Dating & Relationships

Courting, coupling, and the language of love

简介

英国人谈恋爱出了名地笨拙——词汇恰好反映了这一点。从传统的"courting（求爱）"到现代的"ghosting（突然消失不联系）"，爱情的语言捕捉了我们如何追求、巩固、有时候又搞砸一段浪漫关系。

恋爱词汇随着社交App和社会观念的变化飞速演变。"Breadcrumbing（只给一点甜头吊着你）""situationship（说不清的暧昧关系）""catching feelings（不知不觉动了心）"这些词描述的是上一代人根本没有词来形容的关系形态——因为这些关系形态以前根本不存在。

这一章覆盖了恋爱词汇的完整弧线——从一见倾心到痛苦分手，从传统的追求到现代的约炮文化。不管你是正在积极约会，还是只想听懂别人聊感情，这些都是必备术语。

主题

本章全部英语俚语（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