"Don't let your printer know you're in a…

“Don’t let your printer know you’re in a hurry. They smell fear” (or “Never hint to a printer that you’re in a rush. Those bastards smell fear”) is a jocular saying that has been printed on many images. The printers always seem to break down when they’re needed the most.

“Printers are like bees, they smell fear & anxiety” was posted on Twitter by Lisa Stewart on September 15, 2008. “In addition to hearing, Printer also has keen olfactory sense. It can smell fear and desperation. Printer grows meaner” was posted on Twitter by Jennifer Liss on February 4, 2009. “I THINK THE PRINTERS CAN SMELL FEAR” was posted on Twitter by gut hunty on December 9, 2009.

“Don’t let your printers know you’re in a hurry…they smell fear and print your stuff the slowest way ever” was posted on Twitter by 1800-Lover Boy on November 14, 2013. “Don’t let your printer know you’re in a hurry. They smell fear. Paper jams are no accident” was posted on Twitter by Slightly funny Jew on November 15, 2013. The saying possibly originated on an image.

”’@FuckJerry: Never hint to a printer that you’re in a rush. Those bastards smell fear’ #truth” was posted on Twitter by Bear on February 3, 2015. (The original tweet is no longer available.)

Twitter
Lisa Stewart
@eclisastewart
Replying to @CreativeJunkie
@CreativeJunkie Printers are like bees, they smell fear & anxiety.
10:11 PM · Sep 15, 2008·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Jennifer Liss
@cursedstorm
In addition to hearing, Printer also has keen olfactory sense. It can smell fear and desperation. Printer grows meaner.
10:39 AM · Feb 4, 2009·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
gut hunty
@emblybobembly
I THINK THE PRINTERS CAN SMELL FEAR
10:38 AM · Dec 9, 2009·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Craig Ringer
@craig2ndq
Printers can smell fear, and feed off crushed lives.
3:35 AM · Mar 8, 2010·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
1800-Lover Boy
@horchatapapi
Don’t let your printers know you’re in a hurry…they smell fear and print your stuff the slowest way ever
1:09 AM · Nov 14, 2013·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Djungleskog
@adesimuffin
If you’re in a hurry to get a document printed, never show urgency.
Printers can smell fear and can be real dicks.
4:40 AM · Nov 14, 2013·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Slightly funny Jew
@Dani_Feld
Don’t let your printer know you’re in a hurry. They smell fear. Paper jams are no accident.
4:43 AM · Nov 15, 2013·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Sarah-Lena Gombert
@Frau_Gombert
Facebook-Fundstück: “Don’t let your printer know that you’re in a hurry. They smell fear.” Wie wahr, wie wahr… 😉
5:50 AM · Nov 15, 2013·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Paul Robinson
@paulrobinson68
Never let your printer know you’re in a hurry, they smell fear.
(This is also shown on an image.—ed.)
3:59 AM · Jul 12, 2014·Buffer

Twitter
Bear
@VTB3AR
Replying to @FuckJerry
“@FuckJerry: Never hint to a printer that you’re in a rush. Those bastards smell fear” #truth
12:39 PM · Feb 3, 2015·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Boldomatic
@Boldomatic
Never hint to a printer that you’re in a rush. Those bastards smell fear. #boldomatic
4:03 PM · Feb 25, 2015·Boldomatic on iOS

Twitter
rascal c.
@bubbibubbii
Never hint to a printer that you’re in a rush. Those bastards smell fear.
8:22 PM · Apr 14, 2021·Twitter for Android

Facebook
El Arroyo is at El Arroyo.
July 9, 2021 at 12:33 PM · Austin, TX ·
FAX
(The following text is shown on the restaurant’s sign.—ed.)
NEVER GIVE YOUR
PRINTER HINTS THAT
YOU’RE IN A RUSH,
THEY CAN SMELL FEAR