Welcome to the Wild World of Gen-Z Dating Slang! It’s like they’ve created their own language, leaving us older folks scratching our heads. Don’t worry; let’s unravel these quirky dating terms together and make sure you’re in on the hippest lingo around!
Suppose you’re ready to upgrade your English fluency practice and dating vocab, and sprinkle some extra cool points into your conversations, buckle up. We’re about to drop knowledge bombs that’ll make you the king or queen of modern dating lingo!
We are all familiar with the terms red and green flags, but did you know that a new dating phrase has also been coined: beige flags? However, they suggest that the person is less poisonous but bothersome in the same way that a red sign might be. In essence, it tells us that the person is somewhat uninteresting in real life and does not really have a personality on social dating applications.
When you flirtatiously but noncommittally send messages to someone you aren’t actually interested in dating but lack the guts to end things entirely, this is known as breadcrumb. Simply put, you’re using them to bolster your ego and keep being single while deceiving someone into thinking they have a shot with you. It draws its inspiration from the well-known Hansel and Gretel tale, in which the wicked witch tempts the children with cookies before baking them.
To be honest, this doesn’t happen all that often, especially in “modern dating.” Simply put, being “wifed up” means a man is so dedicated to his relationship that he puts her ahead of all other plans and social engagements.
A soft launch is exactly as its name suggests! In this context, it refers to introducing your partner to potential dates. You can play a fun social media game called “soft launching your partner” by sharing sneak peek pictures of the person you’re gradually introducing to the public. For instance, start by posting pictures from your coffee date without revealing their name. You can also share romantic quotes or blogs about how you met someone incredible to gently hint at your new relationship.
Cuffed simply denotes a monogamous relationship, such as being handCUFFED to someone. Unofficially, the cuffing season begins in October as the weather lowers and singles begin to long for a partner to cuddle up with on cold winter nights. When they’ve DTRed (defined the relationship) and agreed they’re seeing each other only, two individuals typically regard themselves to be cuffed.
“We’re not dating, Dad; we have a “thing,” Something between two people symbolizes the hazy, transitional moment between friendship and love. You two might have kissed at junior prom, but you haven’t proven that you’re boyfriend and girlfriend yet. In colleges, this phrase had become obsolete, with “we have a thing” being replaced by “we’re hooking up.” The former implies a far more promiscuous relationship; therefore, we should be happy that younger Gen Zers don’t use it.
Gen-Z has essentially appropriated the phrase “ghosting,” a buzzword in dating, from the millennial generation. This phrase describes a situation in which the significant other abruptly and without warning ends all communication. They might be communicating well with you right now, but they could disappear tomorrow and stop texting or calling you for days or even weeks.
As opposed to ghosting, this dating phrase, “zombie-ing,” describes when a person who previously ghosted you reappears out of nowhere as if nothing ever occurred! In essence, the spirit simply reappears in your life like a zombie! Like in a true apocalypse, it is obviously a warning sign, and we should keep as far away from them as we can.
It’s healthy, so don’t be alarmed. Simply enough, “shooting your shot” refers to finding the confidence to approach your crush. Sliding into someone’s DMs (messaging them) is a frequent approach to making your move. Only the present tense and infinitive are used with this phrase. The likelihood of receiving a “ok boomer” in answer to the statement “back when I was your age, I shot my shot with your mom” is very high.
This phrase is quite fashionable in today’s dating world. It basically means that even though you feel strongly about one another and may even spend a lot of time together, you choose not to refer to one another as your boyfriend or girlfriend. In this relationship, there is no discussion of where things are heading or who we are; instead, you both just go along with the ride.
When a guy acts submissively toward a girl who puts minimal effort into their friendship, it is called “simping” in its original sense. Being friend-zoned is sometimes equated with simping when a male will go to great lengths for a girl he likes, only to be treated as a purely platonic companion.
You can be anyone behind a screen in the world of online dating! As a result, you appear to have strong political and social opinions simply because the person you find attractive is curious to talk about them. To put it simply, woke fishing is the practice of deceiving potential partners into thinking in a progressive manner. It is similar to catfishing but only involves social and political opinions.
And there you have it, a crash course on the hippest Gen Z dating slang words that will make you sound like a pro in the world of modern romance! Whether you’re swiping right or sliding into DMs, these words are your secret weapon to navigate the ever-evolving dating scene with style. But remember, just like staying up to date with dating slang, honing your spoken English practice can give you the confidence to strike up conversations with anyone, anytime. If you’re ready to level up your language game, our online spoken English service at English With Janet is here to help you charm with words and connect with hearts. Embrace the linguistic adventure and conquer the art of modern communication!
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