Dating & Relationships

Courting, coupling, and the language of love

Introduction

The British approach to romance is famously awkward—and the vocabulary reflects this. From traditional "courting" to modern "ghosting," the language of love captures how we pursue, secure, and sometimes sabotage romantic relationships.

Dating vocabulary has evolved rapidly with apps and changing social norms. Terms like "breadcrumbing," "situationship," and "catching feelings" describe relationship dynamics that previous generations didn't have words for—because they didn't exist.

This chapter covers the full arc of romantic vocabulary—from first attraction to bitter breakup, from traditional courtship to modern hookup culture. Whether you're actively dating or just trying to understand relationship chat, these are the essential terms.

Themes

All British Slang & Idioms in This Chapter (79)

• Fancy Be attracted to, have romantic interest in (British).
• Pull Successfully attract someone romantically; kiss or hook up with (British).
• Fit Attractive, good-looking (British slang).
• Peng Attractive, beautiful, high quality (British youth slang).
• Snog Kiss passionately, make out (British).
• Cop off Hook up with, successfully attract someone (British).
• Graft Work hard to attract someone romantically (British dating slang).
• Mug off Disrespect, make a fool of, reject (British dating slang).
• Pied Rejected, turned down romantically (British slang).
• Bare fancy Really attracted to, like a lot (British youth slang).
• Well into Really interested in, attracted to (British slang).
• Chirpse Flirt with, chat up (British urban slang).
• Link up Meet up, especially for romantic purposes (British youth slang).
• Grafting Actively pursuing someone romantically with effort (British dating slang).
• Going steady In an exclusive relationship, dating seriously (traditional).
• Seeing someone In the early stages of dating, not yet official (British).
• Official In a committed, acknowledged relationship (modern dating).
• Exclusive Dating only each other, not seeing other people (modern dating).
• On-again off-again Relationship that repeatedly breaks up and reconciles.
• Taken Already in a relationship, not available (modern dating).
• Coupled up In a relationship, paired romantically (British).
• Missus Wife or girlfriend (British informal).
• Bird Girlfriend, woman (British informal).
• Fella Boyfriend, man, guy (British informal).
• Partner Significant other, gender-neutral term for romantic partner.
• Ghosting Cutting off all communication without explanation (modern dating).
• Breadcrumbing Sending occasional flirty messages without real intention (modern dating).
• Talking to In early communication stage before dating (modern dating).
• Benching Keeping someone as backup option without commitment (modern dating).
• Catfishing Using fake identity/photos online to deceive (online dating).
• DTF Down to f*ck, interested in casual sex (dating app acronym).
• Sliding into DMs Sending private message to initiate romantic contact (social media dating).
• Ick Sudden feeling of disgust or turn-off toward romantic interest.
• My type on paper Theoretically attractive but no chemistry (Love Island term).
• Dumped Ended relationship, broken up with (informal).
• Binned off Rejected, broken up with (British slang).
• Knocked back Rejected, turned down (British/Australian).
• Sacked off Rejected, abandoned, cancelled (British slang).
• Let down gently Reject kindly without being harsh (dating).
• Zombieing Returning after ghosting someone, coming back from the dead (modern dating).
• Slow fade Gradually reducing contact to end relationship without confrontation.
• It's not you, it's me Classic breakup line deflecting responsibility (cliché).
• Friendzoned Rejected romantically but offered friendship instead.
• Darling Beloved, dear one (term of endearment).
• Babe Romantic partner, attractive person (affectionate/admiring).
• Hun Honey, affectionate term (often female use).
• Beau Boyfriend, male admirer (slightly old-fashioned).
• Babes Affectionate term, often between female friends (British).
• Gorgeous Beautiful, attractive (also term of address).
• My dear Term of endearment, often older to younger (traditional).
• Lovey Darling, affectionate term (British).
• head over heels completely in love
• love at first sight instant romantic attraction
• puppy love youthful romantic infatuation
• on the rocks relationship in trouble
• get cold feet become nervous about commitment
• pop the question propose marriage
• tie the knot get married
• old flame former romantic partner
• carry a torch for love someone unrequitedly
• match made in heaven perfect romantic pairing
• wear your heart on your sleeve openly show emotions
• playing hard to get pretending to be uninterested
• swept off your feet overwhelmed by romantic attention
• lovey-dovey excessively affectionate
• besotted foolishly infatuated
• lovebirds affectionate couple
• better half spouse or partner
• other half romantic partner
• significant other romantic partner
• split up end a relationship
• on a break temporarily separated
• rebound relationship started after breakup
• it's complicated relationship status is unclear
• the one ideal romantic partner
• keeper partner worth keeping
• out of your league too attractive or successful for you
• friend zone categorised as friend not romantic prospect
• love triangle three people in romantic conflict