A - C

AF (As Fck)*

Used for emphasis, meaning “to the highest degree.”

🗣️ “Prioritizing values is sexy AF.”

AHor-Dating (Affordable Dating)

Refers to budget-friendly date ideas like coffee meetups, walks, or casual dinners.

🗣️ “AHor-dating is the only way I can afford to ask this girl out.”

Ally

Someone who actively supports marginalized or discriminated groups.

🗣️ “He’s an ally—I trust him.”

Astrology Babe

A person (often a woman) who strongly believes in zodiac signs.

🗣️ “She’s such an astrology babe, the first thing she asked me was my star sign.”

Bail

To cancel plans, often at the last minute.

🗣️ “I can’t believe they bailed on me again.”

Beige Flags

Subtle signs of incompatibility, often indicating someone is a little too basic or boring.

🗣️ “Her bio said ‘Live, Laugh, Love’—instant beige flag.”

Benching

Keeping someone as a backup option through irregular but ongoing communication, without actually meeting up.

🗣️ “He either works 24/7 or he’s benched me.”

Breadcrumbing

Sending mixed signals—like liking social media posts or sending occasional texts—without real intent to pursue anything.

🗣️ “I wish he’d stop breadcrumbing me and just ask me out.”

Catfishing

Creating a fake online identity to deceive someone into an emotional or romantic relationship.

🗣️ “He’s a catfish, and I totally fell for it.”

Cringe

A secondhand embarrassment from someone’s awkward or embarrassing behavior.

🗣️ “He licked my cheek in the restaurant—so cringe!”

Crush

Someone you’re romantically interested in.

🗣️ “I have a new crush.”

Cuing Season (Cuffing Season)

The colder months when people couple up, sometimes lowering their usual standards.

🗣️ “Not for long—it’s cuing season!”

Cushioning

Keeping multiple romantic options as “backup” in case a primary relationship doesn’t work out.

🗣️ “He still answers her calls? That’s straight-up cushioning.”

D - F

Daterview

A date that feels more like an interview, with forced conversation and back-to-back questions.

🗣️ “That date was an absolute daterview—never again.”

Dealbreaker

A trait or behavior that is non-negotiable and leads to a breakup.

🗣️ “Smoking is a total dealbreaker for me.”

Dip / Dipping / Dipped

Slang for leaving.

🗣️ “I was only at the party for an hour before I dipped.”

Dogfishing

Posing with a dog (that isn’t yours) on a dating profile to attract pet lovers.

🗣️ “She totally dogfished me—it’s her cousin’s dog in every photo!”

Dry Texter

Someone who sends dull, unengaging texts with minimal effort.

🗣️ “I can’t stand dry texters.”

Eco-Dumping

Breaking up with someone due to their lack of environmental awareness or commitment.

🗣️ “I eco-dumped him after he said climate change was fake.”

ENM (Ethical Non-Monogamy)

A relationship structure where partners consensually engage with others outside of a traditional monogamous relationship.

🗣️ “We practice ethical non-monogamy.”

Fielding Season (Opposite of Cuing Season)

The warm months when people focus on dating multiple people instead of settling down.

🗣️ “Can’t wait for fielding season—I feel so restricted right now.”

Fizzling

Letting a relationship fade out gradually by reducing communication rather than ending it outright.

🗣️ “I’d rather someone fizzle me than ghost me—it feels less harsh.”

Flex / Flexer

Someone who brags about their possessions or achievements.

🗣️ “She flexed her new handbag the whole night.”

FWB (Friends with Benefits)

A friendship that includes casual sex but no romantic commitment.

🗣️ “No, we’re not dating—we’re just FWB.”

Friendtroduction

Introducing a new romantic partner to your friends.

🗣️ “Are you down for a friendtroduction this weekend?”

Frugal Flirting

Dating within your financial means—similar to affordable dating.

🗣️ “Frugal flirting my way to this walking date.”

G - L

Gaslighting

Manipulating someone into questioning their own perception of reality.

🗣️ “He gaslit her so much she started doubting herself.”

Ghosting

Suddenly cutting off all communication without explanation.

🗣️ “She just ghosted me after our third date.”

Ghostlighting

A combination of ghosting and gaslighting—when a ghoster returns and denies ever having ignored someone.

🗣️ “He ghostlit me at the pub after disappearing for weeks!”

Grasscutting

When a friend pursues your crush or love interest.

🗣️ “That’s the second time he’s grasscut me this year!”

Green Dating

Choosing partners based on shared environmental values.

🗣️ “I think I’ve been green dating my whole life.”

Green Flag

A sign that someone is a great match.

🗣️ “He adores dogs—total green flag!”

Hard Launch

Posting an official couple photo to announce a relationship.

🗣️ “Trying to pick the best time to hard launch my new relationship.”

Haunting

When an ex continues to interact with your social media posts without direct contact.

🗣️ “He’s still haunting my Insta!”

Hook Up

A vague term for any type of casual physical interaction.

🗣️ “I saw them hooking up at the party.”

Hubby / Wifey Material

Someone who has the qualities of a long-term partner.

🗣️ “He’s such a great cook—definitely hubby material!”

Ick

A sudden turn-off that makes you lose attraction.

🗣️ “The way he slurps his soup gave me the ick.”

Keen

An Australianism meaning you’re interested in someone romantically or sexually.

🗣️ “Are you still keen on that guy from Splendour?”

Kittenfishing

A milder version of catfishing—altering your appearance or personality online to seem more attractive.

🗣️ “She totally kittenfished me with those old profile photos!”