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Millennials have completely changed the world of dating. If an older sibling, who had previously been married, were to re-enter the dating world it would seem foreign to them. Such words as breadcrumbing, catfishing, and ghosting used to refer to a household chore, catching dinner, and believing in the supernatural. However, these terms are now used daily when it comes to millennials and their dating habits. Let’s take a closer look and see what terms our young people must understand to make it on their journey to find love.
- Breadcrumbing: When someone flirts with you enough to keep you interested but doesn’t treat you as an actual option. (You’re the backup).
- Catfishing: When someone creates a fake online profile and uses it to communicate with people. It happens more often than you realize.
- Cuffing Season: Generally starts in November and lasts until Spring. It’s winter and people look for someone special to spend the holidays with. No strings attached. It’s like a commitment to date for a few months, but to break up just in time to be single for Spring Break.
- Date: It is the worst possible word that you could utter. Yes, it’s the entire reason for this article. However, millennials hate this word. Asking someone on a date is basically a marriage proposal. See: hang out (the better option).
- DTR: Determine the relationship. Have the conversation. Your friends have been asking if you’re dating yet. His office assistant knows it’s your number appearing on the phone. Honey, it’s time to sit down and talk about what this is.
- Ghosting: When you stop responding. Instead of telling them why you don’t want to continue seeing them, you just don’t respond.
- Hang out: The safe alternative to a date. Just you and him/her hanging out together; this can be going to a movie, going bowling, going on a walk, it can literally mean anytime that the two of you are together. No commitment involved. ALWAYS use this phrase, if you want someone to say yes, that is.
- Laybe: Someone who’s on the verge of a break-up and looking for potential hookups or just flirting.
- The Slow Fade: When a relationship fizzles out over time, without an actual breakup conversation.
- Textationship: You don’t talk in person, you only talk through texts.. Admit it, we’re all guilty of this one.
- Umfriend: Your hookup buddy/friend with benefits/booty call. When people ask you about him your general reply is, “That’s my, um, friend.”
- Zombieing: When a ghoster reappears and acts like nothing happened.
Most of these terms, with their accompanying definitions, have yet to appear in a print dictionary. However, Urban Dictionary and other online sources proudly publish these terms as actual words.
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