
When you're a young student, a lot of the stuff that teachers do is confusing. You're forced to go along with the lessons they teach, the assignments they give, and the things they say.
And why do you go along with it? Because you're so young you don't have any true knowledge or understanding of the world. So you're forced to trust that they know the write way to teach and instruct.
But when the years pass and you become an adult yourself, there's an opportunity to look back and reflect. You remember some of those confusing assignments and, lo and behold, they're still confusing.
Only now that you're older, you don't have to take the teacher's word for it. You can call it for what it truly was: bizarre and ridiculous.
polly1nyara asked, "What was the weirdest school assignment you were ever given?"
Flipping a Frog
"We had to dissect a frog, then clean it down to the bones, then glue the bones together to make the body, then make a creative scene for the body to be in" -- MarsupialRage
"Serial Killer 103?" -- JeremyTheMVP
"I would hate this assignment but only because frog bones are So. Small. And easily breakable."
"It would just be an exercise in frustration trying to glue it back together, especially without all the equipment they use for articulating skeletons." -- CoyoteWee
A Classic Assignment
"In college psychology we were told to devise a (safe and legal) social experiment of our choosing and note how the people around us acted."
"For example, dressing as a baby and walking around public, sitting down in an elevator with arms wrapped around your knees rocking back and forth not talking to anyone, etc."
"I can't remember what I chose to do anymore since it was so many years ago but it was a fun class."
-- Aerionne
A Surefire Way to Create Empathy
"We picked colored papers at random at the beginning of the week and each color would be our social class for the rest of the week (I.e. yellow paper = king, blue paper=soldier etc.)"
"I remember getting the second best card and I got a lot of privileges, so it was fun for me."
"Can't say the same for the kids who got lower cards, like peasant or prisoner."
Wut.
"My fourth grade teacher went to Disney World, came back, told us all about it, and then made us write a five paragraph essay on her trip." -- armadillollidamra
"Haha what an a**hole!" -- Poor_University_Kid
Bit of a Reach
"I took an accounting class in college. It was about credits/debits, accounts billable/payable, FIFO/LIFO, etc. The term project was to go to two fast food restaurants of your choice, eat there, and then write a report comparing the service."
"At the time I didn't even question it but in hindsight I have no idea what the deal was."
"I did McDonald's and Chick-Fil-A"
Logistically Unsound
"I'm an art student and our first big project was to go to B&Q (diy shop for people who don't know) and paint an aisle."
"The worst part was we had to literally sit down in an aisle and draw while people were shopping around us it was SO awkward and everyone hated the experience with a passion."
-- Nookaalex
In Cahoots With the Publisher?
"My whole PE class in college, we needed a textbook, homework was to read the chapters."
"Student: is there a quiz on this? Teacher: no this is a PE class well test you in the field and in the gym and see how you improve. Student: is the book mandatory? Teacher: yes it's required for this class."
"We literally had boatloads of reading every week from an overpriced textbook that no one bought and we never got quizzed on it."
-- skraatatta
Class Bonding
"For a psychology project, we were assigned to exercise in our clothes till they're drenched in sweat. After that, we had to place them in ziplock bags."
"The next day we had to blindfold ourselves and guess which person owned which clothes based on the scent of the sweat." -- SarcandIron
"How is that related to Psychology at all?" -- Mrchikkin
Dr. B Sounds Like a Rad Dude
"My favorite and weirdest assignment was from Dr. B in high-school. He gave us the assignment of planning out and writing how we would kidnap him without killing him or anyone seeing."
"I had a very detailed plan that included using his relationship with other teachers to coerce him out of his classroom unsuspectingly, creating clorophorm in the science lab (which I had access to and confirmed we had the ingredients needed)..."
"...storage of him under the stage in the band room (had my own keys as head of drumline), and picking him up after hours and taking him out the side exit which had no cameras and was accessible by a road through an orchard (again, no cameras)."
"Taking him to the band room to be chloroformed, gaged, tied up,, and stored under the stage would all be achieved during my TA period (where I usually just wandered class to class cause my teach didn't care)."
"When he handed back assignments I didn't get mine back. Instead I just got a sheet of paper that said 'see me after class.'"
"Shi**ing my pants I stayed, and he told me 'I don't think I've ever had a student whose plan would actually work..... you terrify me.'"
"We both laughed, I got my paper back, and I left the room with 'well... let's just hope I never fail a test.'"
"Weirdest and most fun assignment I had in high school. His point was to engage students in their writing with their mischievous side."
RIP
My high school creative writing teacher asked us to write our own obituaries. Sounds morbid, but it was actually a lot of fun to write/share. Some classmates took a serious approach and wrote about what they hoped their life had been like (fulfilling career, lots of kids, etc.). Some went in a darkly comedic direction and described hilarious accidents that culminated in their death.
Birthday candle fire
We did something similar for an introductory French class on Halloween - we paired off, then each had to draw a gravestone for our partner, with their birth and death dates plus cause of death. My partner said I died on Halloween, killed by a falling jack-o-lantern. I accidentally used my partner's birth date as their death date as well, so I said they died in a "birthday candle fire."
Probably not even the weirdest assignment we had to do. Our French teacher was good at her job.
Lettuce not ask questions
A 300 word essay about if we would choose cabbage seeds or cabbages
Happy feet
Draw a tap-dancing penguin with a monocle. My 5th-grade teacher loved art and so sometimes she would give us random topics to draw once we finished our work.
Rumpelstiltskin
Middle school science teacher told us to draw a machine that turns straw into gold. Yes, the assignment was total BS but that was what she asked us to do. She deemed my elaborate matter conversion device "not detailed enough" and gave me a C.
To this day I have no clue what she was trying to accomplish other than making her students hate her.
Ice ice baby
In my child psychopathology class last semester my prof had us put ice cubes in all of our food that had some form of liquid (so like soup, yogurt, pasta sauce, etc), as well as our drinks for two weeks. The assignment was to get us addicted to the presence of ice cubes in our food and drinks and to really make a habit out of finding ice cubes and planning our day around it like an addict.
I had to bring an ice cube wrapped in tin foil in a plastic bag to work so I could put it in my fruit cup later that day. There were some foods that I outright avoided so that I wouldn't ruin it with the ice cubes for those two weeks. Very weird assignment to say the least, but effective nonetheless.
Historical lessons
That sociology class where they made some of us wear marks and show papers for a week like we were Jews in Nazi Germany was pretty crazy.
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Americans often drop popular sayings in conversation that have some element of truth to them.
You've undoubtedly come across phrases like, "Kill two birds with one stone" or "it's raining cats and dogs."
While those are used to describe actions, like the state of the weather, there are other phrases that are dispensed as words of wisdom to help individuals through a challenging situation.
But the endeavor to console someone by using this tactic is not always effective.
Curious to hear examples of this, Redditor Braca5 asked:
"What popular sayings are bullsh*t?"

These sound familiar?
The Survivor Mentality
"whatever doesn't kill you just makes you stronger."
– WhenTardigradesFly
Vanity
"Looks aren't important."
"It's true. They don't always or entirely matter, but they do. That's kind of how superficial humans are."
– Ok_Chain821
Not Every Pain Heals
"Time heals all wounds."
– sweetechoes2008
"There's another one that goes like this 'time heals nothing, it just replaces memories.'"
– Fulcinnamonroll
The stigma around this is so foul, the guilty will lie about their offensive crime.
The Gas-Leaker
"He who smelt it dealt it"
– MrGeekman
"Whoever said the rhyme did the crime."
– Neoptolemus85
Psychology Around The Guilt
"The irony is it's almost always the opposite that's true. Most people would rather just be quiet about a fart than try to put it on somebody else and as it is you usually become pretty accustomed to your own and probably don't even smell half of the ones that slip out so likely the person who dealt it is going to be one of the last to actually consciously smell it."
– Vanilla_Neko
Playing by the rules doesn't always get you places.
Playing Dirty
"Cheaters never win."
– MadAsH3ll
"A better saying:"
'Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it Treason.' John Harington (1561 - 1612)
– Suibian_ni
Comeuppance Never Comes
"What goes around, comes around."
"Bullsh*t. I've seen people be jerks my entire life (I'm 57 y/o) and they never got what should have come around to them."
– Feels2old
Thing About Karma
"Worse, it's an excuse to not take responsibility. A few years back, I had discovered a nasty person who was fooling the public by buying dogs from Amish auctions of out of state, bringing them, unvaccinated, across state lines, and pawning them off on the public as 'rescues' but also taking loads of donations when she was not registered as a charity. She was not using the funds for medical care. The gal was a flashy blonde in designer clothes and knew how to fool people."
"The county authorities were investigating and needed more evidence. I approached the owner of a local pet supply store where she operated her scam and asked him to cooperate. He banned her from the store but completely refused to cooperate with the investigation. Excuse, 'Karma will get her.'"
"B*tch got off with just a fine when she would have faced animal cruelty charges."
"Karma? No, it's not a thing."
– ShowMeTheTrees
Those who adopt a passive way of thinking end up making up for lost time.
Turning A Blind Eye
"Out of sight, out of mind."
"Ever lost track of a spider?"
– Samuelabra
How Much Time Do You Have?
"Good things come to those who wait."
– P13r15
Lond Distance Relationships Aren't For Everyone
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder”
– Quirky_Mongoose_401
I think those who say "if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life," is debatable.
Depending on the situation, being forced to do something you once loved so you could earn a living can potentially breed resentment.
I'm a former dancer who absolutely lived off the adrenaline of performing on a stage. But when the cast I was performing with at a theme park was forced to do the same rigorous show five times a day–sometimes in intense heat–I was miserable.
Once, I severely twisted my ankle mid-performance simply because I was physically exhausted but continued giving it my 100% when my body was ready to give out. That's when most performance-based injuries occur.
That phrase certainly got a second hard look from me back then.
No two people share exactly the same likes and interests.
But on occasion, one might find themselves being among the few, if not the sole members of a certain fan club.
Indeed, while Cats earned a place on the list of the worst movies of all time, its 19% score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests that there are a handful of people who actually liked it.
Or while many people dread having to clean their homes, some simply can't wait to get started, and will look for any and every opportunity to do so.
Redditor StardustNova_ was curious to hear where members of the Reddit community found themselves in a distinct minority of appreciation, leading them to ask:
"What's something you like that the vast majority people hate?"
You've got me all tied up in knots!
"I love untangling things."
"Your Christmas lights end up in a ball and there’s no telling where it starts or ends?"
"Give."
"Got a necklace that got rolled up into a total mess?"
"I’m your de-tangler."
"Headphones come out of your pocket looking like a Tangela? "
"No problem!"
"Total zen for me."
"Wish I could make a few bucks with it tho."- Not_Jo_Mama
I'm all ears!
"People that talk a lot so I don’t need to."
"I like listening to them & I find their energy refreshing."- krasavetsa
Jet setter!
"Everything about the airport."
"Idk why but it’s so fascinating."
"Honestly I like it more than the trip sometimes lol."- abigailgwhitney
"The cold never bothered me anyway"
"A Winnipeg winter day where there's not a cloud in the sky or a breath of wind, but it's so f*cking cold out your nose hairs freeze together every time you breathe."- FakeLordFarquaad
When life gives you lemons...
"Apparently a lot of people don't like the lemon/yellow starburst candy, and that's the one I prefer."- mermaid_with_pants
Sudsy, soapy dreams...
"Doing the dishes."
"I find it so calming."- shakensunshine
The gift that keeps on giving.
"Wrapping presents!"
"It's super therapeutic and relaxing to me."
"I'll wrap everyone's presents in the house, even the ones they have to give to other people!"- happygoose2022
Sweeet and sparkly!
"Fruit flavored sparkling water."- suitcaseinherhand
Can't dive too deep!
"Writing essays."
"I got addicted to research when I was in college and something about putting everything together to present a coherent argument is just exciting for me."- ILoveFoodALotMore
It's always interesting to hear the thing which would make some people groan with misery that would make others cheer with glee.
Nor should always look down on someone for loving something you absolutely hate, as they could help you wrap those presents you've been putting off because you hate it so much.
And who knows, maybe Cats wasn't as bad as you remembered...
It's usually a good feeling to be "on top".
To be found at the top of the list of a notable or unique accomplishment.
Though having the distinction of being in the top 0.1 percent of something might not always be something to brag about, resulting in some keeping this distinction to themselves.
If only because some people might be unusually fascinated by their so-called "accomplishment", that they'll never stop being bombarded by questions.
Redditor ImLostInTheForrest was curious to hear if any members of the Reddit community believed they were in the 0.1 percent of anything, be it commendable, bizarre or unfortunate, leading them to ask:
"What’s something you believe you may be in the 0.1% of?"
A mighty heart indeed
"Scars on my heart."
"I have about 30, I think."
"On my 4th heart procedure, I had 24 cardiac ablations."
"They use radio waves to kill tissue to create scarring so that effectively signals can't travel through that way."
"During one procedure, epicardial, meaning both inside and outside the heart. by the top electrophysiologist on the east coast."
"He said only one other patient of his had more done in one procedure."
"Took 10 hours."
"I could hear the nurses gossiping about me in the hallway."
"This was 7 years ago, and now my heart is working great!"- pearlie_girl·
Extremely comfortable in my skin
"Half of my body is a birthmark of tan skin, and the other half is pale white."
"It's right down the middle of my stomach and same with my back."
"I've only ever seen 1 person online with it saying 'chimerism' but idk if that's same with me."
"Idk but it's uncommon." - User Deleted
Still standing!
"Still living with stage IV lung cancer for 13 yrs."- Flashy-Cattle-8086
Big shoes to fill indeed...
"Shoe size."
"I wear a size 18."- wearegoodthings
Love your job!
"Don't know if it's less cool because I do it for work, but I 'photograph' atoms and crystalline atomic structures most days."
"I get to see the world in a way few ever do which is kinda neat."- RayseBraize
An exclusive club no one wants to be part of...
"I have this condition called Miyoshi Myopathy, which, thankfully, affects only my calves and hence my walking capabilities."
"My doctor told me it is rare, but tbh statistically rare does not really mean anything, everyone might have it but they either did not get out of their way to test it, via taking blood and had it examined in a lab, or they just never realized there was something wrong at all."
"If you are wondering why I said 'Thankfully it only affected the legs', it is because it is a muscle disorder, and some disorders affect Cardiac, heart, and Pulmonary, lungs, muscles that will obviously not be pretty."
"I have to get tested every year to make sure all my vital functions are normal and as of now nothing significant is noted and I should be living a long and healthy life."- 1123Icantthinkofname
Just one?
"Apparently only 0.1% of people become mechanical engineers in the US and an even smaller percentage are women, so maybe that?"
"I was also less than 2 lbs when I was born, and I think the percentage is probably similar."
"I somehow have no lasting physical issues from that, though my sister has cerebral palsy."- s_p_o_c_k
Plenty to go around!
"I have 3 functional kidneys."
"No it doesn't mean I pee more."
"No it doesn't mean I can drink more alcohol, thats the liver."
"No I won't sell it for under $71,241." - User Deleted
While some wouldn't necessarily consider some of these things an accomplishment, all of them certainly make for fascinating conversation starters.
Seriously, where would the third kidney even go...?
They say there's no use crying over spilled milk, but that doesn't mean there's no use in saying something to diffuse the tension.
When something goes horribly wrong, a comment that comes out of left field or a quippy comment can make everyone feel better.
Once a particular comment proves effective, there's also no real reason to look for something else. Instead, the aforementioned comment becomes your go-to.
In order to find out what those effective comments are, Redditor CruelHandLucas asked:
"What is your favorite thing to say when something goes terribly wrong?"
It's A Story
"This is good for the plot."
– mega-unicorn
"I always say "It's just a part of the character development""
– A_Trash_Homosapien
"whenever something goes completely the wrong way i think “ooooh plot twist”"
– coolio_Didgeridoolio
Starting Over
"“Let’s start again, but this time with feeling,” is one of my favorites."
– frustratedmachinist
"I want this on my gravestone"
– -PM_ME_UR_SECRETS-
I Meant To Do That!
"One time when I used to work in a kitchen the head chef accidentally clipped the chip/fries bowl where you dump freshly cooked chips/fries to season them and sent it flying across the kitchen and crashing to the floor with the clang that only stainless steel kitchenware can emit. Without missing a beat he went "I'll just pop that there for a sec" totally deadpan and turned back to the counter by the passe where he was finishing plating some dishes. Something about the humour of it cut through all the chaos of the busy kitchen and I was in tears of laughter. 10 years later I still say "I'll just pop that there for a sec" any time I knock something over, no one else seems to find it as funny as I do but it still entertains me."
– aightshiplords
"In my kitchen when someone drops a plate or anything its mandatory for someone to tell them “that doesnt go there”"
– vancitypuck
"Sometimes before things even hit the ground I'll proclaim "Take that, floor!""
– Beowulf33232
British Responses
""Well that's not ideal, it's it?""
"I'm British."
– eezgorriseadback
"Best friend is British. When we play golf and she hits a bad shot she just says, "well that's unfortunate." And I love it."
– Lrv130
"i usually just shout “BIT SAD INNIT” in a British accent."
"…. My friends hate me"
– goneandsolost
"YES, QUITE BLOODY MISERABLE, I MUST SAY"
– UserNombresBeHard
Show No Emotion
"Brilliant."
"With a neutral expression, and unemotionally."
– ocelotrevs
"I do that but I say “Joy. Deep joy.” Completely deadpan lol."
– BluelunarStar
You Never Saw Me. You Never Even Knew Me.
"I was never here"
– RandomGuyWithStick
"I was never given a name"
– danielstover
Stopped Too Soon
"I picked a hell of a week to stop sniffing glue"
– YouWouldThinkSo
"Whadda week to stop shooting shark adrenaline."
– DA_BATTLESUIT
"Zoinks!"
"“Ruh roh”"
– Deleted User
"Ah gee scoob..."
– TheSimpsonsCouch3
Those Cartoon Responses
"Great googly moogly"
– Nekumori
"I'm with this or "Oh bother" like pooh"
– timbit87
All Eyes On Me
"I like to pause time with a loud record scratch and say "yup. That's me. I bet you're wondering how I got here.....""
– My_Sh*tty_Alter_Ego
Sometimes, when things go horribly wrong, all you want to do is bang your head against the wall...sometimes, until you knock yourself unconscious.
Or, maybe you want to scream and cry and hide in a corner.
However, finding something fun to say may be the best response...and the best way to de-stress and move on.