All Episodes

September 3, 2024 29 mins
Have you ever picked up a product and burst out laughing at its warning label? You're not alone! In a recent episode of The Absurdists, hosts Marlo Anderson and Mary Murphy took a deep dive into the world of the most bizarre and downright absurd warning labels ever slapped onto consumer products. Buckle up (but not in your wheelbarrow) as we take you on a wild ride through some of the most head-scratching cautionary notes out there! Don't Take Your Wheelbarrow on the Highway! Imagine cruising down the interstate, wind in your hair, sun on your face... pushing a wheelbarrow? Believe it or not, some manufacturers felt the need to warn against using wheelbarrows on highways. One can only wonder what series of events led to this particular piece of advice. Perhaps someone tried to hitch their wheelbarrow to the back of their car for a cross-country move? Beauty Sleep or Blow-Dried Disaster? We all want to look our best, but at what cost? Apparently, some folks needed to be reminded that using a hair dryer while sleeping is not a great idea. Our hosts had a field day imagining scenarios where someone might think this was a brilliant solution for staying warm in bed. Spoiler alert: it's not! Chainsaws: Handle with Care (and Common Sense) In a shocking revelation, it turns out that holding the wrong end of a chainsaw can be dangerous. Who knew? Marlo and Mary couldn't help but ponder the series of life choices that would lead someone to need this particular warning. Remember, folks: the part with the teeth? That's the business end! No Pets in the Microwave, Please! Just when you thought you'd heard it all, along comes a warning label advising against drying pets in the microwave. Mary's reaction to this bombshell was priceless, as she grappled with the idea that such a warning was necessary. Let's all agree to stick to towels for our furry friends, shall we? Sorry, Superman, You Can't Actually Fly In a blow to superhero enthusiasts everywhere, some Superman costumes come with a reminder that wearers cannot actually fly. Our hosts wondered if other superhero costumes might need similar reality checks. "Warning: Wearing this Spider-Man costume does not grant you the ability to shoot webs from your wrists." The Hot Topic of Ironing Ever been in such a rush that you considered ironing your clothes while wearing them? No? Well, someone out there must have, because there's a warning label for that! Marlo and Mary had a good chuckle imagining the convenience versus the excruciating pain of attempting such a feat. Other Gems from the World of Warnings The absurdity doesn't stop there. Our intrepid hosts uncovered a treasure trove of ridiculous labels, including: Night-all sleeping pills that warn they might cause drowsiness (You don't say!) Toilet brushes not intended for personal hygiene (We'll let you ponder that one) Stay Absurd, Stay Safe As Marlo and Mary wrapped up their laughter-filled exploration of warning label lunacy, they left us with an important reminder: keep your eyes peeled for the absurd in everyday life. You never know when you might stumble upon a warning label that defies all logic and common sense. So the next time you're about to use a product, take a moment to read the label. You might just find yourself chuckling at the lengths manufacturers go to protect us from ourselves – and maybe, just maybe, you'll learn not to use your hairdryer as a bedtime companion. Stay tuned for more absurdity, and remember: when in doubt, don't microwave your pets! Want more laughs? Catch full episodes of The Absurdists at theabsurdistsshow.com and follow Marlo and Mary on social media for your daily dose of the ridiculous!
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club

Welcome to Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club — the podcast where great stories, bold women, and irresistible conversations collide! Hosted by award-winning journalist Danielle Robay, each week new episodes balance thoughtful literary insight with the fervor of buzzy book trends, pop culture and more. Bookmarked brings together celebrities, tastemakers, influencers and authors from Reese's Book Club and beyond to share stories that transcend the page. Pull up a chair. You’re not just listening — you’re part of the conversation.

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.