Dating BuzzWords You Should Know

October 8, 2024
ALEXANDER

Dating BuzzWords You Should Know

Let's face it, technology has affected the entire dating culture. Tech has made us a little less accountable for our interactions and has decreased the emotional aspect of dating talk on apps - whether it be on Match.com or Grindr. Where we would hardly ever treat guys the way we do in real life, face to face, we have no problem ghosting, catfishing, or saying something rude on our phones. The benefit of the digital culture entering the dating world is that we can recognize major red flags from just the way someone conducts their text convos. But, yes the entire dating world has changed and we should be savvy to all of the new terms and situations. Intuitive and personal coach Mason Farmani has put together a list of common tactics/phrases that are currently in play when seeking romance or any other level of connection.

Ghosting

This dating term has become popular and we probably don't need to deep dive into this one. You literally just stop communication with someone without an explanation. This happens all the time in Grindr, sometimes sadly when you send more pics, lol. Many gays put on their profile, "No response is a response." Hey, we get it. I guess we prefer that to someone sending a rude comment as to why we aren't a good fit. Ghosting does suck, though, if you've had a good chunk of convos or even a couple of dates.

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Breadcrumbing:

Does it take forever for your intended love to respond back, and then only with a couple of words? Or you tentatively make plans, then you don't hear anything, then they response with a "Sup?" That's breadcrumbing. When someone leads you along with just enough messaging to keep you responsive, but they really don't have any commitment to actual dating. Are you a backup? Booty call? They'll throw you a few crumbs here and there.

Benching:

This dating term means you've been placed in the backup group, you get no priority, and are not the first choice. Did you get a last-minute invite? A last-minute Netflix and chill invite? When their main pieces of meat cancel, you get the call. Literally waiting on the bench.

Orbiting:

This is so annoying. They won't respond to your texts but will like and comment on your social media. Duh. They obviously are paying attention to you, but not enough in real life to make it count.

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Cuffing Season:

No, this doesn't have to do with a sex dungeon. In dating, this happens during the colder months/fall and winter. Because of the holidays and temperature, people are looking to hunker down for a relationship more than any other time of the year. Watch out when it gets to be speedo season, you may be broken up with!

Freckling:

Freckling is the opposite of cuffing season. When someone gets the dating itch from the hot heat or loves a companion for Pride season, or needs a travel partner for summer trips, they are freckling.

Zombie Ing:

This one makes us LOL. This is when someone ghosts you but then suddenly pokes their head back around without any explanation. Girl, no matter how good the D is, let them go. You are worth more.

Cushioning:

This is almost like benching, but it is more romantic in nature. When someone is cushioning, they are keeping romantic interests in the sidelines in case their main doesn't work out, and getting a rebound love is easier to pick from their current arsenal.

Slow Fade

This is basically ghosting but it's gradual. In dating, you'll stop getting those good morning messages, their responses to you will get slower, and times getting together during the week will get less and less until, poof! They are gone. Is that more painful than just ghosting?

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Stashing:

Wonder why every date you have with them is at their house and you always order dinner in? Do you not know any of the people in the pictures he has around the house? He is stashing you, he doesn't want to include you in his family or friends circle. This can also be referred to as pocketing.

Cloaking:

In dating, cloaking is basically ghosting, just more intense. Not only do they stop communicating with you, but they block you and make it impossible for you to contact them. Ouch!

Kittenfishing:

This is catfishing on a lower level. The pics are yours but you've filtered them, edited them, Photoshopped them, to make you look better. Girl, they are gonna see the real you!

Ghostbusting:

Ever confronted your ghost and asked them why they stopped communicating? You got some balls, and you are ghostbusting! Call them on their action!