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Regular drivers have no doubt encountered signage that made them do a double take. From strange symbols to truly ominous texts and warnings, some drivers have likely wondered “What the hell happened here?”

So people from around the world have documented the most scary, weird, and threatening signs they have encountered in the wild. From warnings against ghostly sounds to truly demented facial expressions, oddities can be found everywhere. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorite examples, and comment your thoughts below. 

#2

Just Saw This Sign At The Theater When I Was Leaving

Just Saw This Sign At The Theater When I Was Leaving

Skrip77 Report

#3

These Pedestrian Crossing Signs Look Like Pedestrians Crossing The Street

These Pedestrian Crossing Signs Look Like Pedestrians Crossing The Street

BigFlavors Report

The number one place where one might encounter signs is in and around a road system. Indeed, you basically can’t even go a mile without a handful of them in most places. These date back to the establishment of road systems in general. Throughout Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East, one can still find the old Roman milestones, telling travelers just how far they had gone. 

While many early signs were set up by the administrators of cities, a significant number started as a way to assist hobbyists. Early cyclers, who wanted to explore the country, would often end up going down hazardous roads without knowing it. So local cycling clubs began to put up warnings, some of which were no doubt as “threatening” as the examples here. 

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#4

When You Buy The Old Neighborhood's Drug House

When You Buy The Old Neighborhood's Drug House

poor-unfortunatesoul Report

#5

This Sign Above The Human Cadaver Lab At My University

This Sign Above The Human Cadaver Lab At My University

T_Canks Report

#6

Ominous Sign At A Disused Nuclear Bunker In Essex

Ominous Sign At A Disused Nuclear Bunker In Essex

Top_Brilliant_8662 Report

Business signage has a pedigree just as old as roads. Indeed, the proverb "A good wine needs no bush," likely comes from a Roman tavern. For less literate citizens, certain symbols would be used, which we might still see today, for example, the white and red of a barber’s pole and three circles for pawnbrokers. 

#8

The Racoon's Choice

The Racoon's Choice

ScottFilmCritic Report

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#9

Light Blew Out On A Canadian Wendy’s Sign

Light Blew Out On A Canadian Wendy’s Sign

lauraintacoma Report

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#10

In Chicago Near The Former Site Of The Argonne National Laboratory, An Early Site Used For The Manhattan Project

In Chicago Near The Former Site Of The Argonne National Laboratory, An Early Site Used For The Manhattan Project

Either_Coast Report

#11

These Have Always Been The Scariest Signs To Me. Those Markers Aren’t Even Close To The River. Great Falls, VA

These Have Always Been The Scariest Signs To Me. Those Markers Aren’t Even Close To The River. Great Falls, VA

hallowissmol Report

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

Mt. Sentinel in Missoula, Montana has lines across it from the various water lines of the glacial lake that formed behind ice dams. Dams broke, massive wall of water flooded Washington. Missoula was 1000 feet under water 10000 years ago.

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#12

My Science Teacher Put This On His Door For Lab's Safety Week

My Science Teacher Put This On His Door For Lab's Safety Week

Cormax Report

#13

I Wish This Sign Had "Aaaaaaaa!" Caption

I Wish This Sign Had "Aaaaaaaa!" Caption

butt_huffer42069 Report

#14

When It's So Bad You Need A Sign

When It's So Bad You Need A Sign

Montego61 Report

#15

Weird "Are You Dreaming" Sign Found In A Psychologist's Waiting Room

Weird "Are You Dreaming" Sign Found In A Psychologist's Waiting Room

BlueSparksFly Report

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

Um
 how about a different option. This one is a recipe for a nightmare.

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#16

Michigan Tech Strikes Again

Michigan Tech Strikes Again

Jimmy_Slim Report

#17

The Numbers Are Exaggerated, But The Warning Is Valid

The Numbers Are Exaggerated, But The Warning Is Valid

makerofdust Report

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#23

A Sign At My Local Nursing Home

A Sign At My Local Nursing Home

virgin-sharpshoop Report

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

This is likely a secure dementia wing. Very understandable. Not cursed at all.

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#24

"Stop Extreme Heat Danger" Warning Sign, Death Valley National Park, California, United States

"Stop Extreme Heat Danger" Warning Sign, Death Valley National Park, California, United States

MollyMayham Report

#25

This Warning Sign

This Warning Sign

Kat3410 Report

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Mark
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#26

Good General Policy

Good General Policy

Chunderhoad Report

#27

Found On An Abandoned Building 20+ Miles From The Closest Town

Found On An Abandoned Building 20+ Miles From The Closest Town

sabrecoffeecat Report

#28

This Sign At My Local Hospital

This Sign At My Local Hospital

magicbluebear Report

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

It's a sign in a UK hospital, there is a big issue with some public building being discovered to be made from crumbling concrete. Schools, hospitals etc. are at risk from concrete used in the 60's that we've now realised it not very safe. Here is an article from the hospital where this sign is from https://eastangliabylines.co.uk/crumbling-concrete-in-our-regions-hospitals/

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#29

I Go Camping Here Every Year. There Used To Be A Lake Behind This Sign But The California Drought Took Its Toll

I Go Camping Here Every Year. There Used To Be A Lake Behind This Sign But The California Drought Took Its Toll

yungbiscuit Report

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

Well, definitely swim at your own risk. And the future of children under 14 is screwed accompanied or not.

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#30

On A Commercial Waste Bin

On A Commercial Waste Bin

gopniksquatting Report

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

Sadly people don’t always follow this. When I was 15 there was a 17 year old kid who ran away in the ICU next to me. He fell asleep in one of these and the garbage truck didn’t see or hear him and began crushing the garbage, and him. Both his legs had to be amputated below the knee. Be safe people.

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#32

There's A Story Behind Every Sign

There's A Story Behind Every Sign

Hawkilles Report

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

In my state, the department of transportation was required by state lawmakers to put up signs that read "Do Not Drink From Toilets or Urinals Non-Potable Water" in their rest areas at one point. They had the sings made and put a few up before the law was rescinded and they were required to take them down. I now have one of these signs that was never installed in my living room because I find it amusing. Maybe there's a story or maybe it's just somebody trying to cover their butt so they have no liability if a story does manage to come about.

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#33

McDonald's In Malaysia Is So Scary

McDonald's In Malaysia Is So Scary

sheenablue Report

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

It might be a local campaign of honest advertisement. Like:"Billions and billions screwed" or "Here you grow again" or "I'm farting it"

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#35

Was At The Flower Shop With My Son Today And Saw This Sign. Let's Just Say He Didn't Leave My Side

Was At The Flower Shop With My Son Today And Saw This Sign. Let's Just Say He Didn't Leave My Side

shrff50wmr Report

#36

Don't Feed The Squirrels In Zion National Park

Don't Feed The Squirrels In Zion National Park

hate_mail Report

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

My grandmother told the story about the time a squirrel fell out of a tree onto a little girl’s head. The squirrel freaked out and so did the child. The squirrel began clawing at her scalp and hair. My grandmother said she would never forget the little girl’s screams. The doctors had a hard time closing her scalp. She had so many stitches and staples and she was scarred for life physically and emotionally.

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#37

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Unclestupidhead Report

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

"may" is the big word here. It depends on age, physical ability, & weather conditions. And how fast or slow you go.

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#38

A Sign From A Local Lighthouse. And They Still Get Tourists Falling In The Ocean

A Sign From A Local Lighthouse. And They Still Get Tourists Falling In The Ocean

B34TBOXX5 Report

#40

Wittenoom, Western Australia. Previously An Asbestos Mining Town

Wittenoom, Western Australia. Previously An Asbestos Mining Town

ausmacuser Report

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

I highly recommend the yt video titled ‘Australia’s secret Chernobyl’ by Fern. Wonderful mini documentary on Wittenoom

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#42

Sign I Found On The Inside Of A Security Door Of A Fast Food Restaurant

Sign I Found On The Inside Of A Security Door Of A Fast Food Restaurant

kingdillon Report

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

Sign you found on the inside of a security door of a fast food restaurant where? 0.o

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#44

Squash Courts Don't Play Around

Squash Courts Don't Play Around

S0meAsianKid Report

#45

Found This Halfway Through A Nature Trail

Found This Halfway Through A Nature Trail

mech101v Report

#46

This Sign Near The Top Of The Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

This Sign Near The Top Of The Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

gigamosh57 Report

#47

This Sign In Yukon

This Sign In Yukon

reddit.com Report

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

There's a sign on the West Coast National Road (N7) in South Africa which says an emergency phone is just 97 km away.

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#49

Stop, But Do It In A Goth Way

Stop, But Do It In A Goth Way

smokyartichoke Report

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Darius S. (he/him) cis/grey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

screws not painted, someone took the time to do the painting elsewhere and Then install the sign. i'm not sure how/if the painters tape is involved.

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#50

Road Sign Near My House Is Both Blank And Covered In Bullet Holes

Road Sign Near My House Is Both Blank And Covered In Bullet Holes

little-red-cap Report

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#51

It Means That If You Fall Into It, You Will Certainly Die. Not That You Might Die

It Means That If You Fall Into It, You Will Certainly Die. Not That You Might Die

Uncoloured_Steve Report

#52

Casual Belt Sander Fires

Casual Belt Sander Fires

MercWithAMouth95 Report

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

Good advise, dust and fine particles tend to explode quite impressivley

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#53

Light House On Lake Erie

Light House On Lake Erie

Drunkin_Dino Report

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

Wild. Imagine a noise making device capable of warning ships miles away damaging the hearing of someone standing nearby.

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#54

At The Hot Springs Today

At The Hot Springs Today

global_peasant Report

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

so, did the scalding water do a 180 and walk away, or is that what you're supposed to do?

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#55

Never Considered The Danger Of Moose While Skiing

Never Considered The Danger Of Moose While Skiing

lemurwrangler Report

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

Surely "Caution, Skiing Moose in area" would be more gramatically correct?

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#56

Sign Above A Kids' Bathing Pool In South Africa

Sign Above A Kids' Bathing Pool In South Africa

throcorfe Report

#57

Mildly Scary Sign. Made All The Scarier By Presumably 70s/80s Artwork Of A Child

Mildly Scary Sign. Made All The Scarier By Presumably 70s/80s Artwork Of A Child

BellisBlueday Report

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

I grew up in the country and lived across from a sand quarry that was across a creek. Me and my friend would always play over there on the weekends. We used to play on the equipment and climb the huge sand mounds. We used to jump of the equipment that loomed above the sands mounds. I don't know what is was called, kind of like a conveyor belt. The cooling ponds always freaked me out though but, the dogs loved them. This was the 70's/80's when no one knew where you were at.

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#60

Falkland Island's Warning

Falkland Island's Warning

makerofdust Report

#61

Hidden Volcanic Cracks

Hidden Volcanic Cracks

orangenormal Report

#62

These Signs Are Posted All Over The Walking Trails In My Town

These Signs Are Posted All Over The Walking Trails In My Town

Tibbenator Report

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

In my county, there is a significant wealthy district and a significant low-to-middle income district. A bear was spotted in the wealthy district and the residents were up in arms that it came into their district instead of the "poor" district. I guess they have more appealing trash.

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#65

A Warning Sign In A Woodwork Shop

A Warning Sign In A Woodwork Shop

oliver1223 Report

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

But given the recent successful transplant of a complete eyeball, maybe in 10-20 years? Note: Looks like the eye is healthy after about 2 months or so. Connected to muscles and blood vessels. Recipient still cannot *move* the eye, but that may come in time. I understand they made an attempt to connect the optic nerve, and it apparently sorta worked, but the recipient cannot see out of that eye. At the very least, it will take time for the eye and brain to learn how to handshake across that connection, and I'm sure they have a lot of work to do to make that part of it work, but progress is being made. The recipient had a live wire go off in their face, and also needed a partial face transplant.

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#67

This Is A Pretty Ominous One At Hanging Rock State Park In North Carolina

This Is A Pretty Ominous One At Hanging Rock State Park In North Carolina

Waveali Report

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

Nice place for a picknick (yes, I know it's a different Hanging Rock)

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#68

It's A Little Cold But I Still Kept An Eye Open

It's A Little Cold But I Still Kept An Eye Open

VenomXTs Report

#69

Fire Extinguish System With CO, Risk Of Suffocation

Fire Extinguish System With CO, Risk Of Suffocation

pm-me-your-games Report

#70

Popping Off At Breckenridge, CO

Popping Off At Breckenridge, CO

jish_werbles Report

#72

Parking Across The Street From A Playground

Parking Across The Street From A Playground

Ex-RagnarokKnight Report

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#74

Sick Chickens

Sick Chickens

sasquatchin-the-wood Report

#75

Think Before You Go In

Think Before You Go In

twin-shadows Report

#76

This Sign By My Local River Spot That I've Been Seeing Since I Was A Kid

This Sign By My Local River Spot That I've Been Seeing Since I Was A Kid

Inamoratos Report

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

I love my dog as much as anyone - but it is MY responsibility to be sure it is not harming others, be it human or livestock, animal. BTW same with cats

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#78

Another One From North Carolina State Parks

Another One From North Carolina State Parks

Waveali Report

#79

This Sign A Local Wendy’s Still Displays

This Sign A Local Wendy’s Still Displays

your_dopamine Report

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

This looks like the output of my old HP inkjet when it was getting low on ink.

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