Misfortune Cookie? The Curious Case of a Fortune Cookie's Tautological Message

Avery Emberly

Updated Monday, July 15, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

Fortune cookies have long been a source of amusement, wisdom, and occasional confusion. The recent discovery of a peculiar fortune slip with the message "Your finances will be a key to your financial future" has sparked a lively discussion online, particularly on Reddit.

The fortune slip, captured in a photo, lies on a dark wooden table. The white, rectangular paper is slightly curved and crumpled at the ends, with the text printed clearly in blue ink. The simplicity and clarity of the image have made it a perfect subject for the internet's scrutiny.

One user amusingly noted, "Water is wet," while another quipped, "I think you may have received a Misfortune Cookie." The tautological nature of the message has led to various humorous comments, such as, "Many things must happen before others may occur," and "Water will be a key to your future wetness."

Interestingly, a user shared that their Chinese spouse confirmed the phrase is legitimate but might have lost some meaning in translation. This has added another layer of intrigue to the discussion, as people ponder the intended wisdom behind the fortune.

Some comments veered into more philosophical territory, like "Your happiness is key for a happy future," while others took a more cynical view, suggesting, "Rich people's parents' money is the key to theirs." The fortune slip has also inspired some to crave Chinese food, with one user stating, "Profound. Makes me want Chinese."

The post has also sparked a broader conversation about the nature of fortune cookie messages. One user observed, "It feels like ever since 2000, that fortune cookie messages have stopped becoming fortunes, and started to become statements." This sentiment was echoed by another who humorously noted, "Like to the point it may as well say 'you are reading this.'"

The blend of humor, cultural insight, and philosophical musing has turned this simple fortune cookie slip into a viral sensation. The image and its accompanying discussion serve as a reminder of the sometimes whimsical, sometimes profound nature of fortune cookies—and the joy they bring, regardless of the message.

For anyone curious about fortune cookies, their history, or just in need of a good laugh, this Reddit post and its comments offer a delightful read. Whether it's a case of lost in translation or just a funny coincidence, "Your finances will be a key to your financial future" has certainly made its mark on the internet.

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View source: Reddit

Top Comments from Reddit

CoralinesButtonEye

your future is in the time ahead of you that you have not lived through yet

mrfoxman

Water is wet.

rip1980

I think you may have received a Misfortune Cookie.

Gallium-Spritz

Many things must happen before others may occur.

Koloberator

Wow, I just got a chill down my spine. How can these fortunes be so eerily accurate?

cybeaux

Asked my Chinese spouse about this fortune, she said the phrase is legitimate but lost in translation.

BurnisP

Lots of money will make you wealthy.

Ethereal_Bulwark

it feels like ever since 2000, that fortune cookie messages have stopped becoming fortunes, and started to become statements. Like to the point it may as well say "you are reading this."

PapaOoMaoMao

Rich people's parents money is the key to theirs.

TheGoodDoctorGonzo

Water will be a key to your future wetness.

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