Have you ever received a voicemail greeting that left you scratching your head or even laughing out loud?
We’ve all been there – stuck in a never-ending loop of automated messages or awkwardly recorded greetings. But what about the ones that are clever, witty, and even a little bit mischievous?
Reddit users once shared their most memorable and clever voicemail setups, revealing how humor can elevate the standard “leave a message after the tone.”
In this post, we’ll explore some of the most creative and humorous voicemail greetings that have been shared online.
The Cleverest Ways to Answer Your Phone
The Classic Fake-Out
One of the most popular approaches is the “fake conversation” greeting.
Rileymanrr shared how his voicemail used to start with a simple, “Hello? [pause] Ha, gotcha, leave a voicemail.” This type of fake-out confused callers, including himself.
After leaving his phone at his cousin’s house, he dialed it back to see if anyone had found it. When his own voicemail greeted him with “Hello?”, he started a conversation—only to be fooled by his own recording. Watching his dad laugh at the mishap just made it worse.
Another Redditor, tooeasilybored, used a similar strategy. His greeting was simply, “Hello?…hello?” It drove people crazy for two years.
The Over-the-Top Scenarios
Some users took a more creative route. Armin_the_fabulous recorded a long-winded voicemail where he engaged the caller in a pretend conversation, ending with an awkward excuse: “Uh, I kind of have to pee, so I guess I’ll talk to you later! Bye!”
Though it worked for a while, it led to some awkward moments when his dad tried calling and found his phone turned off.
Drakesylvan took the creativity to an extreme, enlisting a friend to help stage a fake fight for his voicemail greeting.
The scenario involved being attacked by a man with a knife while his friend created gruesome sound effects by stabbing a watermelon. Unsurprisingly, his mom did not appreciate the gory message.
Outrageous Pranks and Unexpected Twists
Voicemail pranks don’t always have to be complex. Sometimes, a quick twist can do the job. DjSkein shared his brother’s voicemail greeting that ended abruptly with, “Hey… yeah… cool… alright, bye.” This quick, casual end caught callers off guard, often leading them to think the conversation was over before they realized they were still on voicemail.
Another clever example came from 2dontlist, who employed a robotic voice that warned, “Emergency response vehicles are currently being dispatched to your location.” The absurdity of the message left many callers confused and entertained.
Pop Culture Inspirations and Funny One-Liners
Some Redditors drew from pop culture for their greetings. ParisGypsie referenced the voicemail pranks from the animated series Archer, while Ahurlly cited Logan’s voicemails from Veronica Mars as inspiration. These references brought an extra layer of fun for fans of the shows.
On the other hand, simple one-liners can also make an impression. Mildly_Sarcastic shared his greeting, which cheekily stated, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used by me to return your call.”
A Nostalgic Take on Clever Greetings
From fake fights to unexpected endings, voicemail greetings have long been a playground for humor and creativity. Whether it’s using over-the-top scenarios or pop culture references, these messages give a glimpse into how a little wit can turn a simple task into an unforgettable experience.
Next time you update your voicemail, why not try one of these clever approaches? Just be sure your mom, dad, or boss has a good sense of humor.
