Social Life & Dating

American slang for relationships, dating, and social dynamics

简介

现代美国的约会文化催生了一整套俚语。从「ghosting」（突然消失）和「breadcrumbing」（若即若离）到「situationships」（暧昧关系）和「the talking stage」（聊天阶段），这些词描述了现代关系的复杂世界。

这一章涵盖关于社交互动和约会的美式俚语——这些是理解美国人在数字时代如何谈论感情的必备词汇。

主题

本章全部美式英语俚语（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.