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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Safety Not Guaranteed” is an epic card of the Memes World series 75, number 22440 of the collection, and the 24th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Safety Not Guaranteed” meme mean?
The meme contrasts the serious tone of the text ('This is not a joke') with the absurdity of the request (time travel, mullet required). It evokes geeky melancholy or desperate longing. The comedy arises from treating a fantastic subject with deadpan seriousness, creating a mysterious and funny atmosphere.
Where does the “Safety Not Guaranteed” meme come from?
The ad was published by John Silveira, editor of Backwoods Home Magazine, in the September-October 1997 issue. It was filler text for an unsold page, not a genuine search. The text asked for someone to go back in time, stating it was no joke and that safety was not guaranteed. Its first known online exposure was on March 31, 2001, during the NPR radio show Car Talk. The phenomenon gained traction on YTMND in the mid-2000s. Users paired it with the song 'Push It to the Limit' and sometimes dramatic voiceovers like Don LaFontaine. This internet virality later inspired the 2012 film directed by Colin Trevorrow.
- September-October 1997Publication of the fake ad by John Silveira in Backwoods Home Magazine.
- March 31, 2001Broadcast of the ad on the NPR radio show Car Talk.
How to use the “Safety Not Guaranteed” meme
- Share the original ad on social media to illustrate a situation where one desperately needs help for an impossible task.
- Use the image with the cult music to create a nostalgic or humorous vibe around a personal project.
- Quote 'Safety not guaranteed' to highlight the risk inherent in a bold or clumsy endeavor.
Also searched as
- Safety Not Guaranteed ad
- Time travel companion ad
- Push it to the limit meme
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- safety not guaranteed origin
- john silveira backwoods home magazine
- car talk npr safety not guaranteed
The “Safety Not Guaranteed” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 22440 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | Memes World series 75 |
| Fame | 76/100 · #24 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Safety Not Guaranteed” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Safety Not Guaranteed comes out of the Memes World series 75 as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Safety Not Guaranteed”
More cards of the Memes World series 75
Frequently asked questions
What does safety not guaranteed meme mean?
It refers to a 1997 newspaper classified ad reposted online for its absurd and dramatic nature.
Who is john silveira backwoods home magazine?
He was the editor who wrote this fictional ad as filler text for an unsold advertising page.
Is safety not guaranteed real?
The ad was fictional. It aimed to fill an unsold page in a magazine without any real intent to find a companion.
Safety not guaranteed movie origin?
The 2012 film is directly inspired by this journalistic anecdote and the associated internet meme virality.
How do I get the Safety Not Guaranteed meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Safety Not Guaranteed” is an epic card of the Memes World series 75. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Safety Not Guaranteed card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Safety Not Guaranteed | Know Your Meme · 'Safety Not Guaranteed' Meme Backstory · Safety Not Guaranteed Meme: Origin of the Time-Travel Ad · checked on October 18, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.