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Woman Freaks Out After Finding Out That Friend’s Cake Isn’t Dairy-Free As There Is Egg In It
Young girl enjoying a slice of cake, highlighting confusion about eggs being dairy in dairy-free desserts.
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Woman Freaks Out After Finding Out That Friend’s Cake Isn’t Dairy-Free As There Is Egg In It

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You think you’re safe from dinner party drama when you’re just bringing dessert? Think again. You thought you knew what dairy was? You sweet summer child. Apparently, food definitions are up for debate, and dinner tables are the new battleground.

Today’s Original Poster (OP) had a friend who asked for a dairy-free dessert for her daughter, who recently gave up dairy. So they baked a stellar cake with zero milk or butter and even got compliments. But once the friend asked about the ingredients, all hell broke loose. It turns out not everyone agrees on what “dairy” really means, and that’s where things went sideways.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    We’ve all had that moment where good intentions somehow spiral into awkward territory, especially when food and feelings mix

    Hand holding an egg over carton with eggs beside a bowl of batter, illustrating eggs are dairy confusion in baking.

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The author was visiting their friend and brought a dairy-free cake to a friend’s dinner, using a recipe that included eggs

    Text post asking if making a dairy free cake with eggs is wrong, discussing confusion about dairy ingredients.

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    Text about a dairy-free cake recipe causing confusion over eggs used, sparking a dairy debate.

    Image credits: Sea-Neighborhood6638

    Young girl in blue shirt eating cake, highlighting confusion over eggs as dairy in dairy-free desserts debate.

    Image credits: pixel-shot.com / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The friend’s daughter became upset upon hearing the cake contained eggs, believing they were a dairy product

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    Text explaining confusion over eggs in dairy-free cake and debate if eggs count as dairy or not.

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    Text discussing confusion over whether eggs are dairy, involving dairy-free cake and differing definitions of dairy products.

    Text on a white background reads a confused person saying they've never heard of eggs being dairy before.

    Image credits: Sea-Neighborhood6638

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    A disagreement followed, with the friend insisting eggs are dairy while they maintained that they are not

    The OP was invited to a dinner by a friend and, following their usual tradition, offered to bring dessert. When told the dessert should be dairy-free for the daughter, they happily complied using a tried-and-true dairy-free cake recipe that had always been a hit.

    Even at the dinner, the cake was a smash hit. Everyone enjoyed it, including the daughter, and the friend asked for the recipe. The moment the word “eggs” came up, the daughter ran upstairs, visibly upset. The friend asked why eggs were put in the cake, and the OP explained that they were added to give the cake a spongy texture.

    The friend then began to argue that the cake wasn’t dairy-free because eggs came from animals. The OP became confused at this and tried to explain that eggs aren’t dairy, but the friend doubled down on her own definition

    Two women in a kitchen having a serious discussion about dairy-free cake and eggs as dairy confusion arises.

    Image credits: macniak / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Cook Unity clarifies that dairy refers specifically to products made from the milk of mammals like cows, goats, and sheep. These milk-based products come in various forms and serve a wide range of culinary purposes. They provide examples of dairy products, which include yogurt, cheese, butter, cream, condensed and evaporated milk, and milk proteins like whey and casein.

    Eggs are not considered dairy because they come from birds, not mammals, and EatingWell highlights this. They also acknowledge that eggs are often mistaken for dairy and that this confusion often stems from the fact that eggs are typically shelved in the dairy section at grocery stores and, like dairy, they’re animal products.

    However, Cleveland Clinic provides insight as to why the friend’s daughter might have reacted so strongly after finding out that she had eaten a cake which had eggs in them. Although eggs aren’t dairy products, they state that accidentally eating something that conflicts with one’s dietary beliefs can trigger cognitive dissonance.

    They explain that this internal conflict often leads to strong emotional reactions as people try to reconcile what they did with what they believe. For many, dietary choices are tied closely to their identity, so unintentionally consuming a restricted food can feel like a personal violation, sparking distress and emotional upheaval.

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    Netizens showed strong support for the Original Poster (OP), with many clarifying that eggs are not dairy and emphasizing that the friend was simply misinformed. They pointed out that dairy comes specifically from mammalian milk, while eggs come from birds and should not be grouped together.

    The OP stated that they apologized, although it appeared that their friend was still upset about what happened. What do you think about this situation? Do you think OP was in the wrong for using eggs in a ‘dairy-free’ dessert? Or was the friend unclear in her request? We would love to know your thoughts!

    Netizens sided with the author as they insisted that the friend was simply ignorant as eggs are not dairy

    Comment explaining that eggs are not dairy and clarifying the difference between dairy-free and vegan in a discussion.

    Screenshot of an online comment saying Your friend is an idiot in a discussion about eggs being dairy in dairy-free cake debate.

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    Comment explaining that eggs are animal products but not dairy products, clarifying common confusion about eggs and dairy.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment stating Eggs are not dairy, highlighting confusion about eggs and dairy-free cake ingredients.

    Comment stating eggs are not dairy and calling a friend ignorant in a discussion about dairy-free cake ingredients.

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    Slice of creamy cake on a white plate with fork, highlighting confusion about eggs being dairy in dairy-free baking.

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Text post explaining eggs are not dairy, noting confusion from grocery stores placing eggs in the dairy section.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing confusion about eggs being classified as dairy and lactose intolerance concerns.

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    Comment clarifying that eggs are not dairy because eggs come from chickens and dairy comes from cows, addressing common confusion.

    Comment explaining that eggs are not dairy, clarifying dairy products come from mammals’ milk, not eggs.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing that eggs are not dairy in a debate about a dairy-free cake.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing confusion about eggs being dairy in a dairy-free cake debate.

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing confusion over the belief that eggs are dairy products in a dairy-free cake request.

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    Poll Question

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    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    Read less »
    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Ifeoluwa Adesina

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a writer and bookworm (eyes glued to an e-book, more accurately) who happens to have a suspiciously deep knowledge about pop culture. When I'm not writing, I can most likely be found taking yet another online quiz to find out which soda matches my personality.

    What do you think ?
    Sue Ellen
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can't believe anyone would think eggs are dairy.

    Sapna Sarfare
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same emotions.. astounding how stupid works

    Load More Replies...
    TheForrestGreene (he/they/it)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    im a bit confused about how the person said that bees are insects, not animals. i thought insects were a sub-classification of animals, no?

    Janissary35680
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Insects are animals. You'd be surprised how many people think only mammals are animals.🤷

    Load More Replies...
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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People who eat dairy-free and are not vegan or vegetarian evidently have an allergy or are lactose intolerance. Those are NOT a chosen lifestyles, they are physical conditions. The daughter’s reaction to eggs being in the cake, even though no dairy products were used to make it, tells me she’s actually either vegan or vegetarian, and her mother is an idiot who thinks that’s called “dairy-free”. FFS Mom, get your terminology straight, for your daughter’s sake.

    sweet emotion
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The dee-lu-lu is strong with this friend....or her daughter.

    Tropical Tarot
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the daughter may be young. But mom just stupid.

    Load More Replies...
    TeenieMeanie
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is hilariously stupid and common. Lots of people think eggs are dairy because most grocery stores (at least in the US ) have eggs- you guessed it-in the DAIRY department.

    Spacey Stacey
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    which came first the cow or the chicken?

    Ace
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, the 'friend' is trying to dig herself out of a hole of her own making. Clearly the child is including eggs in her "I don't eat" list, the mother simply forgot to mention it to the OP, but is trying to make it their fault to avoid her daughter being mad at her.

    Mary Johnson
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not at all what happened. They believe eggs are dairy. We have the internet, why when people argue their point why don’t they google real quick and make sure they are right.

    Load More Replies...
    Fat Harry (Oi / You)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess the confusion arises because Americans put eggs in the fridge and thus near the dairy section. In Europe (and most of the rest of the world) eggs don't need to be refrigerated and so are nowhere near the dairy.

    Amy S
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A friend of mine is dairy free for medical reasons and loads of people think that includes eggs, and we're in the UK where the eggs aren't near the fridges either. It's a very common misconception for some reason.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess we can be sure it's not an allergy issue. Was she aware eggs came from birds and not bunnies?

    Papa
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only chocolate eggs come from bunnies.

    Load More Replies...
    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sadly there's often no cure for stupidity.

    Kim Kermes
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How old is this daughter? At 6 she should have the manners to say that she can't/won't eat eggs. Dairy comes from any mammal willing to be milked. Eggs are from birds, amphibians, fish, other water creatures, and insects.

    Mary Johnson
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How? He mother is an adult with access to the internet and still thinks eggs are dairy

    Load More Replies...
    Nancy Whiting
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eggs aren't dairy. BUT-- You need the Wacky Cake recipe! https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8389/wacky-cake-viii/ No dairy, no eggs, DELICIOUS rich chocolate cake.

    TruthoftheHeart
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oof I'd be embarrassed to be that dumb. But she's too delusional to realize. Eggs are definitely not dairy

    Seán Hannan
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a waste: OP gets all this attention and does not share the recipe!

    Ge Po
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't have to be a vegetarian to consider eggs an animal product, as one of the commenters states. Eggs are by definition an animal product.

    Len Hill
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The US education system at work

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not often I say someone could solve this with a quick google...

    Renee
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Came across someone who when ordering food ordered shrimp then said she was ordering it because she a vegetarian because of her religion. I have heard that one religion doesn't think fish and other animals from the sea are animals. Having worked in customer service people understanding the world around them is shockingly common. Lots of people only understand the world in a surface way that hey gain from the media and the people around them. The other commenters have pointed out other examples. If you have an allergy or are vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, or something else don't assume others know what that actually means and ask all of what a in it.

    Oskar vanZandt
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Child's misconception is understandable but mother's not knowing an egg is not a dairy product is inexcusable...

    CP
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dairy and eggs are always paired up in American supermarkets. Someone that had never thought about the implications of the word dairy or was never taught the difference might conflate the two items. That being said it is annoying the person is fighting it, but you are telling a person they have been wrong their entire life. It seems that humans more and more can't admit mistakes.

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "dairy is from a cow" dude manages to somehow be even more wrong in an entire sea of wrongness.

    Ray Bolen
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You mean those aren't cow pies, they're cow eggs?

    Royal Stray
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This idiot is too used to it saying "vegan" and "dairy free" on the same items to realize that they're not the same thing.

    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In most supermarkets eggs are in the Dairy Department because they are a perishable food that needs constant refrigeration and I think that's the source of her confusion. But they're NOT a dairy product. (to non-Americans I know it seems weird but our milk packaging [except for canned] is not air-tight and so the milk products are refrigerated. It undoubtedly makes them cost much more, I'm sure)

    Joanne Mendonza-Earle
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's what I was taught though! Eggs are dairy. They are in the dairy aisle in the store. That's what my mom always said. I am today years old finding out they aren't dairy.

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stop hanging out before you catch the d*****s.

    Sue Ellen
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can't believe anyone would think eggs are dairy.

    Sapna Sarfare
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same emotions.. astounding how stupid works

    Load More Replies...
    TheForrestGreene (he/they/it)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    im a bit confused about how the person said that bees are insects, not animals. i thought insects were a sub-classification of animals, no?

    Janissary35680
    Community Member
    Premium
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Insects are animals. You'd be surprised how many people think only mammals are animals.🤷

    Load More Replies...
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Tabitha
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People who eat dairy-free and are not vegan or vegetarian evidently have an allergy or are lactose intolerance. Those are NOT a chosen lifestyles, they are physical conditions. The daughter’s reaction to eggs being in the cake, even though no dairy products were used to make it, tells me she’s actually either vegan or vegetarian, and her mother is an idiot who thinks that’s called “dairy-free”. FFS Mom, get your terminology straight, for your daughter’s sake.

    sweet emotion
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The dee-lu-lu is strong with this friend....or her daughter.

    Tropical Tarot
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the daughter may be young. But mom just stupid.

    Load More Replies...
    TeenieMeanie
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is hilariously stupid and common. Lots of people think eggs are dairy because most grocery stores (at least in the US ) have eggs- you guessed it-in the DAIRY department.

    Spacey Stacey
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    which came first the cow or the chicken?

    Ace
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, the 'friend' is trying to dig herself out of a hole of her own making. Clearly the child is including eggs in her "I don't eat" list, the mother simply forgot to mention it to the OP, but is trying to make it their fault to avoid her daughter being mad at her.

    Mary Johnson
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not at all what happened. They believe eggs are dairy. We have the internet, why when people argue their point why don’t they google real quick and make sure they are right.

    Load More Replies...
    Fat Harry (Oi / You)
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess the confusion arises because Americans put eggs in the fridge and thus near the dairy section. In Europe (and most of the rest of the world) eggs don't need to be refrigerated and so are nowhere near the dairy.

    Amy S
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A friend of mine is dairy free for medical reasons and loads of people think that includes eggs, and we're in the UK where the eggs aren't near the fridges either. It's a very common misconception for some reason.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess we can be sure it's not an allergy issue. Was she aware eggs came from birds and not bunnies?

    Papa
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only chocolate eggs come from bunnies.

    Load More Replies...
    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sadly there's often no cure for stupidity.

    Kim Kermes
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How old is this daughter? At 6 she should have the manners to say that she can't/won't eat eggs. Dairy comes from any mammal willing to be milked. Eggs are from birds, amphibians, fish, other water creatures, and insects.

    Mary Johnson
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How? He mother is an adult with access to the internet and still thinks eggs are dairy

    Load More Replies...
    Nancy Whiting
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eggs aren't dairy. BUT-- You need the Wacky Cake recipe! https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8389/wacky-cake-viii/ No dairy, no eggs, DELICIOUS rich chocolate cake.

    TruthoftheHeart
    Community Member
    6 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oof I'd be embarrassed to be that dumb. But she's too delusional to realize. Eggs are definitely not dairy

    Seán Hannan
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a waste: OP gets all this attention and does not share the recipe!

    Ge Po
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't have to be a vegetarian to consider eggs an animal product, as one of the commenters states. Eggs are by definition an animal product.

    Len Hill
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The US education system at work

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not often I say someone could solve this with a quick google...

    Renee
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Came across someone who when ordering food ordered shrimp then said she was ordering it because she a vegetarian because of her religion. I have heard that one religion doesn't think fish and other animals from the sea are animals. Having worked in customer service people understanding the world around them is shockingly common. Lots of people only understand the world in a surface way that hey gain from the media and the people around them. The other commenters have pointed out other examples. If you have an allergy or are vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, or something else don't assume others know what that actually means and ask all of what a in it.

    Oskar vanZandt
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Child's misconception is understandable but mother's not knowing an egg is not a dairy product is inexcusable...

    CP
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dairy and eggs are always paired up in American supermarkets. Someone that had never thought about the implications of the word dairy or was never taught the difference might conflate the two items. That being said it is annoying the person is fighting it, but you are telling a person they have been wrong their entire life. It seems that humans more and more can't admit mistakes.

    Robert Beveridge
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "dairy is from a cow" dude manages to somehow be even more wrong in an entire sea of wrongness.

    Ray Bolen
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You mean those aren't cow pies, they're cow eggs?

    Royal Stray
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This idiot is too used to it saying "vegan" and "dairy free" on the same items to realize that they're not the same thing.

    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In most supermarkets eggs are in the Dairy Department because they are a perishable food that needs constant refrigeration and I think that's the source of her confusion. But they're NOT a dairy product. (to non-Americans I know it seems weird but our milk packaging [except for canned] is not air-tight and so the milk products are refrigerated. It undoubtedly makes them cost much more, I'm sure)

    Joanne Mendonza-Earle
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's what I was taught though! Eggs are dairy. They are in the dairy aisle in the store. That's what my mom always said. I am today years old finding out they aren't dairy.

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stop hanging out before you catch the d*****s.

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