Fake it till you make it! Whether you’re terrified to ask out your crush or you’re worried about finally taking the practical exam to get your driver’s license, you’ll feel much better once you finally have the courage to go through with it. Pretending to exude confidence might also be the perfect way to land your dream job or trick yourself into riding a rollercoaster. But there’s a time and place for being extremely sure of yourself, and the internet will not be very forgiving if you’re overly confident and incorrect…

Below, you’ll find some of the best posts of all time from the Confidently Incorrect subreddit. This community, which has 1.1 million members, is dedicated to calling out people who should really check their facts before posting online. So enjoy scrolling through these screenshots, and keep reading to find a conversation with communication expert Dr. Michael Gerharz!

#1 There’s No “I” In Happiness

“AITA For Refusing To Host Thanksgiving After My Sister Handed Out A ‘Family Code Of Conduct’?”

Boyfriend Accuses Partner In Chronic Pain Of Bringing Him Down, She Asks For Advice

Lindsay Lohan Leaves Fans Baffled As They Point Out Noticeable Change In Her Appearance

Image credits: TheRandomAwesomeGuy

#2 Well Maybe That’s Her Favorite Kind Of Yogurt

Image credits: reddit.com

#3 Let’s See Those Snarky Atheists Answer That

Image credits: reddit.com

We’ve all been there. You swear that one actor is in that film- no, you’re not mixing them up with someone else! Or you know for a fact that this song came out in 1997, not a year earlier or later. But sometimes, we’re just wrong! Everybody makes mistakes, and as embarrassing as it may be to have to own up to them, it’s even worse to dig your heels in and get called out online.

That’s where the Confidently Incorrect subreddit comes in. If you respectfully try to correct someone, and you’re actually right, you don’t need to worry about ending up here. But if you’re incredibly smug and simultaneously wrong, well, you might end up learning the hard way that you should be careful what you post online.

#4 Yea, No They Haven’t

Image credits: _Zach_F_

#5 Økay

Image credits: snackerjacker

#6 Just Wow

Image credits: hawa11styl3

To find out why people are so inclined to believe that they’re correct, even when they’re not, we reached out to communication expert and author Dr. Michael Gerharz. He was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and break down why confidence is so important.

“Confidence is the duct tape of communication — it can patch over a lot of holes, at least temporarily,” Dr. Gerharz shared. “Speak boldly enough, and people might just overlook the fact that you’ve built your house on sand.”

#7 How Dumb Can You Get

Image credits: gillug

#8 Mistakes Were Made

Image credits: BUTTHOLE-MAGIC

#9 Happy 8 Month Old Birthday!

Image credits: These_Pressure1327

So why do we become overconfident even when we’re wrong? “Because it works – at least in the short term,” the communication expert says. “Confidently stated nonsense can sound convincing, and it often leaves others too uncertain to challenge it.”

“Plus, when we project certainty, it’s easier to convince ourselves that we’re right, even when we’re not,” Dr. Gerharz explained. “You could call it a psychological safety blanket: ‘If I sound confident, no one will notice I might be wrong—even me.’”

“As the saying goes: ‘A bold assertion beats weak evidence.’ It’s a quick fix for uncertainty that creates the illusion of truth,” he added.

#10 I-

Image credits: DoctorRog

#11 Imagine Assuming People Erase Their Own Culture By Themselves

Image credits: diego_le_blanco

#12 Flag Code? In My America?!

Image credits: reddit.com

Clearly, the people featured on this list didn’t do a great job of correcting others. But is there a polite and respectful way to do so?

“Correcting someone is a delicate art, like defusing a bomb,” Dr. Gerharz says. “If you’re too blunt, it blows up; too cautious, and it still blows up. The trick is to snip the ego wire first. Keep the conversation focused on the idea, not the person. For example, saying ‘That’s wrong’ can feel like a personal attack.”

#13 My God

Image credits: KayJayAllDay

#14 Brb, Going To Dye My Hair Rainbow Colors So People Like This Will Be Repelled

Image credits: almostinfinity

#15 Basic Math

Image credits: incurvatewop

Instead of immediately telling someone they’re wrong, Dr. Gerharz recommends instead trying, “That’s interesting—I’ve always heard it differently. What do you think about this perspective?”

“Questions like these gently nudge toward the truth. They invite a conversation instead of launching a debate,” he explained. “Also, remember: nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one who doesn’t. If you’re swooping in to correct someone, make sure you’ve done your homework. Otherwise, you might end up as the next feature on the subreddit.”

#16 Hercules Doesn’t Know What The Word Boycott Means

Image credits: Dark-All-Day

#17 On How To Be Cool, And Not A Fool

Image credits: Intensly_Human

#18 Explain This

Image credits: JohnGoesWild

And if you realize that you’re made a mistake, Dr. Gerharz suggests simply taking accountability. “We’ve all been there: halfway through a passionate argument, only to realize we’ve been confidently—and gloriously—wrong. The best approach? Own it. Fast,” he told Bored Panda.

“Something like: ‘Wow, I totally goofed there. Let me set the record straight.’ This not only clears the air but shows you value getting it right over saving face,” the expert explained. “Bonus: it also makes you more relatable. People trust those who admit their flaws more than those who act flawless.”

#19 To Argue The Point

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#20 Who’s Gonna Tell Her?

Image credits: RoubenTV

#21 ”for The Last Time”, He Proclaimed

Image credits: reddit.com

“Think of it this way: correcting yourself is like rebooting your reputation. It might be a little awkward in the moment, but it keeps the whole system running smoothly in the long term,” Dr. Gerharz added. “Mistakes are inevitable, but doubling down on them? That’s optional.”

#22 Hmm… Yes. That Sounds Right. Zeus, Mr Horny Year Round, Has Only One Son

Image credits: reddit.com

#23 Hunting Vegies

Image credits: samrphgue

#24 And He Mixed Up Black Bear vs. Brown Bear Behavior

Image credits: geedunkgeek

“The next time you’re tempted to speak confidently without really knowing, ask yourself: ‘Am I trying to be right, or am I focused on getting it right?’ One feeds the ego; the other feeds the truth,” Dr. Gerharz noted. “And only one of those is going to keep you out of the Confidently Incorrect subreddit.”

#25 Princes vs. Princess. Plurals Are Difficult For Some

Image credits: reddit.com

#26 America Didn’t Import Slaves

Image credits: reddit.com

#27 Someone Doesn’t Understand How The Food Supply Chain Works… Or Agriculture, For That Matter

Image credits: reddit.com

We hope you’re enjoying your scroll through these facepalm-worthy pics, pandas! Keep upvoting the ones that you find particularly hilarious, and let us know in the comments below what the most ridiculous “confidently incorrect” thing you’ve ever heard someone say was. Then, if you’d like to check out even more screenshots like this, you can find Bored Panda’s last article featuring this group right here!