The Dating Glossary

TLDR: Fluffing: The act of leading someone on emotionally — just so you can feel pretty great about yourself. Spoiler: It’s rude, don’t do...

TLDR: Paperclipping: When someone ghosts you, you get over them and they suddenly show back up in your life. Rock, paper, scissors… paperclipping? We’re back...

TLDR: Catfishing is when someone pretends to be someone they aren’t online—and never wants to meet you in person. While your grandpa might associate this...

TLDR: Cuffing season: when singles actively seek a partner once the weather transitions from warm to cold temperatures. The second the first chill hits...

TLDR: Ghosting: when someone you’re romantically interested in completely disappears without warning or communication. You swipe right. You match. You start a witty banter. You...

TLDR: Benching is when you keep someone on the backburner—just in case someone else better doesn’t come along. Those star-studded, rose-colored rom coms all...

TLDR: Micro-cheating: where you aren’t 100 percent emotionally faithful to your partner–but physically, you don’t break any rules. Some couples find the concept of monogamy...

TDLR: Cushioning: when you’re in what you think is a serious relationship, but your partner is keeping ‘cushions’ in the wings—just in case. If you’ve...

TDLR: Breadcrumbing: when you give the idea you’re interested in a relationship—or sex—but never follow through. You might have to use cliff notes—but try to...

TDLR: Curving: when a person rejects you subtly and continuously—but keeps you hanging on. It’s not about how well you take a windy route,...

TLDR: DTR is the discussion two people have when they want to decide if they are in a relationship—or not. In a relationship, there are...

TLDR: Freeclimbing is when you get lost in a deep, dark hole of cyber-stalking your match on Facebook, Instagram, Google, you name it. Once upon...