs outta here

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#21

Nothing Gets Past This Person, Not Even Those Sneaky Party Invites

Nothing Gets Past This Person, Not Even Those Sneaky Party Invites

FireFlavour Report

"Discovering you were wrong about something most everyone else around you has long known to be true is one of those moments. In that moment we learn, 'Wait a minute, maybe I haven’t been presenting the image of being smart or worldly that I thought I was presenting all this time,' which is embarrassing,” she said.

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#22

Frontside 180

Frontside 180

tonyhawk Report

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LMAO imagine if John Cena had to explain why he never clicked photos with his fans.

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“One thing that’s interesting about embarrassment is that, for as much as we might experience it as painful in the moment, it’s actually very socially adaptive. Being embarrassed signals to other people that you care about what they think. And that actually draws people in to you,” Vanessa said that there are benefits to showing that you’re embarrassed about a mistake.

#26

Defending Schrödinger’s Cat

Defending Schrödinger’s Cat

Dubious_Naysayer Report

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“So blushing, burying your head in your hands, laughing, acknowledging how embarrassing something was, are all totally healthy ways to react,” she told us.

“The unhealthy way to react is to pretend you’re not embarrassed, that you didn’t make a mistake, or to get angry. Those things undo the positive effect of embarrassment typically has on other people by conveying insincerity and pushing people away rather than drawing them in.”

#28

Oh Wait

Oh Wait

Azmatang Report

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm dying to see the comments after this one on this thread. Trauma that'll last for eternity.

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#29

By Flying Up Obviously???

By Flying Up Obviously???

DiavoloExplainsIt Report

Which of these pics and 'wooooshes' did you enjoy looking at and reading the most, dear Pandas? Have you ever had a 'woooosh' moment? Have you ever had a joke go over someone else's head? Share your thoughts with all of us in the comment section at the bottom of this list.

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#31

He Also Forgot About Canadian And Australian

He Also Forgot About Canadian And Australian

More-Engineering-888 Report

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

I beg to differ, my American friend who lives here in England for nigh on 20 years is still learning English English.

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#36

How Tf Does Sgel Stand For That

How Tf Does Sgel Stand For That

toasterlunch Report

#37

This Is Heartbreaking

This Is Heartbreaking

CUtORTHA Report

#38

F In The Chat For The People In The Old Days

F In The Chat For The People In The Old Days

EvanBondz Report

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#39

This Is Quite Offensive

This Is Quite Offensive

basketbefore Report

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

Vegan's should go back to their own country, we do not want them here.

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#40

Which One?

Which One?

Winning-Sonic Report

#41

This Man Speaks The Deutsch

This Man Speaks The Deutsch

RichardsonM24 Report

#44

He Really Think He Did Something

He Really Think He Did Something

Worickorell Report

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Captain America isn't real, and Santa didn't bring me the Ps5. Pfft! Some people!

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#45

It’s An Ifunnier, So Go Ahead And Hate On Him

It’s An Ifunnier, So Go Ahead And Hate On Him

dfvgdthyjnhjkjfjmjkg Report

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#50

It's Just A Picture You Dumbass

It's Just A Picture You Dumbass

trenchman_ Report

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#52

I Was Dumb To Assume That People On Facebook Had A Sense Of Humor

I Was Dumb To Assume That People On Facebook Had A Sense Of Humor

Menardoyt Report

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

Instead of appreciating the miracle of a speaking cat we are correcting its grammar. Poor world.

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#54

I Seen A Old Man Getting

I Seen A Old Man Getting

Elitetimeline7 Report

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#56

People Dumb

People Dumb

KNAC_YT Report

#57

But Seriously Where Does The Water Come From?

But Seriously Where Does The Water Come From?

Elitetimeline7 Report

#58

You Can’t See Me

You Can’t See Me

Sins0fTheFather Report

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

Ok, first of all THAT AIN'T JOHN CENA, I think it's Jon Xhina. And Second of all JOHN CENA IS A HUMAN LOL, IT'S NOT "IT" IT'S "HE"

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#60

I Don’t Know Man I Think It Looks Pretty Real

I Don’t Know Man I Think It Looks Pretty Real

nimeshudawattha99 Report

#62

A Reddit User Thought People Really Thought People Confused Mt Everest With A Nuclear Bomb Attack

A Reddit User Thought People Really Thought People Confused Mt Everest With A Nuclear Bomb Attack

Elitetimeline7 Report

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#64

All My Homies Hate Will

All My Homies Hate Will

ostrichboio Report

#65

That Won’t Kill You

That Won’t Kill You

jshirley_ Report

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're so sure try gulping all those at once; you'll prolly end up choking to the afterlife. But, hey! tHaT wOn'T kIlL yOu.

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#67

Man Twitter Makes Me Feel So Stupid Sometimes

Man Twitter Makes Me Feel So Stupid Sometimes

721936282 Report

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

No, this picture is true as my cat was next to the camera man as this scene was being recorded and he came home and told me.

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#68

Bro It's A Meme

Bro It's A Meme

_aaskk_ Report

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

so a computer rubs its ass over another computer? talk about naughty

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#69

He's A Genius

He's A Genius

ChristinFerris Report

#70

Dave Grohl Should Create His Own Band

Dave Grohl Should Create His Own Band

uV1EGAS__ Report

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#72

Context, Teller Never Speaks During Performance

Context, Teller Never Speaks During Performance

rocket_racoon99 Report

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

I saw their act as a kid when my family went on a trip to Vegas. Seeing them on TV, I always thought that Teller was super short. After the show you could go up an meet them and shake their hands, and that's when I realized Teller is just a normal sized dude and Penn is a freaking giant.

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#73

Yes Of Course Silly, And Airports Also Existed Back Then

Yes Of Course Silly, And Airports Also Existed Back Then

nathie_333 Report

#76

Keyboards Were Invented In 1868

Keyboards Were Invented In 1868

Express-Librarian833 Report

#78

Vikings Covered Their Roofs In Grass

Vikings Covered Their Roofs In Grass

Elitetimeline7 Report

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

When it came to mow the grass the Vikings would just fly their helicopters upside down.

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#80

F.o.r.t.n.i.t.e

F.o.r.t.n.i.t.e

ekbuland Report

#83

Oh Really

Oh Really

MendySmallwood Report

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

The Americans grabbing their flashlights along with the pitchforks and clubs.

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#84

Thank God I'm A Scorpion And Not An Asparagus

Thank God I'm A Scorpion And Not An Asparagus

stocvxcv Report

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#89

Programming Humor Irl

Programming Humor Irl

J_S_artboy Report

#94

They Don't?

They Don't?

z0mbieG3nocide Report

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#96

He Saw John Cena, But At What Cost?

He Saw John Cena, But At What Cost?

Tomsta17 Report

#97

He’d Get Fired You Idiots

He’d Get Fired You Idiots

HollieKaye Report

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

Someone told me to kill myself and burn in hell and I accidentally said you too and now we are having a very pleasant burning in hell together

#100

Obama's Angry Because Trump Found Out His Last Name

Obama's Angry Because Trump Found Out His Last Name

oevan343q423423 Report

#102

Blind Playthrough Tag For Being

Blind Playthrough Tag For Being

Elitetimeline7 Report

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#103

Did You Know They're Actually The Same Character????

Did You Know They're Actually The Same Character????

Numinexxus Report

#104

No S**t Dude

No S**t Dude

Accomplished-Fruit76 Report

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

Of course it's still there, it's much more difficult to steal a dog AND a shadow. I only have two hands!

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#105

Smuthe Brian Pleb

Smuthe Brian Pleb

Bob_Kerman_SPAAAACE Report

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

fish can actually drown if they don't stay in their correct water pressure zone

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#106

Call Of Duty Wwll

Call Of Duty Wwll

Elitetimeline7 Report

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#107

Im Pretty Sure Its Hulk Though

Im Pretty Sure Its Hulk Though

ruiriko- Report

#110

*sigh* Why.

*sigh* Why.

northernremarkable Report

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

Should have used the 24 hour "military" time, because apparently that REALLY confuses a lot of Americans.

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#111

There Surprisingly Was Only One Other Person Saying That Too, Probably Because It Isn't That Old

There Surprisingly Was Only One Other Person Saying That Too, Probably Because It Isn't That Old

IntelligentAd7057 Report

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

hmm... sometimes americans don't know what their flag looks like, so I think it's useful to point it out to them, I've seen them get confused over liberia as well.

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#115

He Betrayed Us

He Betrayed Us

Fine_Possibility_711 Report

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

I've always wondered if dirty dancing would have been such a hit if Danny Devito had played Patrick Swayze role.

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#116

This Is A Bruh Moment

This Is A Bruh Moment

CosmicMinun59 Report

#117

It's 10

It's 10

doggochips Report

#118

Thats Kinda Embarassing

Thats Kinda Embarassing

SquiddoSpaghitto Report

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#119

He's Either A Troll Or A Dumb To Think He Would Eat All Of The Tic Tacs

He's Either A Troll Or A Dumb To Think He Would Eat All Of The Tic Tacs

AndrewsBR Report

#120

Thanks Vice!

Thanks Vice!

TarTimOoAl Report

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#121

It's About How You Treat A Grill

It's About How You Treat A Grill

Red_Micro Report

#122

No Culture Whatsoever

No Culture Whatsoever

nevers_ Report