True comedic genius lies in brevity and simplicity. If you can make your audience laugh in just a few seconds, it’s safe to say that you intuitively understand how humor works. Not all lovers of comedy end up doing stand-up, though.
Some of them end up in graphic design. We are featuring some of the most hilariously creative and creatively hilarious signs, billboards, and warnings ever made, as shared on the ‘Funny Signs’ online community. They’re the kind of jokes that are so good that we want to hang them in our living rooms… and we wish we thought of them first!
#1 What A Deal!
Image source: Z_NomadYT
#2 Yappy If Not Daisy
Image source: Choice-Web5761
#3 If You Can
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
Some people (the lucky ones!) instinctively know how to make others laugh. Others take a more academic approach to comedy, humor, and laughter.
No matter which of these categories you fall into, the fact is that you can learn to amuse and entertain other people. This requires understanding the psychology of humor. And that means getting to grips with incongruity.
Let’s get into it!
#4 You Are Here
Image source: MountainsSands_2024
#5 Too Many Fish In The Sea Anyway, Joke
Image source: DistributionSad960
#6 Ok, Maybe I Should Watch For My Dog
Image source: Sbrman_WR
The American Psychological Association emphasizes that, according to research, incongruity is the key ingredient in getting others to laugh. Another vital factor is uncovering an unspoken truth.
Topher Bellavia, a member of the Washington Improv Theater, points out that creating successful scenes means mirroring the world in a slightly askew way.
#7 I Actually Laughed At The Tsunami Joke
Image source: RuddyRaccoon
#8 I Want To Know About The Incident That LED To This Sign
Image source: Intrestingly_Amazing
#9 Hmmmmmmmmm
Image source: Educational_Bus_363
Showing the world from a slightly different perspective means leaning into absurdity and exaggeration.
“Our basic mantra is ‘truth in comedy.’ People want to see themselves on stage, and they want to see people they know on stage. When they see that, it resonates with them and it causes them, for some reason, to laugh,” Bellavia told the APA.
#10 Don’t Think It Will Happen
Image source: AltanConn
#11 Stop ❌ Stob ✅
Image source: Salt_Lingonberry3956
#12 There A 2 Possibilities, One Of Which I Don’t Like
Image source: nikita_trymore
And yet, improv pros and comedians aren’t always sure why they make others laugh. It sometimes comes as a surprise to them, too.
“As a performer, [audience laughter] can be very disorienting. Sometimes I’ll do something that I don’t even intend to be funny, and it will be hysterical to someone,” another member of the Washington Improv Theater, Anna Trester, said.
#13 Today’s Special
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
#14 You Understand Old Man?
Image source: Austingrey2you
#15 Job Ads These Days
Image source: BigAffectionate4785
According to researcher and psychology professor Rod Martin, PhD, at the University of Western Ontario, incongruity, an idea or object being out of place, lies at the heart of humor.
Furthermore, the juxtaposition of truth and incongruity provides the audience with different perspectives on situations that they find familiar.
#16 This Was At One Of The Dining Halls At My College A Couple Years Ago
Image source: Fluffy_Fox_9650
#17 Why Is This So Accurate?
Image source: Most_Mistake5652
#18 Holy Water
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
In a nutshell, humor helps you see the familiar in a fresh, new way by focusing on a mismatch between your expectations and reality.
However, what’s also needed is a playful atmosphere where there’s no threat.
“There could be things that are incongruous, but they aren’t funny. Someone walking down the sidewalk and being hit by a car is incongruous, but not funny,” Martin explained.
#19 I Love My Vet
Image source: bigbabygrit
#20 I Wonder What Kind Of Establishment This Is
Image source: Choice-Web5761
#21 Don’t Let Anyone
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
Meanwhile, humor researcher Jyotsna Vaid, PhD, stresses the importance of setting up expectations in jokes, only to go down a different, surprising route.
In other words, you take your audience on a short, playful journey where you give them something unexpected.
“In ‘garden path’ jokes, you think you are being led in one way but the real humor comes in being tricked,” Vaid said.
#22 Sign In A Lithuainian Forest
Image source: Affectionate-Cat3886
#23 This Is Not A Trash Can?
Image source: K1NN3Y-182
#24 I’d Plant Some Pork Chops Too
Image source: DistributionSad960
In the meantime, communications professor David Ritchie, PhD, at Portland State University, noted that people’s enjoyment of humor largely comes from the fun of going through the mental gymnastics of getting to the true meaning.
However, Martin explains that if you want to go further than a chuckle or two, you need to provide a perspective on unspoken or even uncomfortable truths.
There’s a lot of depth to be found in pointing to things that everyone knows but won’t speak about. There is one caveat, though: you won’t find the truth funny if you don’t agree with it.
#25 They May Want To Rethink This One
Image source: Aluciel286
#26 Norwegian Road Signs For Speed Bumps
Image source: filipsnolips
#27 A Rather Unfortunate Name For His Choice Of Profession
Image source: dondegroovily
The ‘Funny Signs’ community has been amusing and entertaining the entire internet for nearly a decade and a half.
It was created way back in April 2012. Now, more than 14 years later, the group still draws in around 53,000 online visitors every single week.
Community members are encouraged to share fresh content while also avoiding faked or forced jokes. We believe it’s this focus on humor and originality is what has helped this group stay relevant throughout the years.
#28 Make Good Decisions
Image source: AltanConn
#29 Respect Your Parents
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
#30 Hey, That’s Mime
Image source: AltanConn
Tell us what you think, Pandas!
Which of these signs were your favorites, and why? Are there any that are so good that you would genuinely decorate your home with?
What are the best, worst, funniest, and most creative signs in your local area?
Share your thoughts (and pics if you have any!) in the comments section at the very bottom of this list. We’ll keep an eye out for your perspectives.
#31 How It All Started
Image source: 69erxxx
#32 Seen On Vacation In Alaska
Image source: retiredGPA
#33 What Exactly Do They Mean Here?
Image source: Choice-Web5761
#34 This Road Sign Combo Looks Like Someone Is Being Abducted By A UFO
Image source: negadtseef
#35 Seen At A Teacher’s Strike In Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Image source: late_to_redd1t
#36 You Eat. You Go Home!
Image source: Choice-Web5761
#37 Zero Chill From The Parks Department
Image source: Accomplished_Bar_390
#38 Best Friends
Image source: Used-Bandicoot-7961
#39 In Front Of A Bookstore Bb
Image source: Talny123
#40 But What If Your Legs Were Broken In The Accident?
Image source: Strange_Syrup1844
#41 Three Over And The Speed Sign Got Personal
Image source: TheFenceLine
#42 Danger, Hole
Image source: Deep-Count2590
#43 Hangovers And Memories
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
#44 At A Barbershop Nearby
Image source: jonandgrey
#45 Say What You Will
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
#46 Slowest Elevator In Warsaw. Raced It Down 4 Flights And Still Beat It By 30 Seconds
Image source: birds-plants-trees
#47 Ducks Have Laser
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
#48 Mosquitoes Away
Image source: DistributionSad960
#49 Don’t Let The Swan In
Image source: JulieMeryl09
#50 They Wouldn’t Support My New Hobby
Image source: nejhawk
#51 Friend With 2 Chins
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
#52 Advanced Theology 101
Image source: nejhawk
#53 I Can’t Believe This Is Necessary. Airport Bar
Image source: TnnsNbeer
#54 When The Shark Week Comes Unexpectedly
Image source: DistributionSad960
#55 Who Knew? Must Be A Trick
Image source: orlanthi
#56 I’m Not Much For Competition, I’ll Pass
Image source: TabCompletion
#57 Fast Service
Image source: Short-Brain-1313
#58 The Ladies Sorry Restrooms
Image source: TheBigfootContessa
#59 What A Relief, I’m Going To Be Safe!
Image source: Marambal17
#60 Spotted On A Glass Floor Bridge In China
Image source: bobby45800
#61 I Mean They Are Sleeping Right
Image source: Fresh_Bumblebee1260
#62 I Could Give Up On Cookies
Image source: AWEBO90
#63 Well, There Go My Plans
Image source: _SomeonePleaseHelpMe
#64 I’d Have To Agree With That
Image source: Candice_Cain
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