Photo by Jennifer Ryan Jones If you haven’t dated for a while getting back out, there can be pretty intimidating. The dating world has changed, and you'll need to get yourself up to speed. Before uploading your profile pic to a site like Match.com, make sure you’re wearing something from this decade. If you're hoping to meet someone special, make an effort to dress yourself up. Mullets, patchy beards, rouge nose hairs and chapped lips are wrong. So, if you're lucky enough to land yourself a date with Ms. Right, pay special attention to your grooming. We’ve got you covered here.
Now that you’re looking half your age, and they’re all swiping right, you better get current with the lingo. Here’s a list of some basic dating terms all sourced from the absolute authority in all things slang, Urban Dictionary.
During the Fall and Winter months, people who would normally rather be single or promiscuous find themselves along with the rest of the world desiring to be "Cuffed" or tied down by a serious relationship. The cold weather and prolonged indoor activity cause singles to become lonely and desperate to be cuffed.
The act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone the subject is dating, but no longer wishes to date. This is done in hopes that the ghostee will just "get the hint" and leave the subject alone, as opposed to the subject simply telling them he/she is no longer interested. Ghosting is not specific to a certain gender and is closely related to the subject's maturity and communication skills. Many attempt to justify ghosting as a way to cease dating the ghostee without hurting their feelings, but it, in fact, proves the subject is thinking more of themselves, as ghosting often creates more confusion for the ghostee than if the subject kindly stated how he/she feels.
Stashing is when you're in a relationship with someone, and you refuse to introduce them to your friends and family; mostly because you view the person as temporary, replaceable, and/or you're an asshole.
Verb: to have sex with someone you were previously dating or hooking up with. Specifically after a falling out or bad breakup and tends to make things more complicated.
Benching is when you start dating someone you think is nice and who has potential, but you're not crazy about them. You don't know whether to keep dating them or dump them and move on to the next one. This is where benching happens; instead of going for either of the above-polarized options, you put your date in your mental 'maybe' folder and 'bench them' so you date around to see what else is out there.
Catch and release - n - the practice of hooking up with someone and not becoming emotionally/physically attached to them.
The act of sending out flirtatious, but non-committal text messages (i.e. "breadcrumbs") to members of the opposite sex to lure a sexual partner without expending much effort.
A person who is "on the hook" will be overly infatuated with another person. The person who is the desired generally takes little notice (and often complete advantage) of the person who is on the hook.
A dating technique where along with your main piece you also have several 'cushions,' other people you'll chat and flirt with to cushion the potential blow of your main break-up and not leave you alone.
The phenomenon of internet predators that fabricate online identities and entire social circles to trick people into emotional/romantic relationships (over a long period of time).
1. lacking in readiness, or willingness to accept a budding relationship, therefore, institutes this passive-aggressive method of disappearing from a relationship all together over an extended period of time.
2. The step before dating, usually at this stage both people are aware they like each other but choose to get to know each other/flirt first. Probably the cutest and most fun stage.
Define The Relationship. When two people discuss their mutual understanding of a romantic relationship (casual dating, serious boyfriend, etc.).
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