50 Hilarious Signs Showing That Some People Really Do Let Their Imagination Run Wild (New Pics)

Whether it’s information, a plea, or an ad that’s put up on asign, many people pay no attention to them anymore. That is unless the artist behind the sign finds a way to catch their attention; and one of the most effective ways to do that is using humor or shock.If you want to see if that actually works, you can browse the list below: that’s where we put some of the funniest and most unique signs we managed to find on the internet. Go down the list, take a look at eachsign, and consider whether or not it would catch your eye if you saw it on the street. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to upvote your favorite ones, too!On the list below, you will also findBored Panda’sinterview with Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University,Maurice J. Elias, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on the role humor and surprise plays in regards to all kinds of signs.This post may includeaffiliate links.

If you want to see if that actually works, you can browse the list below: that’s where we put some of the funniest and most unique signs we managed to find on the internet. Go down the list, take a look at eachsign, and consider whether or not it would catch your eye if you saw it on the street. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to upvote your favorite ones, too!

On the list below, you will also findBored Panda’sinterview with Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University,Maurice J. Elias, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on the role humor and surprise plays in regards to all kinds of signs.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Coyotes In Toronto

Funny sign promoting fencing as a COVID-19 sport with humorous safety tips on a sidewalk display.

Funny sign on a billboard in Helsinki humorously welcoming visitors in November.

I bet you, yourself, have seen a sign similar to the ones on this list in the wild at some point in your life. Something so unexpected andfunny, you might have even done a double take to make sure your eyes were not deceiving you.Well, we wanted to learn why that is—why we take notice of certain incongruities or shocking messages in places we did not expect them to be—so, we got in touch with Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University, Maurice J. Elias, who noted that it’s expectations that play a big role when it comes to humor or shock and attention.

Well, we wanted to learn why that is—why we take notice of certain incongruities or shocking messages in places we did not expect them to be—so, we got in touch with Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University, Maurice J. Elias, who noted that it’s expectations that play a big role when it comes to humor or shock and attention.

Funny signs on a lawn with humorous text about not running for anything, just wanting a sign.

Funny sign listing reasons pet grooming costs more than a haircut, humorously comparing services.

In a recent interview withBored Panda, Prof. Elias explained that a big reason why people find things humorous is that they don’t meet their expectations; and they do so in a particular way that brings about surprise and delight.“This is a key point,” he said. “If I have no expectations, I won’t be surprised. That’s why so much of humor is topical and contextual.”

“This is a key point,” he said. “If I have no expectations, I won’t be surprised. That’s why so much of humor is topical and contextual.”

Funny sign on a billboard reads, “Some people should use a gluestick instead of chapstick,” near a vintage red car.

Funny sign encouraging against stealing from small businesses, displayed on a pegboard.

Funny sign on a highway reads “It’s a lane, not a birthright, let them merge,” over cars in traffic at dusk.

“The most enduring humor is about things that change relatively little—marriage, having children, work routines—that are so similar across time and contexts that jokes and humor related to these are transportable,” the psychology professor continued. “Of course, in cultures where these rituals are very prescribed, they won’t find things funny that most others might.”

Funny signs with a squirrel review on a billboard, critiquing tree service company humorously.

Funny sign on a counter, humorously asking customers to stand back behind the blue line.

Funny sign in forest featuring playful instructions for dog guardians and dogs.

Delving deeper into the significance of signs, especially the funny ones, Prof. Elias suggested that in public, signs can give us an unexpected way of looking at or thinking about something that otherwise was familiar or routine.

Cats behind glass with a funny sign that reads, “Please don’t let the cats out, no matter what they promise you."

Funny sign warning about cougars in the area, advising men under 30 not to travel alone.

Proceed With Caution

Ina piecefor Edutopia, Prof. Elias wrote how using examples of communication errors in news headlines—the so-called bloopers—can help teach students the importance of careful communication.“In the example, we use poorly formed and often unintentionally funny headlines as a way of getting students to pay closer attention to what they are writing and reading. So in this way, we are using humor to increase attention.”Arguably, the same method can be used to make sure people pay attention to your sign.

Ina piecefor Edutopia, Prof. Elias wrote how using examples of communication errors in news headlines—the so-called bloopers—can help teach students the importance of careful communication.

“In the example, we use poorly formed and often unintentionally funny headlines as a way of getting students to pay closer attention to what they are writing and reading. So in this way, we are using humor to increase attention.”

Arguably, the same method can be used to make sure people pay attention to your sign.

Humorous sign in yard showing “New Grass Loading” progress bar, mimicking computer software.

One Cardboard Sign To Rule Them All

Funny sign on window: “We think our staff is amazing. If you feel you can do better, we’re accepting applications!"

Summing up, Prof. Elias noted that our brains respond well to novelty: funny or shocking things are usually different ‘takes’ on things that are familiar, so they grab our attention. “But as most people know, watching the same shocking thing over and over again loses its shock value and it does not hold our attention as it did the first couple of times. The same goes for things we find funny,” he added. “We stop finding funny things funny and they don’t hold our attention.”So, make sure to stay creative with your signs! What works once, might not work time and again under the same circumstances.

So, make sure to stay creative with your signs! What works once, might not work time and again under the same circumstances.

Funny sign reads, “If cats could text you back, they would not,” on an outdoor billboard.

Humorous sign with crossed-out figure urinating and a warning of being filmed for YouTube, displayed on rocks. Funny-Signs-Billboards.

Funny billboards on a brick wall, featuring a humorous message about pay and gas bills.

Funny restroom sign with various gender icons and an alien, stating “Whatever… Please Just Wash Your Hands."

Funny sign with text: “Adults seemed a lot adultier when I was a kid."

Funny sign reading “Get that tattoo, your family is already disappointed” near a street with parked cars.

Funny signs billboard at Nichols Fire Dept reads: “Help Wanted, Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hats” with red and gold detailing.

Funny sign for “Holy Water Car Wash” with humorous slogan about washing your car.

My Garbage Collectors Got This Note This Morning. Tis The Season

Funny sign on a billboard reading, “Sorry, our entire budget went to excellent customer service."

Think That’s Good Thing

Funny sign on a tree with a yellow bird and exclamation mark on a woodland path.

Funny signs on billboards featuring rivalry between Ford and Chevrolet cars.

Funny sign with bold letters: “NO PARKING FIRE LANE NOT FOR 1 MINUTE OR 15 SECONDS NOT AT ALL."

Funny sign on a post reads, “Old dog, young dog, several stupid dogs, please drive slowly,” with a scenic background.

Funny sign with a graphic and text that reads, “One Small Step Forward, One Giant Leap For Civilization."

Blue road sign with arrows pointing left and right beneath the word “Food”, showcasing funny sign humor for a McDonald’s location.

Funny sign next to a candy box reads, “Take one or more, I’m a sign, not a cop,” on a grassy yard.

Funny church sign stating “Too hot to keep changing sign. Sin bad. Jesus good."

This Caught Me Off Guard

You Could Not Have Warned Me A Little Earlier

Funny sign on a light switch depicting a muscular body, humorously urging to leave the light on for men’s room accuracy.

Funny sign on a window: “Closed today due to the <em>gestures broadly at everything</em>”.

Humorous billboard with a cartoon bottle kicking a brain.

Funny sign on brick wall about a student parking a Fiat 500 in a former water fountain spot.

Highway digital sign with a funny message, “Mash potatoes not your head. Buckle up,” near 7th Ave and Exit 196.

Billboard with a humorous image of a goat in a rural setting under a clear blue sky.

How Many Accidents Do You Think Micheal Has Had?

Yellow caution sign with humorous “Danger Man Inside” message, placed on tiled floor.

Funny sign billboard with a person smiling, text reads “Not Selling Anything, Just Wanted to Be on a Billboard - Tony Davis”.

Funny sign on Pizza Hut billboard with playful text about pizza and plastic fork.

Funny signs: a poster questions if you’re dreaming, suggesting checking a watch or looking elsewhere to find out.

Spotted At A Brewery In Washington D.C.

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Funny church sign saying “Adultery is a sin; you can’t have your Kate and Edith too” outside a Methodist church.

Someone Keeps Putting Stickers On The Stop Signs On My Town

Sign on a safe with humorous warning about not removing cash, even for the president. Funny signs and billboards.

Yellow caution sign in public area featuring a funny image of a person slipping, highlighting the message “Caution Slippery When Wet."