Bae: to like something or perhaps a significant other. Or literally, you can say “I like coffee” or “coffee is my bae”…or maybe the guy that changes your oil is your “car bae”.
breadcrumbing: stringing someone along with flirty texts. This happens a lot. So I’ve heard.
catfishing: when an online profile is fake or false. Sometimes it’s part of a scam.
cuffing season: the cold season, often called winter, where people decide to temporarily have a mate. The latin root of the word would be “handcuffing”.
deep like: when you scroll through someone’s profile (this could even be on Facebook) and “like” very old photos — on purpose or accidentally. This makes it obvious you spent some serious time stalking their site.
Divorced: I’m just mentioning this because many people use this word before they are actually divorced. Ask for details if you want to know the details.
DTR: “define the relationship”. When you have the talk about how to label what’s going on. (Don’t confuse this with DTF…down to …..)
ghosting: when you have been talking (or possibly more) to someone and suddenly they don’t respond at all.
hat fishing: when someone wears a hat in every photo to conceal their baldness.
IRL: “in real life”. Like….this is all fun online but let’s meet in real life. I can’t really imagine anyone over 40 using this acronym IRL.
LFF, LFWB, LTR: “looking for fun” “looking for friend with benefits” “long term relationship”-
sapiosexual: someone attracted to intelligence, a vast vocabulary, a high SAT score.
swipe right: this refers to indicating interest in someone on certain dating apps. Usually it’s swipe right if you like them, swipe left if you don’t.
sliding into DM’s: I LOVE this phrase and use it often (upsetting my kids each time). This is a way to contact someone and potentially flirt online. DM is direct message. You can even do it on Facebook or Instagram. It’s private, as opposed to commenting on a photo where everyone can view your interaction.
submarining: this is a term for when a ghost (someone that stopped all contact) suddenly reappears with no apology and acts like no time has passed. Think “narcissist”.