The Wild Goose Chase That Backfired: Outwitting the Legendary 'Plint Ladder' Prank
If you’ve ever started a new job in a warehouse, restaurant, or any blue-collar environment, chances are you’ve been the butt of an old-school prank. Maybe you were sent looking for “tartan paint,” a “sky hook,” or—if you’re really unlucky—a “plint ladder.” For one Redditor, u/AmsterdamAssassin, the tables turned in a truly legendary display of malicious compliance. The result? An afternoon off, a manager fuming, and a Playmobil ladder for the ages.
But this story is more than just a victorious temp’s tale—it’s a peek into workplace culture, the timeless tradition of pranking newbies, and the creative ways people turn the joke around. Grab a cup of coffee (no need to fetch a “bucket of steam”—we promise), and let’s dive into the delightful world of impossible errands and the people who outsmart them.
The Anatomy of the “Fool’s Errand”
The “plint ladder” quest isn’t an isolated incident—it’s a rite of passage for many first-day workers. The prank works like this: A senior staffer, often with a straight face, sends an unsuspecting newbie off to fetch something that doesn’t exist. In kitchens, it’s the mythical “holeless colander”; in print shops, a “paper stretcher”; and in warehouses, the elusive “plint ladder” (which, as u/AmsterdamAssassin wittily explains, is a ladder for climbing baseboards—skirting boards too small to warrant any real ladder).
But why do these pranks persist? As several Reddit commenters point out, it’s all part of the hazing ritual—a not-so-subtle way for the old guard to initiate newcomers, bond through shared laughter, or, sometimes, just stave off boredom. “In high school, I worked for a small print shop,” recalls u/NDDAG. “I was told to drive to another shop for a ‘paper stretcher’—they kept sending me on to the next one. Turns out, the only thing I really stretched was my patience (and maybe my gas budget).”
Others see a silver lining: as u/ferky234 joked in response, maybe this was just a sneaky way to familiarize new hires with the area’s businesses. “Boss, you could have just told me to drive to each print shop in the area to make sure I knew how to get there,” they quipped—a point that’s hard to argue with, even if your feet are tired from chasing wild geese.
Outsmarting the Old Guard: When Malicious Compliance Strikes Back
While many newbies fall for the prank and end up sheepishly returning empty-handed (or with an improvised “solution”), some, like our hero u/AmsterdamAssassin, spot the joke from the start—and play along with a twist. Instead of running around aimlessly, they took an extended coffee (and weed) break before returning hours later with a Playmobil toy ladder to present to the manager. “I could see the fury in his eyes,” OP wrote, “but since I had merely followed his orders, he couldn’t dock my pay.”
This kind of “malicious compliance”—doing exactly what you’re told, but in a way that exposes the foolishness of the request—wins applause from the community. One commenter, u/HelloMoto070, shared how they turned a similar restaurant prank into an impromptu bar crawl, returning “half hammered around kitchen closing time.” The unspoken message: If you’re going to send someone on a fool’s errand, don’t be surprised if they return the favor with a little creative compliance.
And the community agrees—there’s a special satisfaction when the prankster gets out-pranked. As u/Contrantier put it: “There’s nothing so satisfying as seeing those specific tables turn.”
The Hall of Fame: Legendary Fool’s Errands from Across the Trades
Reading through the comments, it’s clear these pranks are as universal as they are inventive. From aviation’s “prop wash” (which, as u/dmills_00 pointed out, is actually a real compound—surprise!) to the classic “bucket of steam,” there’s no shortage of wild requests. Some favorites include:
- The “board stretcher” (for when you cut lumber too short)
- A “long wait/weight” (which, as u/Ich_mag_Kartoffeln and u/Devrol learned, often just means a long tea break)
- “Tartan paint” or “plaid paint” (which, according to u/photonicsguy, actually exists, at least in name)
- “Elbow grease,” “blinker fluid,” and “left-handed screwdrivers”—items so infamous they’ve spawned joke products and even, in some cases, real ones (u/Rashkamere notes that you can actually buy a CD rewinder, though it does nothing)
As u/aquainst1 observed, the real joy is in reading the stories, laughing at the creativity, and wondering which ones you’d fall for. “THIS is why I subscribe to these subReddits and read all the comments!”
And sometimes, the joke’s on the prankster. As u/KillerCritter1312 recounted, one resourceful bar back actually rigged a coffee pot to drain hot water all night, resulting in a humid, waterlogged restaurant and a ban on pranks thereafter. In the end, sometimes the best revenge is sincere, well-intentioned chaos.
Is the Era of Impossible Quests Over?
With everyone carrying a cell phone, it’s harder nowadays to disappear on a wild goose chase—managers can call or text to check in. But as u/AmsterdamAssassin [OP] joked, you can always answer with, “I’m following a new lead, I will report back when I know more,” and hang up. The spirit of the prank lives on, evolving with the times but never quite fading away.
And let’s face it: As long as there are new hires, there will be “plint ladders,” “sky hooks,” and “fallopian tubes” to chase. The best defense? A quick wit, a sense of humor, and maybe a toy ladder in your back pocket—just in case.
Conclusion: Share Your Legendary Fool’s Errand
Have you ever been sent on a quest for a left-handed spatula, a bucket of dial tone, or a box of grid squares? Did you play along, turn the tables, or see right through the joke? Share your best “fool’s errand” stories in the comments and let’s keep the laughter—and the tradition—alive.
Who knows? Maybe next time someone asks you for a “plint ladder,” you’ll be the one getting the last laugh.
Original Reddit Post: Sent on a quest for the impossible plint ladder