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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. 

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    #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

    #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.

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

    I remember there was a drought few years back, and in the park there was a huge sign saying “DANGER OF DROWNING” and you couldn’t even see where this dangerous pond was.

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

    Just Look at How Far you Have to Walk over What once was the Bottom of the Lake to Reach the actual Water Now!!

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

    The good news is, as of several days ago, there is officially no drought in any part of California!

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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

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    #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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