15 People Share the Wildest Excuses That Were Actually True

Some excuses sound so outrageous that they should collapse the second they leave someone’s mouth, but every so often, they turn out to be completely real.

That is exactly what makes these stories so good, people were late, missing, or in trouble for reasons that sounded impossible, until the proof showed up. From blown-up cars to swans blocking the road, the details get stranger the more you read.

And once you get to the end, you may never trust a “crazy excuse” the same way again.

1. He had bigger fish to fry… totally understandable.

“A student emailed me and said he missed the midterm because his car blew up. He sent a picture of himself with the burnt car and police in the background, and he looked just *so* defeated. The email went something like this:

“Dear Professor,

I’m sorry for missing the midterm, and this is going to sound like an excuse, but my car blew up. I’d really love a chance to re-write the midterm. If not… well, sorry again. I had bigger fish to fry.”

I let him re-write the midterm, lol.”

Some excuses are so wild they only make sense after you see the evidence.

In the article "15 People Share the Wildest Excuses That Were Actually True," the fascinating realm of human creativity in excuse-making is explored. Our inherent need to justify our actions often leads to the development of elaborate narratives, particularly in difficult circumstances. The true stories shared highlight this propensity, showcasing how individuals craft unique explanations that reflect their personal experiences. These justifications not only provide a temporary escape from stress or guilt but also reveal a deeper layer of human emotion and vulnerability. By examining these wild excuses, readers are encouraged to foster a greater sense of empathy for the unusual stories that shape our lives. Understanding the motivations behind these narratives allows us to appreciate the complexities of the human experience, turning seemingly absurd tales into relatable moments of authenticity.

2. No one wants to lose a team member.

“I was playing an online game when a party member said, ‘F*ck, gotta go, quake!’

Fortunately, they were unhurt because it was the horrendous Christchurch earthquake that, if I recall correctly, killed dozens.”

3. First thing Monday morning.

“A guy we worked with didn’t show up one day. We tried calling him, but there was no answer. After a few days, my coworker and I went to his house; there was no answer at the door, and his car wasn’t in the driveway. After a couple of weeks, we figured he had taken off somewhere, and the boss processed his termination papers for not showing up.

About a month later, the guy showed up on a Monday morning in uniform, ready to work. It turns out he had been in a car accident and was in a coma for weeks. He had no immediate family and no way to let us know.

He ended up getting his job back.”

That one went from “missing employee” to “everyone feels terrible” fast.

4. She had two lions in her backyard?

“My friend came to class back in high school with a ripped uniform shirt and told us the lions got it.

As it turns out, his mom was a vet for a zoo and had two cubs in her backyard. They saw his shirt flapping on the line and did what cats do: shredded it.”

5. A SWAT sniper took my car.

“A coworker of mine said he couldn’t come into work because the police wouldn’t let him. Everyone at work called bullshit, and then he sent us a picture from his window of a SWAT sniper using his car to monitor another building in his complex. Apparently, there was a hostage situation. Everyone ended up being safe!”

6. Peacocks.......they always do that.

“I was late to work once because a peacock was in the middle of the road. My boss didn’t believe me until the next day when the peacock blocked the road while he was coming in.”

7. Bravo is all I can say.

“I’m a high school teacher. About ten years ago, I had a student say he didn’t do the homework because his car caught fire on his ride home, and his textbook was in the back seat. I was suspicious, but he quickly produced the badly charred textbook, which was also completely waterlogged from when the fire department put out the fire, and asked me if I could issue him a new one.

It’s possible that he burned and soaked his textbook in an effort to get out of doing the homework. If that was the case, bravo.”

8. A perfect storm.

“Someone was running late for something due to a traffic accident and a road being closed. So they tried an alternate route, and that was closed for a different incident. They called and said that they’d try another way.

The third route was blocked for something else. They called again, said they gave up, and went back home. They checked the news, and they weren’t making any of it up - there was no escape from their neighborhood for a while that day; several main roads were shut down for various reasons.”

9. Floaty Unicorn

“A friend told me he was late for tennis because he was stranded on a huge floaty unicorn on Lake Huron.

It turns out he and his girlfriend rode out on the lake and couldn’t get back. He had to call me and the Coast Guard because the unicorn was too big to drag back; for reference, it was 60 lbs when not inflated or wet.”

This is similar to the AITA post where she felt ill and canceled the cooking date with her boyfriend’s mom.

10. Swans are dangerous.

“Sorry mate, a swan wouldn’t let me out of the car.”

It turns out it was true, as he was on the phone with his mom screaming, and she takes great joy in telling us this story.”

11. My neighbors run a meth lab.

“My neighbor's house blew up, and the cops won't let anyone leave.”

It was an active meth lab, and he couldn’t smell anything, apparently.”

12. A hostage situation.

“A guy never showed up to work, and we couldn’t get hold of him on the phone.

It turns out he had been trapped inside a bank during a robbery that became a hostage situation. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.”

13. He got stabbed.

“Asking someone I knew to go to the bar and hearing, ‘I can’t; I got stabbed,’ turned out to be true. He sent me the video footage from the bar where he was stabbed. It was over a game of pool, arguing over the rules. The guy waited in the bushes until bar close and stabbed him in the back. The cops did catch the guy, and the victim was okay after the hospital.”

14. A friend gave birth in my car...

“An employee was late to work because she had to scrub down her car after her friend gave birth in it. They were on their way to the hospital and didn’t get there fast enough.”

15. "Do what you gotta do"

“I’m gonna be late; there’s a naked crackhead on my roof. Waiting for police.”

“You can just say you’re running late, dude.”

**sends picture message of a naked crackhead on his roof**

“Wow, there is a naked crackhead on your roof. Do what you gotta do; I’ll cover.”

That is one excuse nobody was going to argue with.

What’s the craziest but true excuse you’ve ever heard?

The collection of true yet wild excuses shared in this article underscores a captivating facet of human behavior.

Additionally, the concept of social proof plays a significant role in how these stories are received. When one person's excuse is accepted, it creates a ripple effect where others feel more comfortable sharing their peculiar experiences. This suggests that shared experiences can enhance group cohesion and understanding.

Therefore, the wildness of an excuse may be less important than the collective validation it receives from peers.

Relating to Unusual Experiences

It's important to recognize that sharing unusual or unbelievable experiences can serve as a coping mechanism for individuals. Engaging in storytelling can provide relief from the stress of everyday life, allowing individuals to connect with others through humor and shared absurdity. Research indicates that laughter and shared stories can significantly reduce stress and enhance social bonds.

In fact, studies show that humor can be an effective tool in navigating life's challenges, providing a sense of perspective and resilience.

Sometimes the truth is stranger than the excuse.

Building a Culture of Openness

Encouraging a culture of openness and acceptance can foster environments where individuals feel safe to share their wild stories. Group activities that promote storytelling, such as team-building exercises or casual gatherings, can create safe spaces for sharing.

Implementing practices that celebrate authenticity can lead to enhanced interpersonal relationships and a greater sense of community.

The wild excuses shared in the article not only entertain but also uncover fascinating insights into human behavior and our inherent need for social connection. Each story serves as a reminder that creativity in explanation can foster empathy and understanding among individuals. The varied nature of these excuses illustrates how, even in moments of mischief or folly, people seek to relate to one another through shared experiences. By embracing and sharing these narratives, we not only find humor but also strengthen our bonds and cultivate a more resilient community.

The Role of Humor in Excuses

Humor plays a significant role in how we perceive and communicate excuses.

The collection of wild excuses shared by individuals not only showcases the creativity inherent in human behavior but also reveals the underlying motivations that drive these narratives. Each excuse, whether amusing or absurd, reflects a unique aspect of personal experience and highlights the challenges people face in daily life. As we delve into these stories, we see that they often combine humor with genuine struggles, offering a glimpse into the complexities of human interactions.

By engaging with these excuses, we open the door to deeper conversations about honesty, vulnerability, and the pressures that lead to such inventive justifications. These tales serve not only as entertainment but also as a reminder of our shared humanity, encouraging empathy and connection among individuals who might otherwise remain strangers.

For another “family emergency first” blowup, see what happened when someone canceled a group vacation for AITA.