Like it or not, we’re the generation of Love Island, Tinder, DMs and the everchanging trends that accompany them. Dating’s never been more complicated, not least because of the lexicon. So I’ve decided to lend a helping hand in breaking down the parlance of the millennial dating scene for those who are struggling to separate their zombies from their peacocks. Here are some quickfire definitions to start you on the right track…
Ghosting : I think we all know this one but I thought I’d start with an easy one just to get us going. When all contact ceases suddenly and without explanation. Out of this selection of millennial dating tendencies, this is one of the most brutal and definitely one of the most common.
Soft-Fading: A form of ghosting but slightly kinder. When you lengthen the amount of time between each response, until one day you just leave them on read forever. It’s common for those who think they’re being soft-faded to jump the gun and be the first to ghost, so that the prospective pie-ee becomes the pie-er.
Getting Pied: Getting dumped. Plain and simple.
DTR: Define the relationship. Have that talk about what exactly is going on and how you’re going to label whatever this is.
Zombieing: When a ghoster returns from the dead and recommences contact.
Haunting: When a ghoster continues to watch all of your Snapchat and Instagram stories, possibly even having the gall to like a few of your timeline posts. Absolute cheek.
FBO: Facebook Official. Serious sh*t.
Deeplinking: Dropping an almighty hint that you like someone by scrolling back deep into their social media history and liking a post from years gone by, hoping that they’ll get the message without you having to actually slide into their DMs.
Sliding into DMs: Privately messaging someone on social media out of the blue.
Cuffing: Singletons pairing up for the winter months. In lieu of another blanket or jumper to keep you warm, why not cuff up with a boyf? How festive.
Uncuffing: The winter months are behind you and you’re ready for #HotGirlSummer which does not include a boyf. Uncuff him and go live your best single life in the sunshine.
Monkeying: Swinging from relationship to relationship, like monkeys through the trees, without a second to pause or reflect.
Layby: When you date someone who’s nothing special but will do for now, whilst simultaneously flirting with hotter options in the fast lane in the hope you might be able to hop on one of them instead.
Peacocking: When you dress because you want to catch eyes. You can be #DoingItForTheGram or turning it up IRL. Either way, you’re out to grab attention.
E-Fit: When your socials become in themselves a dating profile. Serious consideration has gone into curating the perfect grid, with only posts of your best angles and a bio that demonstrates you’re a snack worthy of a date.
Breadcrumbing: Sending messages with enough of a flirtacious spice to keep your potential bae interested without giving too much committal, akin to leaving a small woodland creature a line of breadcrumbs to follow.
We millennials love giving speicific new names to old concepts which have existed since time immemorial, so it can be mindboggling to try to keep up with the latest terminology. I do however hope that these definitions have equipped you well enough to embark on any dating convo the group chat throws at you. If I’ve missed out any terms, please do let me know in the comments below!
