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Most men can be fathers, but it takes special effort to be called a dad. And a rad dad? Well, that's just a next-level accomplishment in the dad community.

Instagram page Rad Dad posts memes about stereotypical upper-middle-class American dads, e.g. Middle-aged dad who refreshes himself with a can of cold beer after mowing the lawn in his New Balance sneakers. The fact that they are described as rad and not cool or lit adds to the homage for today's middle-aged dads, as it is '80s slang, the decade when many of them were youngsters. Bored Panda selected the pinnacle Rad Dad TM memes from the page for you to chuckle at.

More info: Instagram | middleclassfancy

The page has merchandise: their designs of t-shirts, marble grey sweaters, and caps masterfully capture the style of rad dads and since they are illustrated with stuff like grills and embroidered New Balance sneakers, the whole apparel becomes super meta. Middle Class Fancy, the company that sells the merch, has its own meme page we recently wrote about. Middle Class Fancy and Rad Dad content sometimes overlap, as many of these dads do cookouts in their back yards, suggesting they are middle class.

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Ryan Deschanel
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It totally sounds like the plot of a bad movie that could exist.

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Older dads of today might have noticed that not only is their youth slang back in right now, but fashion too. It seems that gen Z and alpha kids have found and brought back their dads' clothes from the eighties and nineties in secondhand stores, got bowl or mullet hairstyles, and started vlogging. Or flooded the streets, creating flashbacks into their youth for these rad dads. Just try to imagine a 55-year-old today teaching their son how to keep their mullet pristine or what bomber jacket goes with which basketball shoes.

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Interestingly, the style of rad dads is not tied to a specific decade or generation so strictly. It appears that many dads just develop the same sense of casualwear style as they turn middle aged and these trends haven't changed much for over two decades now, much like middle-aged women cutting their hair short.

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a parallel universe a seal dad is wishing happy birthday to his kid too (right)

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Scagsy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That, ladies and gentlemen, is what a Legend looks like. (Yes, with a capital 'L' - he's that good).

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With anything English slang, the authoritative source of explanation is user contribution-driven Urban Dictionary. Here is the top explanation of a "Rad dad": "1. any dad who spends quality time with his kid as much as possible. 2. dads who surf, skate, snowboard or any extreme activity and teach their kids. 3. dads with long hair, mohawks or body piercings and dont give a shite what anybody else thinks."

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Requiem
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Im a people watcher and have done loss prevention and can see two people at different ends of a store and know whos together and who isnt.

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What makes dads rad for you? Do these stereotypes apply to dads in your culture? What elements of dad culture have you adopted? Is it starting to take double chin selfies with a great view of salt and pepper nose hair? Growing a beer belly over the quarantine's baby boom? Share in the comments below, let's make it a safe space for rad dads.

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Manndy Fisher
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buhahaha, the literal translation from other languages is always brilliant!

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Scagsy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When they close the bar back up they are literally causing a fence.

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iblowsheep
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah but by that age it;s more likely they have done something to deserve the torture.

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Kevin Erdős–Bacon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, don't argue about who's going home - revel in being on the same wavelength!

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Manndy Fisher
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You forgot left in random places glasses with vodka so kid would think it was a water

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California Jones
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Been there. 🙄 Then he told me I was being lazy, I just needed to focus, and eventually I was just useless. Wonder why I have a panic attack when I see equations, and failed algebra...?

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Monic Krugell
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and then phone their wives about everything that they actually needed in their bags for the day

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Jessica Rabbit
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This made me laugh really hard. My husband and I have always liked to BBQ, but once he turned 35 we got a smoker and have been into it since hahaha

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Manndy Fisher
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And now if you will be lucky to get house like this you won't be able to afford family or shoes..

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Monic Krugell
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol - I could feel the uncomforted need for someone to wake up, but the want for them to stay asleep.....

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Scagsy
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost true. You have to include cops and firemen. Maybe even a builder.

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Valisbourne Spiritforge
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With what looks like mashed potato 'frosting' and bacon 'ribbons' with garnish for color. I'd have killed for a cake like that (although maybe not at that young of an age).

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Auntriarch
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I made a cake of cheese for my mother's 80th, she prefers cheese to cake or pudding. Stilton, brie, and peppered goats. With candles, 1 candle for every 5 years. She still talks about it.

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Kaleb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll bring a freaking iPad as a gift if I can get an invite

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Alex K
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well at his age he can . i feel the heart attack creeping up at me just looking at it

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13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is almost enough overkill to put me off meat.

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cloud
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

personally id need mine cooked to oblivion but other than that its looks amazing

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Bobbie Meyers
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eeww, just threw up a little in my mouth. Beef should not be pink, let alone a CAKE!!!

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Ozymandias73
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would so love one. It's still technically my birthday month for another day.

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Thomas Sweda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are those mashed potato’s too? What a wonderful, loving mother

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Lolliegag
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My god how could someone even put this in their mouth. Ugh. My gag reflex just kicked in automatically. I legit felt like I was going to vomit. This is by far the most sickening thing that I have ever seen. Alas,before this picture, once upon a time I loved all of these ingredients.

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GenXandEarnedItAll
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Welp. If I ever get married again I'm going to wear a camouflage wedding dress and have this as my cake!

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Marsha Peters
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dad offers to help the kid finish the cake in one sitting. ...

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Annie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! Such a creative idea! I'm putting in my request for next year's bd!

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KrabbyGramps666
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dad probably paid the kid 20 bucks to say he wanted this for his birthday just so the dad could cook it 😂

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Louise Stange-Wahl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would TOTALLY throw up and complain that I wanted my ice cream and cake!

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TheDragonPSA
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OOOOOOmmmmnomnomnomnomnomnomnom....my arteries are clogging just looking at it.

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Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

chuck the mashed potatoes and replace with swiss cheese and this would be f'n amazing.

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Deanna Crichley
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gad! I hate mashed potatoes. Ruined that whole lovely steak cake.

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iblowsheep
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HOLY S**T. I do not want to know how much money that dude spent that day.

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