Moments Of Accidental Irony That Have Us Saying, “Well, Isn’t It Ironic”
It is often hard not to notice the universe has a sense of humor. Having expectations about the turnout of events or people’s reactions to certain situations almost always teaches us how unpredictable life is. But isn’t this exactly what makes the game of life fun, the suspense? If you’re aware enough, you’ll see life is even funnier than most people know. Imagine seeing a janitor cleaning up an iRobot store. Scenes like this are so funny that people can’t resist the urge to take a photo and share it with the world through the internet. Sometimes, these moments are so out-of-box that they transcend words. A typical definition of irony is the contrast between expectation and eventuality. We have dug to uncover and collect some ironic moments for your pleasure. Everyone hungers for a slice of irony once in a while (though we admit the word only loosely applies to a few of the pictures). Moments like these tend to stick in our memories because of how bizarre and out of place they seem from our regular experiences, and we’re sure you’ll be as grateful as we are that they were caught on camera.
That’s a Bad Dog
Imagine your puppy pretending to be a good boy throughout its training program, just to get back home and shred its certificate of Dog Obedience Training as a statement of some sort. We’re certain the pet owner experienced a mixture of feelings ranging from anger to amusement.
Once again, the universe shows us that no matter how much we try and shape our environment and even pets to our control, we still don’t call all the shots; nature pitches in. And what better reminder than a seemingly house-broken dog acting on its own inherent wild will.
The Hard-headedness of Man Prevails Once Again
Men can be hard-headed, ego-driven beings. Their tendency to engage in reckless behavior without thought is one of the reasons why statistics show that women have a longer life expectancy. Ask any wives you know; you’ll find that they agree with this fact and might even throw in some tales to stress the point.
A typical male buttresses the poster’s point by scribing yet another expression of stubbornness right underneath the text. The man was giving an example of irony, and whether or not he had knowledge of that fact does nothing to change how funny it is.
Back-Pain Medication in Hard-to-Reach Spot
Why not have your customers further injure their already tender backs while reaching for the medicine? Maybe it will lead to them needing larger doses for a longer period. It’s all about the money, isn’t it? Talk about market strategy!
Further investigating this situation exposes more irony. A convenience store that induces a significant level of inconvenience on customers. At the end of the day, the best idea for store owners out there is to make sure your products are within reach.
How Things Have Changed
This one is a list topper! How roles have switched – kids on a leash while a dog is in a stroller. These two events alone won’t have stirred so much reaction, but a happy coincidence has birthed a moment of irony.
If you think putting children on leashes is nuts, just hold your horses and wait until you hear mothers argue in support of them. You’ll be surprised to find valid logical reasoning. As for pups in strollers, well, we’re not judging that either.
Welp! The Dog Isn’t Chewing Anything Else
Dogs are really owning this article! It seems they are masters of the art of irony. Nothing screams “ironic” louder than a dog gnawing on an anti-chewing spray to pass the time. This photo is enough evidence to demand a refund.
The sheer humor in this situation is undeniable. However, you could argue that the product is serving its use by keeping the dog from chewing other objects, at least for the time being. This was certainly not what the owner expected to happen!
Why the Dog Monopoly Piece Out of the Rest
Of all tiny objects to swallow, it had to be the dog piece from Monopoly. We have a hard time believing this wasn’t a carefully orchestrated ruse by the dog, as it waited patiently for the punchline of the joke at the vet’s office.
The “best creature at irony” award clearly goes to these furry animals. They’ve proven to be man’s best friends for real, by showing high levels of intelligence to the extent of even adapting our sense of humor. Do we even deserve them?
Subway Advertising
This one is easy to miss, but hard to be unseen. How often do you see one chain contributing to another restaurant’s advertisement scheme? Only the most present and mindful of people are able to spot subliminal ironies of this nature.
While bustling about our activities, the universe has a clever way of making patterns that make us pause, and share in the cosmic humor while going about our mundane lives. In this case, these two restaurants have been chosen to be the humble vessels of the universe’s expression. Or this is the result of a creative marketing team. Either way.
The Domino Effect
And here we have a domino effect illustrated by Domino’s pizzeria, in a display you may call “the Domino’s domino effect.” Don’t ask us who started it. After getting bored of delivering pizzas all day, we guess the bikes have decided to unwind and have a little fun. Or someone knocked into them.
Thank you, passerby, for taking the time to capture this coincidental event on camera and share it with us. Your kindness will not be soon forgotten from our memories, and the same goes for the picture. Moments like these make life fun.
What in the Devils Is Wrong with Our Stroller? Oh!
A plain pin or nails could have infuriated the person pushing the stroller, but this ironic message left nothing but laughter in its wake. Outstanding performance art from a true anonymous genius. A true artist needs no recognition or fame.
The pin gets in the way just enough to get the pusher’s attention without completely stopping the wheel from turning. The build-up to the joke is definitely worthwhile. Imagine their faces when they discovered the message attached to their stroller.
Got to Find a Way amidst Thick Bush
We think what the boss meant by “finding a way” was actually seeking valid paths and not a disastrous shortcut. How does an organization literally branded to find ways wind up in a pickle themselves? Reads too well like a blind mouse leading other blind mice.
Hopefully, not too many investors and clients saw this compromising photo of the company’s vehicle online. What would have been even more hilarious would be a third party arriving to help them out branded with “find a way” – a way out of this mess.
Undeniably Ironic
The absurdity of selecting the Ford Escape for a prisoner transport vehicle is beyond measure. However, as obvious as it seems now that it has been pointed out, these things usually lurk just under the surface and don’t readily reveal themselves.
Too many prisoners must have gotten the wrong idea. After pausing to laugh heartily, it is only right that you wonder how many prisoners have taken this as a subliminal message for the hope of an escape or a sign of some sort.
The Company Doesn’t Pay Us Enough
Pardon the non-functional doorbell, the engineers are too preoccupied with fixing clients’ stuff and have little time for something that trivial. Still, expending effort that would have served better if used to repair the doorbell on a signpost seems like a misplaced priority.
It’s safe to assume that doorbell repairs have been done in the same workshop. You can see several different appliances and the like, ready to be fixed. But then again, as the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and knocking has served us well for millennia.
Seagull Hostile Community
We wonder why the seagulls are so rebellious; can’t they read? The water bowl is clearly marked in bold letters for dogs, yet these birds have had the audacity of dipping their beaks into it. Really, who told them they could do as they pleased?
Seagulls were in the habit of constantly mooching from the dog’s water. That led this person to the last resort of leaving an order. However, the birds have persisted as they like. This is a better representation of seagull behavior than irony.
Most Ironic Ad Of All Time
It’s safe to conclude at first glance that the proposed tutor in this newspaper could not teach any level of English or the person in charge of ads that week couldn’t type well. Frankly, the only person that would be fooled by this ad is one with little to zero knowledge of English. Master Yoda would probably do a better job.
More hilarious is the thought that a newspaper allowed this many typos to pass through its publication process. The hopeful tutor should have invested his money in a few solid classes instead of throwing away funds on this ad campaign.
Broken Ear, No Handle
Professor Roger broke down the irony in this situation and used it as an opportunity to address the common misunderstanding on the nature of ironies. Now, please cue the song “Ironic” by Alanis Morrisette, which lists events that are not at all under the umbrella of irony.
According to his explanation of the concept, a random broken mug handle is not ironic. However, it is the confluence of a broken mug handle modeled after a man’s ears. The man is Van Gogh. There you go! That’s an excellent example of irony right there.
Irony Is Best Served In a Roach Infested Restaurant
Since the inspection, things have certainly gone downhill health-wise in this establishment. What better place for the roach to announce its presence than right on the certificate. The juxtaposition of the bug and the A rating from the health inspection is as alarming as it is ironic.
The comfortably positioned cockroach beckons a few dozen friends into the restaurant. Quite alright; the photographer says the irony is delicious. But should we be bothered about the condition of his stomach afterward? Well, we get the idea he’s hungry for more of these moments.
Oh Snap, That Candy Bar Didn’t
This is not your typical snack-got-stuck-in-the-machine scenario. The candy car failed to exit the machine and proceeded to make fun of the hungry person – denied! It all seems like an elaborate prank planned by the chocolate bar and machine.
It’s all too well-timed, the candy rotating just enough to expose those letters and all. Irony often presents itself in a constructive turnout out of seemingly chaotic events. One must wonder if the person eventually got the candy in the end.
My Younger Sister Won the Ironic Gifts Challenge
When is a gift not a gift? When your younger sister gives you batteries instead of the thing they go in. The sister is a young prodigy. The loud irony here is unmatchable. We don’t see the older brother topping that one.
It’s a lovely moment seeing a family making humor the center of their holiday. Making this a practice will help us key into the other dimensions of comedy dispensable to us. It really is safe to say little sister won that year.
No Lies Found Here
The trash can obscures the rest of the text and creates a new meaning. Judging by the picture above the text, the trash can may have transformed an otherwise encouraging content into black humor. And this is probably our favorite entry on our list.
The trash takes on a clever play of words to create a non-forgiving note for the reader. For sensitive readers with existing regret history, the brutality of the irony might prove too heavy to find comic relief, so we hope the only people who noticed were those who could enjoy it.
The Holy Grail of Ironies
An ink-selling vendor promising to offer a continuous ink supply is unexpectedly all out. Despite the emptiness, the product’s label claims otherwise. One of two things is happening here; the store just became fresh out, or there is slow traffic of consumers. Therefore, it has been a while since a customer saw the product.
Either way, the irony between what is present and what is symbolized in words is breathtaking. They want us to never run out of ink, eh? Well, it seems like someone needs to lend them some extra ink or something.
Premium Irony
Cutting a piece of paper isn’t as simple as we are led to believe. This picture makes a statement and follows with immediate proof to back it up. We guess that’s why they say whoever wants a job well done should it themselves.
Someone misfolded the paper or cut it wrong, proving that as simple as a task may be, people will still somehow screw it up. This content delivers a stone that strikes two birds down simultaneously. It is hilarious and offers a valuable life lesson.
That’s Not Why He Picked the Stage Name
Would you look a that? It is 50 Cent on an album priced at … $0.50? The movement towards the digital age has significantly destroyed the value of classic physical CDs. Digital copies are more relevant in recent times and preserve the price of classics like this.
It’s interesting how this irony waited centuries to reveal itself. Only hip-hop heads might get this one. However, it’s easy to detect how the artist’s name and cost on the album title are identical. This one really requires no explanation.
Comic Book Commentary in Real Life
More items that seem to be conscious. The signpost had to announce its descent from its previous height. It looks as though the signpost was explaining its current awkward position to wade off criticism. It was also seemingly part of its very destiny.
This is one of those literal ironies. They burn into your memory for a long time. The signpost has likely found its new home closer to the ground. Upon further investing, this picture only gets more and more hilarious. Fell fell on Fell on Fell.
Kids Are Capable of Irony too
Little kids also subconsciously participate in the universal language of irony and can be masters before they can speak. Take the picture below, for example. A kid has chewed right around the body of a book with the title, Teeth Are Not for Biting.
However, in all fairness, this book must be referring to the use of teeth for smiling or in exchange for a dollar by trading your tooth in with the Tooth Fairy. The kid has explained another use experimentally by gnawing on the book.
How Convenient
A non-sticky stir fry pan having difficulty parting with the paper stuck to it -how ironic is that? The product has failed to live up to the expected design quality. You might call it a factory flaw; we call it some good old-fashioned irony at play.
We bet the piece of paper would taste good with some vinegar and garlic. Note, the sticky paper can be removed by boiling water. Then it simply slides out of the pan’s surface. Nonetheless, this one surely belongs on our list.
The Disk Already Warned You
The movie title reminds the user that the material is breakable by nature, and the damage should be accepted. Breaks on CDs usually happen while in the mail, and what an unfortunate accident for a movie called Unbreakable to be the one that breaks.
This example shows the happy accidents or coincidences that form some remarkable ironic moments in our everyday lives. They have the effect of making us ponder the very nature of such experiences. Of all movies this person could have ordered, this one shatters? Iconic.
Nicely Done
This is an example of the results managers could expect if workers gave themselves performance reviews. Writing “the job is well done” on the fortune cookie is certainly laughable. But they forgot the most important part. They literally had one job!
In this case, the irony is obvious in its classic sense as the contrast between a poorly done job and an excellent remark. The fortune belongs inside the fortune cookie, folks, in case you were wondering what the issue is.
What are the Chances
The forces of coincidence at play here could be likened to the very same that led to a person with the last name Pain becoming a doctor. The foreign language teacher is called Mr. English. It seems fated that this man was bound to teach languages right from his moment of birth.
Someone, please take a peek inside the office to confirm if that is indeed Johnny English. You can imagine how frequently students or fellow lecturers are quite curious and stop by his office to see the man behind the name.
Elk City
Only a sanctuary for other non-deliciously tasting birds besides chicken, perhaps. The proximity of KFC and the bird sanctuary sign, all appearing in one frame, is truly bizarre. KFC chicken must simply taste too good to be passed up by residents of Elk City.
Mixed signals are one of the channels in which irony reveals itself. Seagulls are probably allowed to drink from any water bowl of their choice in this city, but chickens should run for cover. This picture makes us chuckle.
All the Product Description for a Damaged Hand Dryer
Imagine walking into the restroom and checking out the hand dryer’s product description, only to look down and the device wrapped in rolls of cello tape. We’re sure the dryer is only temporarily closed since bathrooms are full of germs.
Would your reaction be disappointment, frustration, or hysterical laughter? We are betting on the last option. Thankfully, towels and tissues aren’t extinct yet, and you may not have to exit the restroom with uncomfortable damp hands. Even if you do, you have an example of irony.
Big Fish Outsmarts Fishers
Aren’t fish supposed to have the smallest brains? In this rare spectacle, this fish displays some high levels of intellect by playing these fishers with high-grade-professional fishing tools for a fool. And we thought only dolphins exhibited this level of intelligence.
We would like to see the look on these fisherman’s faces on discovering the big fish in the picture after a long day out by the water. If the story actually plays out like this, we envision the photographer having a good laugh.
Mind the Stray Gravel
There has to be something more to this than the picture lets us in on. Otherwise, we would like to have a word with the construction manager. Yes, let us ignore the dangerous blocks of rock and set up a safety sign for this tiny pebble.
It looks tiny, but that was all David needed to eliminate Goliath. It is human to sometimes lose the sense of the bigger picture and focus on the smallest things, but this funny detail is on a whole other level.
We are Hiring!
The contrast between the “Hiring” signpost and the “Going Out of Business” banner is simply laughable, seeing that they both mean the exact opposite. Most of the time, irony revolves around playing with two extreme polarities. This one does not disappoint.
The design team really didn’t get things into perspective before considering the job done. Landing a job like this and being the only employee on payroll sounds like a blast (even though you have to handle the workload of 30 people, at least for the time being).
Toners are Limited Resources
There are some serious trolls in this office. Have they ever heard of the concept practice what you preach? If they would audaciously consume an outrageous amount of toner in a simple one-page-print message, it makes you wonder what they consider toner wastage.
Conserving toner is a moral duty to all staff in an organization, but the irony of defining the purpose of the instruction while propagating it is hilarious. The boss might not be too happy to see how the message was delivered.
Store Display of Irony
This item up for sale gives the vibe of a Zen lesson. It’s almost as it was put on display for that end only and not truly for sale. We imagine an interested buyer getting: “Psyche! The item wasn’t up for sale. Go home and hang out with your family” from the person at the counter.
This is similar to the irony of the song “Price Tag” by Jessie J that goes: “It’s not about the money…we just want to make the world dance,” but is actually being sold as a music record for the money the song claims not to care about. The commercial irony should be a thing.
How Low Can It Go
No further warnings are needed. The signpost plus a dent looks something like the result of a low-flying object. There’s nothing crazy about crawling as slow as you can through this area at this rate. Perhaps the sign is actually too high?
And maybe the erector paid no attention to the low-flying projectile. Perhaps, the job of erecting the post was contracted out, and the contractor managed to complete the job without full knowledge of the job description or to notice the contents of the warning posts.
Are Those Robot Vacuums?
How ironic is this? Please tell us the woman wielding the mop is actually a robot. No customer that sees and notices this will look at the products on the shelf the same again. This delivers a pretty clear message if you ask us.
What are customers supposed to think when they see an attendant manually sweeping the floors in a robovac store? Sends a message that the organization doesn’t believe in the efficacy of its own product, so why should the customer?
Smoke Alarm Catches Fire
So what is supposed to detect the fumes of the smoke alarm in this case? Guess it’s fair to invest in a smoke detector for detecting fumes from smoke alarms that will introduce a level of safety. But how odd.
Mind if we ask whether the smoke detector has been smoking? Electronic devices are prone to burn caused by power faults, but some devices should not be allowed to do that; it is simply too embarrassing. We can’t imagine how this happened.
Worrying Never Helped Anyone
We are surrounded by this message. No worries – even if the sky might fall or you are stranded in a sinking vessel. Irony has led the text to read a different meaning. If you’re going down, it is best to go down with a smile. We guess?
Only there’s a little something to be worried about. This ship had the same confidence as the Titanic. Sad how they both went down. Here is irony again with the subliminal message or lessons. We reckon the message is the dangers of naming your boats something they can’t live up to.
Invisibility Spray For Sale
Okay, the invisibility spray has gone invisible. How convenient. There are so many questions with this one. Is the spray still there? How do the store owners know that it wasn’t snatched the minute it hit the shelf? Why isn’t this in a museum? Is it magical or advanced mad science?
Invisibility is one ability everyone wishes to have, so they can avoid awkward or unbearable situations. Imagine buying it for $7.50. You could hide objects and/or your entire self for a multitude of reasons. Obviously, an instructions manual on the use has to be attached to the package. We assume it has a time limit on its invisibility.
Ironic Crossroads
How do dead-end and new life point in the same direction? That’s a perplexing arrangement of signs right there. We’d like to think the elemental forces of wind have orchestrated this grandiose display of irony. Otherwise, it is simply madness or simple oversight – and where is the fun in that?
Another question is what shall one expect if they traverse down that road. There’s something curious about the eerie about the setup of the signs. There’s a promise of both the good (new life) and the bad (a dead end); one is uncertain whether either or both lie ahead. This stop could present a crossroad for a wanderer.
Antiquity Or Nah
And what do we have here? A fascinating verbal display of irony. From our understanding of antiques, they have to be relatively old. Daily-made tables are the exact opposite of old. Perhaps, in the carpenter’s defense, the tables are modeled like antiques. In that case, a sign reading “antique-looking tables” would have conveyed the message better.
We think the word he was going for was “aesthetic” – too bad he got mixed up, though. However, any kind of publicity is good publicity; the store is getting some attention for its ironic name. If this was the intention of the business owner, it sure is working.
We are Recruiting Young Talents
Bet this one was hard to spot at first sight. It’s one of those that dawn on you slowly. Due to the configuration of objects in this scenario (the trash can directly beneath the resume banner), the young lady’s reaching hand for a handshake could easily be perceived as a gesture for applicants to drop their resumes in the trash.
Honestly, the employers might have as well added: “drop your resume in the trash can below.” We feel bad for the hopeful applicants that have simply disposed of a resume that probably took a significant dedication of time and mental energy.
When a Dictionary Can’t Save You from a Typo
This misspelling, which can’t be easily dismissed as a typo, is an anomaly when you consider the environment in which it is striving. This is the dictionary section in a thrift store selling books, a source for knowledge on the meaning of words, including their spelling and pronunciation.
If the person wasn’t unsure of the spelling, how about cracking open a dictionary. But somehow, the universe has a funny way of bringing shocking coincidences of this manner to life. We bet the cosmos is sharing this moment of hilarity with us.