Avid We readers may remember the piece we did on the subreddit r/OldSchoolCool, where people share content from the past that still looks fantastic today. But now, we have something similar yet totally different for you — its weird “cousin” r/OldSchoolRidiculous.
Created back in December 2013, this online community is pretty much the same as its “relative”, only it laughs at previous eras instead of celebrating them. The outdated stuff these folks feature varies from offensive social norms to tacky fashion trends but they all remind us of the irreversible passage of time.
#1 …where Do I Even Start?
#2 “Fun For The Entire Family”
When it comes to describing their past, people tend to exaggerate. For example, parents who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s lie about their youth to make them seem cooler.
Research shows the most common fibs are that they were punks or goths or went to Glastonbury Festival or Ibiza before they became “too commercial.”
They also claim to have been part of anti-Government protests or have been present at key sporting events.
#3 Startled Bystander At The Annual Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, 1994
#4 Prince Roller Skating On His Tennis Court At Home. Photo By Jeff Katz, 1989
#5 Mister Merry’s Play Lighter
A survey of 2,000 British adults revealed 73 percent have lied about their pasts, with 30 percent doing so just to impress the younger generations.
Attending Live Aid, joining a youth sub-culture, and taking part in a political protest top the 1980s lie list.
#6 An Undercover Police Officer On Duty. New York, Brooklyn, 1 July 1969. [855 X 1200]
#7 Lester Walker’s Turniture II, 1970
#8 A Striking Beauty, Postcard From Around 1908
#9 Braniff Airlines Stewardess Uniforms, 1969
Trips to Glastonbury or Ibiza, YBA art exhibitions, and edgy haircuts are most commonly lied about for those who grew up in the 1990s.
More than half of the people surveyed (57 percent) admit they weren’t as cool as they make out, while some parents say they can’t actually remember what they got up to.
#10 Hair Done By Phillip Mason, 1965. Photo By Richard Blinkoff
#11 Asbestos Shoveling Competition
#12 This Ad In A 1968 Life Magazine
#13 Famous Architects Dressed As Their Buildings At An Architect Ball, 1931 (Names/Buildings In Comments)
Interestingly, nearly a quarter admitted it was easier to lie before life was documented by social media and camera phones, but a fifth believed people would still try.
#14 “Baby Cages” Were Window-Mounted Playpens That Were Once Used For Apartments To Ensure Babies Get Fresh Air, 1937
#15 Children Car Seats In The 1940s
#16 Gay Bob — The World’s First Gay Doll For Everyone!
#17 Burger King Am Radio With Burger Headphones. These Were Produced Exclusively For Radio Shack In 1983
However, one in two people revealed that at some point they were still caught out when telling a made-up or exaggerated story about the past. Which makes you wonder, could it have been someone who was featured on this subreddit?
#18 Pure Luxury
#19 Rain Goggles For Racing Car Driver. In An Open Car, The Fan Would Start Moving At About 15 Miles Per Hour, Putting The Tiny Wipers In Motion And Clearing The Water From The Lenses. England, 1930s
#20 Ladies, Dr. Swift Is Here To Massage Away Your Troubles From Neck To Knee (1850s)
#21 How I Lost My Husband… And Won Him Back Again!
Despite the evidence of exaggeration, 41 percent said they believe their generation was cooler in its heyday than young people today. The coolest decade was voted to be the 1980s (27 percent).
#22 Matching Outfits In 1952
#23 Burnt Orange Carpeting In A Supermarket, 1970s. What The Hell Were They Thinking!
#24 Martians And Venusians In A 1961 Episode Of TV Series The Twilight Zone
#25 The Day My Kid Went Punk, Abc After-School Special (1987)
#26 German Band Exmagma, Album Cover For Goldball, 1974
#27 Du Pont Cellophane (1955)
#28 The Establishment Wig, 1968
#29 It’s Lunch Time At The No Barriers Alligator Farm. Florida C1920s
#30 Typical Redditor, Mid-1960s
#31 Uncle & Nephew At Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, 1981
#32 The Scorpions, 1974
#33 Eiderlon Panties (1970s)
#34 The “Dog Sack” Invention, Which First Appeared In The June 1935 Issue Of Popular Mechanics
#35 Paul Hogan Meeting Queen Elizabeth II (1980)
#36 Bryn Owen Aged 17 With His Vespa Scooter, Which Has 34 Mirrors And 81 Lights On The Front And Back, All Bought With His Pocket Money, Leicestershire, England, 1983
#37 Your Mum May Have Owned This
#38 1939 Proposal To Identify Bad Drivers With A Special License Plate, Memphis Tennessee
#39 Eat Ironized Yeast (1930s)
#40 “Jesus Use Me”
#41 This Really Requires No Explanation
#42 Models Promoting Farm Fertilizer, 1956
#43 The Presto Whip Building In Dearborn, Michigan, 1976
#44 Space Age Fashion By André Courrèges, 1960s
#45 Scott Tissues (1940s)
#46 How… How Do You Begin To Eat This?
#47 Sun Tan Pills (1970s)
#48 Eastern Airlines (1967)
#49 “After You Put On The Old Feedbag, You’ll Be Glad You’re Wearing Slim & Slender Control-Top Pantyhose.” – 1971
#50 Du Pont Cellophane (1955)
