The modern dating world is constantly evolving based on the lifestyle choices of millennials and GenZ. Gone are the days when meeting someone for a date was a big deal. In the current scenario, you can choose or reject a person with just a swipe on your mobile device. You don't even have to meet them in person to start a romantic conversation.
The emergence of online dating platforms paired with the wide use of social media has created a different space for couples. As a result, this technologically advanced generation has either coined new practices or has given names to the already existing concepts, thus setting a trend among the youth.
If you are not aware of the modern dating terms and slangs used by the millennials, read on to enhance your knowledge of online dating vocabulary.
BAE
BAE is a millennial slang for 'Before Anyone Else.’ After some time of dating, the couple starts calling each other BAE (or sometimes boo) to signify their priorities. So, if your partner calls you bae, you are incredibly special for them.
DTR
DTR stands for ‘Define the Relationship.’ It is the chat version of "Where is our relationship heading?" In relationships, people often freak out about where they stand as a couple or if they should take things to the next level. So, while chatting with your partner, if you see DTR in the chat box, you are supposed to say “I love you” or whatever you feel about them.
Sliding into DMs
Sliding into DMs means meeting someone in public and then contacting them personally through direct messages on social media. When a guy confidently slides into the DMs of a girl on social media platform, it means he wants to initiate a romantic conversation with her. It has become quite common among millennials who are obsessed with Instagram and Twitter.
Benching
Just like some extra players are kept on the bench in sports, some people use this practice in dating. They keep you on the sidelines but neither commit to you nor let you move on. They keep you on their waiting list so they can come back to you occasionally for casual flirting or chitchat. They have no intention to take things forward with you. This is harsh but quite common among users on dating platforms.
Ghosting
Ghosting is when you have been quite actively communicating with someone on a dating platform but suddenly, they vanish, much like a ghost. They go away without leaving any trace. You will not even get a call, message, or mail from them. However, it’s not just in dating, people do this with friends and acquaintances as well. Usually, people resort to ghosting when they want the easy way out without any confrontation.
Caspering
Caspering is another form of ghosting, but this one is done in a friendly manner. In this practice, people give you a heads up before leaving. So, you will have an idea that the other person might leave and eventually they do.
Zombieing
When someone ghosts you and later comes back without any qualms, it is called zombieing. Believe it or not, some people are so shameless that they resurface out of nowhere and that too without any explanation. They will continue from where they left off without feeling the need to apologize or explaining themselves. You must never allow these people back into your life because it will only lead to more toxicity in the relationship.
White Clawing
White clawing is when you date someone you feel physically attracted to even if they are boring or dumb as a person. People often date hot men and women, preferably to make others jealous or simply because they don’t want to be single. However, it’s not advisable to focus on looks in a date. A good personality is equally important to like someone. White clawing can cause a lot of problems overall.
Paperclipping
The term paperclipping has been derived from “Clippy” the Microsoft Word icon that we used in the early 2000s. It was like a feature that we never really found useful, but it kept popping up anyway, offering its assistance.
People paperclip in dating when they pop up without any serious intent. They do not want to take things forward with you. They simply want to remind you that they exist and boost their own ego. Such people will use you as an option and will keep appearing on their own convenience without prioritizing you.
Cuffing season
Cuffing season includes the fall and winter months when people tend to feel the need of a partner. They look for someone with whom they can spend their cozy time and enjoy the warmth of their body. Although the season has already started, this year will be different owing to the socially distanced dating scene owing to the pandemic.
Catfishing
Catfishing in a measure for scamming people on the internet. Some people create fake profiles on social networks or dating platforms to impress random strangers. Later, they harm them physically or take away their money by deceitful methods. To stay away from such frauds, you are advised to use only authentic platforms and never share your personal details with a stranger.
Kittenfishing
Kittenfishing is a less harmful form of catfishing but it’s still wrong. This happens when someone exaggerates or presents their details in a manipulative manner. For example, someone may use a lot of filters on their photos or call themselves a doctor, while they are still a medical student. People do these things to increase their chances of getting a match on dating platforms.
Breadcrumbing
Breadcrumbing is yet another practice in dating when people don’t want to comit in a relationship and yet keep their options open. It’s when someone leads you on with flirtatious texts so you stay around them, but they never really make a concrete effort to take the relationship forward. As soon as you lose interest in them, they will tempt you with something very charming but eventually it won’t mean anything.
Layby
Layby is when a person is already in a relationship but isn’t happy, so they start laying the groundwork for a new relationship without getting out of the previous one. They will express interest in you and will tell you how unhappy they are in the relationship, but they will never take things forward with you. They keep coming back and just confuse you with their actions.
Flashpanning
When you start dating someone, things are pretty exciting initially but as the relationship changes over time, you have to make space for responsibilities and much more serious stuff. In flashpanning, your partner will enjoy all the exciting parts with you but will ghost as soon as the tough phase starts.
Glamboozled
When you decide to meet someone for a date and try your best to look good for them only to find out that they bailed on you, you get glamboozled. This is quite common but equally terrible on part of those who cancel dates on the last minute.
Thunberging
Derived from the name of Greta Thunberg, the renowned teen environmental activist, Thunberging is perhaps the rare dating trend which is not annoying or weird; it’s pleasant and endearing. It means that two people bond with each other over their love for the environment and chat about how much they care about climate change. Labeling yourself a ‘Thunberger’ is one of the best ways to meet a person you want to date.
Fleabagging
This term has been derived from the TV show Fleabag in which we see its lead making bad choices in relationships. Many women are guilty of making terrible choices in their dating life, repeatedly. Somehow you cannot seem to choose the right partner for yourself and get stuck in the cycle of makeup and breakup.
Love Bombing
Love bombing is when your partner shows you all the love and affection but only until you commit to the relationship. As soon as they realize that they have your back, they will start showing their true colors. It’s advisable to get out of such a toxic relationship no matter how much you love that person.