Ah, the yearbook – that sacred tome of teenage awkwardness where photos of your bad hair day will live on until the sun explodes. Whether you’re signing for your best buddy or that kid who sat behind you in math whose name you’re still not 100% sure about, the pressure is on to be funny, touching, and not totally lame all at once.
Let’s be honest – most yearbook messages end up being variations of “HAGS” (Have A Great Summer) or “U R 2 Cool” with about fifty exclamation points. But you, my friend, are destined for yearbook signing greatness. You’re the one whose messages people will actually read at their 20-year reunion instead of just flipping to see if their crush wrote anything.
Stuck? Don’t panic! I’ve got you covered with 30 hilarious yearbook messages that hit the sweet spot between funny and “won’t get you called to the principal’s office.”
Funny Things to Write in a Yearbook
Skip the boring “stay cool” messages and make your mark with these laugh-out-loud yearbook one-liners. These gems will have your classmates giggling now and years later when they dust off their yearbooks.
1. Success Prediction with a Twist
“Future prediction: You’ll be so successful that one day I’ll pretend we were much closer friends than we actually were. Can’t wait to name-drop you at parties!”
This works best for that super smart kid who’s definitely going places. It acknowledges their potential while being self-deprecating on your part, creating a funny but flattering message they’ll appreciate.
2. The Witness Protection Program
“If I end up in witness protection, I’ll miss you most. Please burn this yearbook if the FBI comes asking questions about that thing we definitely did not do.”
Perfect for your partner-in-crime friend who shares your sense of humor. Adding an air of mystery makes an otherwise simple message memorable and hints at inside jokes without actually revealing anything embarrassing.
3. The Social Media Stalker
“I’ll follow your life from a safe distance on social media, occasionally liking posts from 3 years ago at 2 AM. You know, like normal friends do.”
Use this for friends who are super active online. The joke plays on how social media has made stalking-like behavior strangely normal while promising to stay connected in the most awkwardly honest way possible.
4. The History Book Entry
“When they write history books about our generation, I hope they leave out that time you tried to eat six hot dogs in one minute. Actually, no—that should definitely go in chapter one.”
This message works great for the friend who’s done something legendarily silly. By framing their embarrassing moment as historically significant, you turn a potential cringe memory into something worth celebrating.
5. The Presidential Endorsement
“You’ve got my vote in 2040! Unless you run against me, in which case I’ll leak all those screenshots I’ve been saving. Just kidding! (Not really.)”
Save this one for the class president or politically active friend. It’s simultaneously complimentary and playfully threatening, striking that perfect balance of supportive yet competitive friendship dynamics.
6. The Math Class Survival Pact
“We survived calculus together. If we can handle derivatives, we can handle anything life throws at us—except maybe more calculus.”
This gem is tailor-made for your math class buddy. The shared trauma of difficult coursework creates an instant bond, and acknowledging your mutual struggle (and possible future avoidance of math) adds relatable humor.
7. The Borrowed Pencil Confession
“Thanks for the 37 pencils you ‘lent’ me over the years. I still have all of them in a shoebox labeled ‘evidence.’ I’m not a thief, I’m a collector.”
For that generous friend who always had supplies. The specific number makes it funnier, suggesting you’ve actually been counting, while the reframing of theft as “collecting” adds that perfect touch of self-aware humor.
8. The Future Tech Support
“Looking forward to calling you in 20 years when I still can’t figure out how to work my hover-car. You were always the smart one.”
This works wonderfully for the tech-savvy friend. The futuristic reference makes it forward-looking while the compliment is genuine beneath the joke about your own technological ineptitude.
9. The Lunch Debt Acknowledgment
“I owe you approximately $147.50 for all the lunch money you spotted me. I’ll pay you back when we’re both rich and famous. Or never. Probably never.”
Perfect for that friend who always shared their food. The suspiciously specific dollar amount sells the joke, while the honest admission that repayment is unlikely adds a layer of self-aware humor that friends will appreciate.
10. The Class Nap Partners
“To my favorite class nap buddy—your snoring got me through some truly boring lectures. Here’s to sleeping through adult meetings in our future!”
This is ideal for desk neighbors. Celebrating something typically embarrassing (like snoring) as a positive trait flips the script, while the nod to continuing this behavior in adult life adds a layer of conspiratorial humor.
11. The Locker Neighbor Treaty
“As your locker neighbor for 3 years, I’ve seen things no human should see. Your secret collection is safe with me—for the right price.”
Use this for anyone whose locker was near yours. The vague reference to a “collection” works because everyone has something they’d rather keep private. The playful blackmail angle adds just the right amount of friendly threat.
12. The Gym Class Hero Tribute
“You made gym class bearable by being worse at dodgeball than me. For that, I am eternally grateful.”
This line works best for fellow gym class strugglers. The backhanded compliment acknowledges your shared athletic limitations while creating a bond over mutual mediocrity—something almost everyone can relate to in some area of school life.
13. The Cafeteria Food Survivor
“We survived four years of mystery meat together. Our stomachs deserve medals of honor. Let’s celebrate by never eating anything gray again.”
Perfect for lunchtime buddies. The shared experience of questionable cafeteria food creates an instant connection, while the pact to avoid gray food in the future offers a silly but satisfying resolution to your shared trauma.
14. The Detention Hall Fame
“To the person who made detention feel like a party. The school may not miss us, but we’ll miss seeing Mrs. Johnson’s face when we showed up for the fifth time in a week!”
Save this for your partner in classroom disruption. It celebrates minor rebellion without endorsing anything too serious, and the mention of a teacher’s reaction personalizes it while keeping the focus on your friendship.
15. The Group Project Honesty
“Thanks for carrying our group project while I contributed nothing but snacks and moral support. You’re the reason I’m graduating. I promise to name my first child after you.”
This one’s for the smart friend who did all the work. The honest acknowledgment of your lack of contribution paired with an over-the-top promise creates a funny contrast that admits your appreciation while keeping things light.
16. The Hallway High-Five Legacy
“Your hallway high-fives were the highlight of my day. May your palm forever be ready to slap and your aim never fail.”
For that friend you always greeted enthusiastically. The elevation of something as simple as a high-five to legendary status shows how small interactions can become meaningful rituals, while the dramatic blessing adds theatrical humor.
17. The Library Fine Conspiracy
“I still have your copy of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ from sophomore year. Let’s agree to blame the school librarian if anyone asks.”
This message is perfect for bookish friends. Confessing to a minor “crime” creates intimacy through shared secrecy, while the suggestion to blame an authority figure adds a touch of rebellious humor without being mean-spirited.
18. The Laboratory Safety Violation
“Science class wouldn’t have been the same without you nearly setting my hair on fire. Here’s to controlled explosions and uncontrolled laughter!”
Use this for lab partners. It transforms what could have been a scary moment into a fond memory, celebrating both your scientific curiosity and the joy that came from working together—even when things went hilariously wrong.
19. The Fashion Evolution Witness
“I’ve seen your style evolve from questionable to slightly less questionable. Progress! Can’t wait to see what you’re wearing at the reunion.”
This works for fashion-conscious friends. The gentle teasing acknowledges growth while suggesting there’s still room for improvement, and the anticipation of future fashion choices extends your friendship beyond graduation.
20. The Bathroom Mirror Confidant
“To my bathroom mirror talk show co-host—thanks for listening to all my gossip while fixing your hair. The girls’ room won’t be the same without you.”
Perfect for your bathroom break buddy. It elevates mundane school routines to special status and acknowledges how everyday spaces become venues for friendship, with the talk show host reference adding a glamorous spin to your bathroom chats.
21. The Homework Copy Confession
“Thanks for ‘helping’ me with homework (letting me copy). Don’t worry—when you’re famous, I’ll deny all knowledge of your academic dishonesty.”
This works for the friend who helped you pass. The quotation marks around “helping” create a knowing wink, while the promise to protect their reputation adds a layer of loyalty to what could otherwise be just an admission of cheating.
22. The Field Trip Buddy System
“To my field trip buddy—thanks for making sure I didn’t get lost at the museum/zoo/factory tour. Next time we’re in Washington DC, let’s actually listen to the tour guide!”
Use this for your go-to excursion partner. It celebrates the fun of exploring together while gently acknowledging that you might have missed the educational purpose of those trips, creating a shared joke about your priorities.
23. The Substitute Teacher Ally
“We’ll always have that time we convinced Mr. Johnson we were supposed to have class outside. Partners in crime forever!”
This message is perfect for fellow classroom tricksters. It references a specific shared memory of harmless mischief, creating a bond through that exclusive “you had to be there” moment while promising continued friendship.
24. The Spelling Bee Champion Roast
“Your spelling bee victory in 4th grade went to your head. I’m still waiting for you to use ‘antidisestablishmentarianism’ in a normal conversation.”
For academically accomplished friends. This playfully brings up an old achievement while gently mocking their pride in it, creating a perfect mix of recognition and ribbing that good friends appreciate.
25. The School Dance Confession
“Your dance moves at prom were both terrifying and inspiring. I’ve been practicing them alone in my room. The world isn’t ready for what we can do together.”
This works for friends who aren’t afraid to hit the dance floor. The contradictory description of their dancing as both “terrifying and inspiring” creates humor, while your admission of secret practice and the grandiose final statement add layers of comedy.
26. The Fire Drill MVP
“No one lines up for a fire drill like you do. That leadership will take you far in life, especially if there’s an actual fire.”
Perfect for the rule-following friend. It finds humor in compliance, turning something ordinary into a mock-heroic quality while still containing a genuine compliment about leadership that lands with sincerity.
27. The Lost and Found Regular
“If high school had a ‘Most Items Lost and Eventually Found’ award, you’d win hands down. I’ll miss helping you hunt for your backpack/phone/brain on a daily basis.”
Use this for the disorganized friend. The invented award category makes the teasing feel more like an honor, while the list of increasingly ridiculous lost items adds escalating humor to what might otherwise be a frustrating trait.
28. The Dramatic Reaction Champion
“Your reaction to getting a B- on that history test will go down in school legend. Never lose that passion. Hollywood awaits!”
This message works for emotionally expressive friends. It recalls a specific overreaction with fondness rather than judgment, reframing their dramatics as passion and suggesting it could be channeled into something positive.
29. The Optimistic Grade Predictor
“You always said ‘D stands for Diploma.’ Your positive spin on mediocrity has been truly inspirational. May your life be as easy as you made our classes look.”
Perfect for the academically unmotivated but philosophically brilliant friend. It celebrates their unique outlook and ability to find silver linings, turning what could be seen as underachievement into a kind of wisdom.
30. The Time Capsule Promise
“When we dig up our time capsule in 20 years, I expect you to still know all the lyrics to that song you wouldn’t stop singing. Some things should never change.”
This works wonderfully as a closing message for close friends. It references a specific annoying habit with affection, while the mention of a time capsule creates a sense of continuity and anticipation for your friendship’s future.
Wrapping Up
Signing yearbooks doesn’t have to be a brain-freezing moment of panic where you scribble “Stay cool!” for the fiftieth time. With these funny messages, you’ll stand out from the crowd of generic signers and maybe even earn yourself a place in yearbook signing hall of fame.
The best yearbook messages mix humor with a touch of genuine connection. They say “I noticed you” in a way that feels good, not creepy. So take these ideas, adapt them to fit your friends, and sign away with confidence.
Your yearbook messages might just be the ones they actually read again someday – ideally when they need a good laugh during a boring work meeting twenty years from now.