Silly Signs (12 Photos)

From sarcastic chalkboards outside pubs to googly-eyed “earthquake detectors” taped to walls, these signs aren’t here to inform — they’re here to amuse. Spotted everywhere from Canadian alleys to Californian trails, each one brings a small dose of absurdity to public spaces. In this collection: a petty painter’s revenge in Bolsover, warning signs for wheat field sharks, a lakeside pun you need to see to believe — and more.

More: 12 Times I Found Street Art Cleverly Using Its Surroundings


A yellow sign on a beige wall labeled "Earthquake Detection Kit" with two attached googly eyes as the humorous detection mechanism.

1. Earthquake Detection Kit

This hand-made “Earthquake Detection Kit” features two plastic googly eyes on paper, ready to wobble in case the earth moves. More like this!: Googly-Eyed Art (17 Photos)


A mural painted in tall white letters on a black brick wall reads “IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN?” with the word “WHEN” vertically stylized to fit narrow space.

2. If Not Now — In Toronto, Canada

Painted boldly on a black wall between two buildings: “IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN?” — a motivational reminder masquerading as street art.


A sign outside a British pub reads, “A LONG TIME AGO WE HAD EMPIRES RUN BY EMPERORS. THEN WE HAD KINGDOMS RUN BY KINGS. AND NOW WE HAVE COUNTRIES.”

3. Countries

Outside a pub, this chalkboard reads: “A LONG TIME AGO WE HAD EMPIRES RUN BY EMPERORS… NOW WE HAVE COUNTRIES,” hinting at the irony of modern leadership.


Two reversed signs read backwards text that reflects in a still pond to reveal “MIRROR LAKE” clearly, creating a clever visual pun.

4. Mirror Lake

Two signs nailed to a post say “ƎƆΛꟼ ИOЯЯIM”, which is revealed in the lake reflection below to read “MIRROR LAKE.”

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A reader board sign outside a business reads “PEOPLE WRITE CONGRATS BECAUSE THEY CAN’T SPELL CONGRAJLASHINS” in blocky uppercase letters.

5. Congrajlashins — In North Vancouver, Canada

This sign says: “PEOPLE WRITE CONGRATS BECAUSE THEY CAN’T SPELL CONGRAJLASHINS” — an intentional butchering of “congratulations” to make a point.


A wooden sign on a trail reads “PRIVATE SIGN. DO NOT READ” in all caps, creating an amusing contradiction.

6. Private Sign

A blue sign in the woods reads: “PRIVATE SIGN. DO NOT READ.” Too late.


Black text painted in capital letters on the side of a white house says, “WANT YOUR HOUSE PAINTING? DON’T BE LIKE TERRY. PAY THE BILL! NOW YOU WILL!”

7. Don’t Be Like Terry — Bolsover, England

On a house: “WANT YOUR HOUSE PAINTING? DON’T BE LIKE TERRY. PAY THE BILL!” A painter’s very public message about unpaid work. Read the story here!: Revenge on the Wall: Painter’s Message Goes Viral in Bolsover


A wheat field with dark shark fins sticking out and a wooden sign that says “PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE SHARKS,” blending surreal humor and visual play.

8. Do Not Feed the Sharks — Anne Melady in Ontario, Canada

In a wheat field, fake shark fins poke through golden stalks beside a sign: “PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE SHARKS.” About this silly sign here!: Please do not feed the Great Wheat Sharks


A long line of painted rocks stretches along a dry trail under a sign that says “This is a ROCK SNAKE! Please add painted rocks so we can see how long it will get.”

9. Rock Snake — Lake Elsinore, California, USA

A colorful line of painted stones slithers along a dirt path. A nearby sign reads, “This is a ROCK SNAKE! Please add painted rocks…”


10. “Luke, I Am Your Father”

A speech bubble sticker next to a ventilation pipe transforms the pipe into a character from Star Wars, completing the famous “Luke, I am your father” quote.


11. Love in Full Bloom — TABBY in Osaka, Japan

A girl with an umbrella stands under a branch dropping heart-shaped petals, painted directly on a street sign.

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12. Doggie Stick Library

A small yellow outdoor structure filled with branches arranged like a lending library for dogs.


More: Playing With Statues (9 Photos)


Which one is your favorite?


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