Keeping up with all the new dating trends, terms and sayings can be a challenge.

With many of them originating from dating apps, it’s a minefield trying to understand them all, but despite the confusion that can ensue when attempting to keep up, these trends do serve a purpose. After all, many of these terms are just things daters have experienced at one point or another.

For example, being ghosted by someone only to have them pop up on your social media afterwards or the endless slog of dating your type and it not working out.

So, while it may feel like an effort to stay in the loop, these phrases merely put a name to those frustrating experiences, and if you feel like you need help knowing your negging from your freckling, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive glossary of all the dating terms you need to know this year.

Dawn dating

Dawn dating is described as people who prefer going on early morning dates, from coffees to runs instead of evening or late afternoon dates. The term was coined by dating app Badoo, after seeing a considerable rise in morning dates among singles.

Beige flags

According to TikToker Caitlin MacPhail, who coined the phrase, beige flags are signs that someone is “probably very boring”, and doesn’t put much effort into their dating app profile. According to Jessica Alderson, relationship expert and co-founder of So Syncd, beige flags indicate that if someone hasn’t put much effort into creating their profile, it can make you question how seriously they’ll take things further down the line.

Cookie-jarring

According to Michelle Begy, founder and manager of Ignite Dating, cookie-jarring is a toxic dating trend that describes how the person you’ve been dating has no intention of settling down with you. “Instead, they string you along in order to have a back-up plan as they pursue other people. You become a cookie in their jar, which they can dip into whenever they feel like it.”

Slow fade

When the communication starts to slowly drop, this is referred to as the slow fade. “Have the calls, texts and meeting plans become less frequent? It’s a sign your relationship is coming to a slow fade and potentially entering the ghosting phase,” says Tina Wilson, dating expert and founder of matchmaking app Wingman.

Situationships

Situationships are defined as a space between a committed relationship and something more than a friendship. It’s something many millennials will have experienced at one time or another, with dating app Hinge previously reporting that a third (34%) of users have found themselves trapped in a situationship before.

Wokefishing

Ever dated someone who you think pretends to act ‘woke’? Well, they may be wokefishing you. The term refers to those who cosplay as caring about the same sociopolitical issues as you in a bid to reel you in and date you. In reality, though, it is all an act. Terrifying.

Negging

Emotional manipulation can come in many forms, and on dating apps, negging is apparent when someone insults you with a backhanded compliment to undermine your confidence.

Oystering

The antidote to cuffing season. Oystering, a term coined by Badoo, encourages people to celebrate their freedom and embrace being single post-breakup. Want a different date every night? Go for it. Looking to be wined and dined as you deserve? Make it happen.

Groundhogging

Dating app Inner Circle coined groundhogging, which refers to the idea that people are going for “the same type of person over and over again, while expecting different results”.

Orbiting

Have you been ghosted by someone who still views your Instagram stories and likes your posts? Then you’ve been orbited, my friend. The term refers to when someone you’re dating cuts off contact with you but continues to engage with your content on social media.

Benching

If you like someone, but you’re not ready to commit, you may be benching them to keep them as an option.

Breezing

Taking an easy, relaxed approach to dating is never a bad thing. Breezing is all about that easiness while remaining upfront and honest with those you’re seeing.

Consciously single

According to Bumble, consciously single refers to those who are making a conscious decision to be single, with many being more mindful and intentional in how and when they date.

Dry dating

Dry dating is for those who choose not to drink alcohol on dates.

Kittenfishing

Kittenfishing is basically catfishing’s little sister and refers to those who aren’t lying on their dating profile but maybe bending the truth here and there.

Zombieing

Zombieing is when an ex emerges back from the dead (the dead being your relationship), usually after ghosting you.

Freckling

What cuffing season is to the winter, freckling is to the summer, as people seek a partner during the warmer months.

Pocketing

When someone you’re dating keeps you hidden by not introducing you to family and friends and leaving you off social media.

Carouselling

The thing about the talking stage is that it only seems to be getting longer. It feels like what used to be three or four days of messaging has turned into weeks. The endless conversation, the months-long talking stage, it’s tiring and stressful and has been dubbed carouselling by new dating app, Finding The One.

Breadcrumbing

‘Breadcrumbing’ involves leading someone on, and keeping their hopes up through small and superficial acts of interest. A breadcrumber might be flirtatious, complimentary or seem engaged with you at first, but will ultimately end up disappointing you with empty promises and emotional abandonment.

Backsliding 

On paper, going back to an ex doesn’t seem like a great idea because the breakup happened for a reason. But what if it does work out? Well, this is what has been termed backsliding.

 Cloutlighting

Coined by Jessica Lindsay for Metro in 2018, the term is a portmanteau of ‘clout’ and ‘gaslighting’ – when someone uses their partner to create content solely for the purpose of gaining popularity on social media through abusive and manipulative techniques.

Polter-ghosting

It’s one thing for a date to stop responding to your messages but for someone to simply not turn up to a date without an excuse can be an awful experience. And it’s something that Bumble has cracked down on in its app, putting strict rules around polter-ghosting in its code of conduct guidelines last year.

Cobwebbing

Coined by Bumble last year, the term refers to clearing off the cobwebs and dumping old names and flames so you can make the first move towards something new.

Tinselling 

Coined by Wilson, the name draws inspiration from the shiny, cheerful veneer of tinsel covering what lurks beneath. “Couples tend to tinsel their relationship during the holiday season because societal and family pressures to feel a sense of unity, love and happiness at this time of the year overrides their true feelings,” she explains.

So, there you have it. These are all the key phrases you need to know to keep your dating knowledge in tip-top shape.

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