Social Life & Dating

American slang for relationships, dating, and social dynamics

Introduction

Modern American dating culture has spawned a whole lexicon of slang. From "ghosting" and "breadcrumbing" to "situationships" and "the talking stage", these terms describe the complex world of modern relationships.

This chapter covers American slang for social interactions and dating — essential vocabulary for understanding how Americans talk about relationships in the digital age.

Themes

All American Slang & Idioms in This Chapter (92)

• Ghosting Suddenly cutting off all communication with someone without explanation.
• Breadcrumbing Sending occasional flirty messages to keep someone interested without any int...
• Catfishing Pretending to be someone else online, especially on dating apps, using fake p...
• Sliding into DMs Sending a direct message to someone on social media, usually with romantic or...
• Swipe right To indicate interest in someone, originally on dating apps; now used broadly ...
• Swipe left To reject or pass on someone, originally on dating apps; used broadly to expr...
• Situationship A romantic relationship that has no clear definition or commitment — more tha...
• The talking stage The early phase of getting to know someone romantically, before officially da...
• DTR Define the relationship — the conversation where two people discuss what they...
• Netflix and chill An invitation to come over and hook up, disguised as a casual suggestion to w...
• Cuffing season The fall and winter months when single people seek out relationships to have ...
• Benching Keeping someone as a backup romantic option by maintaining minimal contact wi...
• Orbiting When someone stops talking to you directly but continues to engage with your ...
• Zombieing When someone who previously ghosted you suddenly reappears and tries to recon...
• Love bombing Overwhelming someone with excessive affection, attention, and gifts early in ...
• Slow fade Gradually reducing communication and contact with someone to end a relationsh...
• Boo A term of endearment for a romantic partner or someone you have feelings for.
• Bae A term of endearment for a significant other; sometimes said to stand for 'be...
• Wifey An affectionate term for a girlfriend or female partner, implying she has wif...
• Hubby An affectionate, informal term for a husband or long-term male partner.
• Main squeeze Your primary romantic partner; the most important person you are dating.
• Side piece A secret romantic or sexual partner that someone has in addition to their mai...
• FWB Friends with benefits — a friendship that includes a sexual relationship with...
• On the rebound Starting a new relationship shortly after a breakup, often before fully heali...
• Ship To endorse or root for a romantic pairing, whether real or fictional; short f...
• Couple goals A compliment describing a couple whose relationship is so admirable that othe...
• PDA Public display of affection — physical intimacy shown between partners in pub...
• It's complicated A vague relationship status indicating an unclear or messy romantic situation.
• Rizz Natural charm or charisma, especially the ability to attract romantic interes...
• Shooting your shot Making a bold attempt to express romantic interest in someone, despite the ri...
• Playing the field Dating multiple people at the same time without committing to any one person.
• Got game Having strong social skills and charisma, especially when it comes to attract...
• Spitting game Flirting with someone or using smooth, persuasive talk to attract romantic in...
• Wingman A friend who helps you meet and attract potential romantic partners in social...
• Pickup line A rehearsed, often cheesy opening line used to start a conversation with some...
• Hitting on Flirting with someone or making romantic advances toward them.
• Checking out Looking at someone with obvious appreciation of their physical attractiveness.
• Eye candy A very attractive person who is pleasant to look at.
• Crush A strong, often unspoken romantic attraction to someone; also the person you ...
• Dumped To be broken up with by a romantic partner; to be rejected or ended.
• Got played To be deceived or manipulated by someone, especially in a romantic context.
• Rebound A person someone dates immediately after a breakup, often as a way to cope wi...
• The one that got away A former romantic partner or crush that you still think about and wonder 'wha...
• Leading someone on Giving someone false hope about a romantic relationship by acting interested ...
• Stringing along Keeping someone in a relationship or romantic pursuit without genuine commitm...
• It's not you, it's me A cliched breakup line meant to soften the blow by taking responsibility, but...
• Taking a break Temporarily pausing a romantic relationship to reevaluate, with the possibili...
• Soft launch Subtly revealing a new relationship on social media without showing the perso...
• Hard launch Officially and openly revealing a new relationship on social media with clear...
• Left on read When someone sees your message (shown by a read receipt) but doesn't respond.
• Double texting Sending a second text message before the other person has responded to your f...
• Spill the tea To share gossip or reveal juicy, often scandalous information.
• The tea Gossip, drama, or the full truth about a situation.
• Messy Describes a person who stirs up drama or a situation full of complicated inte...
• The deets Short for 'the details' — asking for specific information about a situation, ...
• FOMO Fear of missing out — anxiety that others are having fun or exciting experien...
• Link up To meet up with someone or get together.
• Pull up To arrive at a location or come to where someone is; an invitation to come over.
• Third wheel An extra person tagging along with a couple, often feeling awkward and out of...
• BFF Best Friends Forever — a close, loyal friend you consider your closest compan...
• Bestie A term of endearment for your best friend or close friend.
• Day ones Your oldest, most loyal friends — the people who have been with you from the ...
• Inner circle Your closest, most trusted group of friends — the people you share everything...
• Friend zone A situation where one person has romantic feelings but the other only sees th...
• Stood up When someone fails to show up for a planned date or meeting, leaving you wait...
• Hook up To have a casual sexual encounter with someone; can also mean to meet up or c...
• Making out Kissing someone passionately and extensively, often with physical closeness.
• Stage five clinger A person who becomes excessively attached and needy very quickly in a relatio...
• Red flag A warning sign in a person's behavior that suggests they may be problematic a...
• Green flag A positive sign in a person's behavior that suggests they would be a good par...
• Dealbreaker A quality or behavior in a potential partner that is completely unacceptable ...
• A catch A highly desirable person who would make an excellent romantic partner.
• Out of my league Someone who is considered too attractive, successful, or desirable for you to...
• No strings attached A relationship or encounter with no expectations, obligations, or emotional c...
• On-again, off-again A relationship that repeatedly breaks up and gets back together.
• The talk A serious conversation about the status or future of a romantic relationship.
• Exclusive When two people agree to only date each other, but may not yet use the boyfri...
• Seeing someone Casually dating a person; in the early stages of a romantic relationship.
• Player A person who dates multiple people at once, often being dishonest about their...
• Heartbreaker A person who is known for breaking people's hearts, often because they are ve...
• Get-together A casual, informal social gathering — smaller and more relaxed than a party.
• Kickback A small, relaxed social gathering, usually at someone's house, with a chill a...
• Plus one A guest you bring as your date or companion to an event, especially a wedding...
• Date night A designated evening for a couple to spend quality time together, often going...
• Slow burn A romantic connection that develops gradually over a long period of time rath...
• Keeping it casual Maintaining a relaxed, uncommitted approach to dating without pursuing a seri...
• Single and ready to mingle A playful declaration that you're single and actively looking to meet new rom...
• Talking to someone In the early phase of a potential romantic relationship — more than friends b...
• Catch a vibe To connect with someone on an emotional or romantic level; to feel mutual att...
• Ghosted The past tense of ghosting — someone suddenly stopped all communication with ...
• Squad goals A group of friends whose dynamic is so admirable that others aspire to have a...
• Clapback A quick, sharp, and witty response to criticism or an insult.