Beige Flag
A trait that is not a dealbreaker or a green light, just oddly boring or mildly off, enough to make you pause.
Benching
Keeping someone as a backup option, interested enough to stay around but never picked for the actual team.
Breadcrumbing
Sending just enough flirty messages to keep someone interested, with no real intention of committing or meeting up.
Caspering
A friendlier version of ghosting where you let someone down gently before disappearing, like a friendly ghost.
Catfishing
Using fake photos and a false identity to trick someone into a relationship online.
Cookie Jarring
Keeping someone on the go as a sweet backup while you actively chase the person you really want.
Cuffing Season
The autumn and winter stretch when people look to couple up for warmth and company through the cold months.
Curving
Turning someone down softly and indirectly rather than clearly saying you are not interested.
Cushioning
Keeping one or more backup options on the side while in a relationship, to cushion the blow if it ends.
Delulu
Short for delusional, used playfully for having wildly optimistic or unrealistic hopes about a crush or relationship.
Dry Texting
Short, low-effort replies like "ok" or "lol" that stall the conversation and signal low interest.
DTR
Short for Define the Relationship, the conversation where two people agree what they are and where it is heading.
Fexting
Fighting or arguing with a partner over text instead of in person.
Future Faking
Making big promises about a shared future with no intention of keeping them, used to keep you invested now.
Gaslighting
Manipulating someone into doubting their own memory, feelings or judgement to gain control over them.
Ghosting
Cutting off all contact with someone with no explanation, then disappearing completely.
Green Flag
A sign that someone is healthy, considerate and worth pursuing, the opposite of a red flag.
Hard Launch
Publicly confirming a relationship on social media by clearly showing your partner's face and making it official.
Hatfishing
Wearing a hat in every dating profile photo to hide hair loss or a receding hairline.
Haunting
When an ex lingers on the edges of your online life, liking and viewing your posts without ever speaking to you.
Kittenfishing
Lightly exaggerating yourself on a dating profile through old photos, a height bump or a generous job title.
Love Bombing
Overwhelming someone with intense affection, gifts and attention early on to gain control fast.
Negging
A backhanded compliment or subtle insult designed to knock your confidence and make you seek the other person's approval.
Orbiting
When someone stops talking to you but keeps watching and reacting to all your stories and posts.
Paperclipping
When an ex or old flame pops back up at random intervals just to remind you they exist, then vanishes again.
Peacocking
Dressing in bold, flashy clothing or accessories to stand out and attract attention.
Pocketing
Keeping a partner hidden from your friends, family and social media, as if pocketed away out of sight.
Red Flag
A warning sign early in dating that someone may be unhealthy, unkind or unsafe to get involved with.
Rizz
Charm or skill at attracting and flirting with someone, short for charisma.
Roaching
Hiding the fact that you are still seeing other people, then claiming you never agreed to be exclusive once caught.
Roster
The group of people someone is casually dating or talking to at the same time.
Simp
Someone who pours excessive attention, effort or money into a person who does not return their interest.
Situationship
A romantic relationship that sits between casual dating and an official couple, with no agreed label, status or commitment.
Slow Fade
Gradually reducing contact to end things quietly, instead of having an honest conversation.
Soft Launch
Hinting at a new relationship on social media without showing your partner's face or naming them.
Submarining
When someone who vanished resurfaces and acts as if no time has passed, without ever explaining the disappearance.
Talking Stage
The early phase where two people chat and flirt before either has committed to dating properly.
The Ick
A sudden feeling of disgust or turn-off towards someone you fancied, often triggered by something small.
Wokefishing
Pretending to hold progressive or caring values to attract someone, then dropping the act once they are hooked.
Zombieing
When someone who ghosted you suddenly returns from the dead with a casual message as if nothing happened.
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