Thursday 13: Keep Calm and Jump The Shark

nce upon a time, there was a war on and it was thought, by some people in charge, that a few peppy, rah-rah slogans would keep the good people of England from freaking out during air raids, or God forbid, if the Germans invaded.

So the Ministry of Information (I like to say that with a proper British accent) released a couple of slogans to cheer the masses: Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution will Bring Us Victory and Freedom is in Peril (which seems less encouraging and more like stating the facts) were released by His Majesty's Stationery Office (also good to say with an accent). These slogans were plastered on public transport and shop windows, all over the place.

There was another, lesser known slogan: Keep Calm and Carry On. This slogan was meant to be used only if Germany did, in fact, invade. As that did not come about, the posters made from this saying languished, displayed only in a few offices, and never released to the public.

What? Never released to the public?, I can hear you asking, in shocked amazement. How did that happen? And how on earth has it now become plastered not only all over the place, but mutated into a one-size-fits-all slogan for every interest and hobby out there? Worried about invasion, nothing. We want a slogan for our latest obsession. Cupcakes. Or soccer. Or roller derbying. You name it, you'll find a Keep Calm and... poster to fit it.

It's pervasive, that's certain. And whether or not I'll take down my Keep Calm and Carry On poster that hangs in my crafty area any time soon (um, no, I won't), I can still call a spade a spade. This is one poster that has definitely jumped the proverbial shark.

So, in honor, homage and a little bit of horror, here are 13 variations I've curated for your Thursday enjoyment.

Which one is your favorite? Have you seen even more unusual variations? Let me know in the comments!

Hope you're having a fabulous Thursday. For more Thursday 13 participants, go here.

Oh, and here are two more for good measure... see, I can't stop myself! It's craziness!

Oh yes, could not resist that one!

History source.  Images found via Pinterest.