The cake is a lie mug

Implies that a promised reward for one's work is false, with the one proffering the reward never intending to give it in the first place, possibly because the reward never even existed (see also: "there is no spoon"). This phrase can be used to express grief or frustration regarding any situation where there is an imbalance between effort and reward. This phrase was popularized by the game "Portal" by Valve Software Corporation. During the game, GlaDOS, an artificially intelligent operating system and the game's passive-aggressive guide, uses the reward of cake as a motivating factor in an attempt to manipulate the player. It is first mentioned during the "impossible puzzle room", where she urges the player to "quit now and cake will be served immediately". In a later stage, the player can access a "hidden" area of the testing chamber to find a previous test participant had scrawled "The cake is a lie!" among other warning messages. Cake continues to remain the promised reward for completing the test and/or obeying GlaDOS, particularly in the final stages of the game. Finally, in the ending song, GlaDOS cheerfully sings about how "there's no sense crying over every mistake, you just keep on trying 'till you run out of cake." In the game, cake serves as a carefully calculated motivational device, but there are suggestions that it also serves as an essence of humanity--the ability to eat cake, taste it, and experience emotional pleasure from it--which a computer cannot experience even with artificial intelligence. In this less commonly-used sense, the phrase "the cake is a lie" can also imply that one's emotions or the basis of one's emotions are false, with cake representing emotion, emotional basis, or emotional capability.

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The Urban Dictionary Mug

  • Glossy ceramic, 11 oz
  • Vivid artwork fused into the finish, not a vinyl decal
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe
  • Word on front, definition on back
  • Approximately 3.8" tall
  • Every order personally reviewed
  • Returns & defect-free guarantee

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Customer Reviews

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A mug for your boyfriend Paul????? My boyfriend is not called Paul. I don't even have a boyfriend

Yolanda Linares Sep 19

Great mug... finally got my ""your mom gay lol" mug, I'm so happy

Jackoof Sep 18

ariana grande mug omg this slays mah life

ariana grande is a queen Sep 18

It was easy to correct grammar when necessary, and then to order a great gift for a member of a wedding party. Nice, simple, and sturdy mug.

Etan N. Sep 18
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with this we regain gods trust This mug changes my views of humanity. I think we may have a chance of not going extinct. Everyone should own this fantastic mug. Oh it's also has a nice handle.

Yeet Skeet Sep 17

Love that I got an Urban Dictionary word definition from someone I know! So much fun and great memory item!! 😊

Jamie W. Sep 15
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I like it but it took a long time getting here

Bruce M. Sep 15
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Very basic mug but does the trick!

Daniel B. Sep 14
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The mug is of good quality but advertisement needs to change as the sample photo for ordering gives the customer an illusion that the entire mug is of that color ordered when it is not

Melissa L. Sep 13
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muffinism mug very bold mug i love it u should buy one

numpty muffin Sep 12

Oof oof this mug gives me life every single day. i have no other reason to wake up in the morning. also this website is the only thing that's ever loved me.

buyin'dumbmugs Sep 10
Review by Jada D.

The fact you guys make custom mugs is the most hilarious yet smartest thing ever, thank you so much I'm definitely gonna collect these and chuckle at the crazy words/terms only I will understand the depth of! 😂

Jada D. Sep 10
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Nice, but I need the “Reservation Dogs” version of “Aho!”

Richard B. Sep 10
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The mug is a gift for our Fantasy Football league winner…or loser. I'm not sure yet; it's a bit of a spoof that will be disclosed on Thanksgiving.

Kimberly S. Sep 10
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Review by Stephanie K.

Love it just like your ranking to be noticed at 4 to stabilize with bots at 5 but looks real

Stephanie K. Sep 9
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Perfect Mug My CPacket mug arrived perfectly with the definition of that skid

LmN Sep 8

My real first name is Ancil and I must say this is by far the greatest thing I have ever seen in my life and I love you all.

Ancil B. Sep 8

YOIT Ligma balls bitch. YOOOOOOOIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTT

Ligma balls bitch Sep 6

What is there to say? It's a mug, with a word in front and the definition in back. Nicely done!

Christina A. Sep 5
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Review by Adrienne D.

This will be the perfect gift this winter! It even came in a nice little box. The mug seems to be of good quality. It was a bit pricy, got to be honest, but it’ll be very well received.

Adrienne D. Sep 5
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