30 Funny Signs That Made Us Do a Spit Take

Michael Hartley

5 months ago

Funny Signs Spotted In The Wild

Updated September 22 2025

On a road trip last summer, I pulled over for gas and met a masterpiece: “NO LOAFING—BREAD WILL BE PROSECUTED.” I nearly dropped my snack. That’s the power of funny signs—you’re minding your business and suddenly you’re wheezing at plywood wisdom written in permanent marker.

The best ones aren’t even trying. A missing comma, a rogue arrow, an overconfident pun—instant sign fails. Whether it’s a “SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY” sign that accidentally threatens kids or a restroom label that doubles as an escape room puzzle, funny street signs flip errands into stand-up sets.

And then there’s bad signage that goes fully chaotic: handwritten Ts & Cs on a bodega door, rules so specific you know a very specific person broke them (“Do not microwave fish again, Carl”), or hazard warnings that read like poetry slams. The more official it looks, the funnier the mistake lands.

Design adds spice. Tiny fonts on giant walls. Arrows pointing at moral dilemmas. Clip art that changes the entire meaning. If you want to go deeper after this gallery, drop these into your bookmarks: The Ultimate Gallery of Sign Fails, Storefront Typography That Went Off the Rails, and Public Notice Disasters You Have to See—perfect companions when you need more deliciously unhelpful directions.

Seasonal note: late-summer fairs and roadside produce stands are peak hunting grounds. You’ll catch funny signs pushing corn like it’s crypto, lifeguard boards warning “NO DROWNING,” and lemonade stands that accept “cash, vibes, or dog photos.” Bring your camera; bring your restraint.

What I love most is how democratic the laughs are. Corporate billboards, church marquees, HOA sandwich boards—everyone’s one typo away from viral glory. And every time you think you’ve seen the best one, a new plywood prophet arrives to humble you.

30 funny signs

A funny sign at a bar limiting when Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" can be played.

A funny sign at a mechanic's shop listing an hourly rate that increases if you watch, help, or give advice.

A funny sign that looks like an official workplace sticker saying "Employees must stop crying before returning to work."

A funny sign on a window warning that geese are trying to enter, with a goose peeking in from below.

A funny sign at a zoo or wildlife park warning visitors to watch out for giraffe headbutts.

A funny sign taped above a hotel microwave that warns guests not to microwave an egg because it will explode.

A funny sign in a hallway warning people that their private conversations in a specific corner can be heard in a room.

A funny sign from a road work crew on a digital display, threatening to put the potholes back if people speed.

A funny sign at a public restroom that specifically bans people from washing horses in the bathroom.

A funny sign at a game store requiring players to shower and wear deodorant before entering.

Now that you’ve scrolled the chaos and stocked your camera roll, you’re officially licensed to giggle at curbside typography. If you want more hyper-local hilarity, cruise over to 30 Translations Fails Too Funny Not To Read, 30 Spelling Mistakes That Deserve Spellcheck, and45 Restaurant Plating Choices That Need a Rethink—same energy, fresh disasters.

Author bio: Mike Hartley once took a detour 12 miles off-route just to photograph a sign that said “ABSOLUTELY NO ABSOLUTES.” Worth it.

Michael Hartley

Michael Hartley, or just "Mike," is an editor and seasoned meme historian whose articles have traced the evolution of meme humor from early Impact-font classics to today’s TikTok sensations. With nearly a decade spent as senior editor at ViralHype and as a regular contributor to Cheezburger, Mike has dissected the rise of meme legends such as Bad Luck Brian, Success Kid, and Doge. When he's not hunting down meme gold for Thunder Dungeon, Mike teaches workshops on meme marketing and the psychology behind shareable content.