Ghosting: When someone you're dating suddenly cuts off all communication without any explanation. This typically happens without any prior warning and leaves the person on the receiving end wondering what went wrong.
Breadcrumbing: This term refers to when someone sends out flirtatious but non-committal messages ("breadcrumbs") to keep a potential partner interested without putting any serious effort into the relationship. It’s just enough attention to keep you hanging on but not enough to actually move the relationship forward.
Benching: Similar to breadcrumbing, benching involves keeping someone on the sidelines while they date other people. The person being "benched" is like a backup option—if other romantic pursuits don't work out.
Cuffing Season: This term describes the period during the colder months of the year when singles are more inclined to settle down in a serious relationship. The idea is that cold weather and prolonged indoor activity leads people to pair up and "cuff" themselves to partners until the warmer months.
Catfishing: Catfishing happens when someone creates a fake online profile to deceive others about their true identity, often as part of a romantic scam. The person behind the fake profile engages in relationships under false pretenses.
Zombieing: This occurs when someone who has ghosted you suddenly reappears in your life, acting as if nothing happened. They might reach out with a random message or like your social media posts, trying to re-enter your life after a period of total silence.
Situationship: A situationship is a romantic relationship that's undefined or uncommitted. It may have many of the characteristics of a committed relationship but lacks a clear label or long-term commitment, making it somewhere between "friends with benefits" and "in a relationship."
Orbiting: Orbiting is when someone you've stopped seeing still engages with you on social media. They might like your photos or watch your stories but won't directly communicate with you. It can be confusing because, despite their online presence, they make no real effort to reach out or reconnect in real life.