Why learning Online Dating Slang Terms Matters?

Online Dating Slang Terms are very important essentials one must learn if they want to be successful in finding the one true love over the internet.

Internet dating has shifted so much that paved the way for the discovery of a new language.

“Have you tried DM’ing your crush in IG?”

“Have you ghosted someone?”

“Looking for bae.”

Online Dating or Internet Dating is undoubtedly a trend that almost all of us are not a stranger to. This another way of finding love continues to change and upgrade in the online dating world. And surprisingly, its slang-filled lingo intrigued all of us, especially the elder generation.

Online Dating slang terms came with the rise of technology, the internet, and even pop culture. These terms, which are made famous by celebrities, are taking the internet by storm. Despite its popularity, a lot still don’t understand what they are and how to use them correctly in a conversation.

We understand that you feel scared when you hear someone talks about ghost and zombies. However, these terms also denote depressing/painful meaning rather than being scary.

So, in this article, we are going to enumerate some of the most popular online dating slang terms used in 2020. And we hope that this will ease your confusion every time you see of this internet dating slang terms.
Who knows, you’ll find your future bae by learning these slang terms?

Bae

Bae is the short form of “baby/babe,”. Originally, this term was first used as an endearment for a significant other. However, this online dating slang term became a descriptor of anything you might find attractive, nice, or awesome. For example, we say:

“That man looks so hot. He is my future bae”.”

“Check out what she’s wearing! A true bae!”

Ghosting

Ghosting happens when someone you have been actively chatting with suddenly disappears out of your life. No return texts, no calls, no chats — nothing. Though you didn’t hear them saying “Goodbye”, it just simply means they’re no longer interested in you.

It’s more abrupt than breadcrumbing: the ‘ghoster’ will suddenly stop replying to texts and won’t answer calls, and the ‘ghostee’ is usually left hurt and confused.

“I’m not feeling Tom anymore, but he’s really into me. I think I’m just going to ghost him.”

Sliding into DM’s

When you slide someone a DM, it means you send him/her a private direct message. This term is very common when you want to send a message to someone using a Social Media Network. Sometimes, people use PM instead of DM but don’t get confused because they are just the same.

As being used in online dating slang terms, DM comes to get someone’s attention and eventually create a romantic connection. It usually happens after some public interaction, whether liking a photo or replying to each other’s comments.

“I know Josh and I are not in good terms. But do you think I should into his DM?”

Benching

Benching is another online dating slang term you should be familiar with. This happens when you keep chatting, calling, and flirting, but you’re not ready enough for any commitment with someone. You constantly communicate with them, but you don’t have anyat all. You act like you are officially dating, but the truth is you aren’t. All you want is for them to be always there for you. And you don’t want them to flirt and move on with other people. In short, you string people along Benching is simply stringing yourself them along keep them on the sidelines.

“That’s just crazy dude. She’s benching you. Find another bae and move on!”

Catfishing

Catfishing is a very popular online dating slang term that has made its way into the mainstream after the 2010 documentary, Catfish. It  is a type of online scam prevalent as defined nowadays. This happens when someone uses fake profiles to build a relationship with you and then put you in the trap.

Messaging with someone who’s pretending to be someone else? You’re being catfished! Before you get deep with someone, be sure you already had a personal encounter or even video chat as soon as you can muster. If they refuse, they might be catfishing you.

“My friends and I were catfishing at the club last night and at least 5 people noticed!”

Cuffing Season

Cuffing Season covers the fall and winter season when everyone wants to stay warm and get cozy with any single person available. It usually involves enjoying a unique romantic relationship only for the short term. Cuffing season implies temporary mutually beneficial arrangements only to find a company and ward off boredom and loneliness that’s strictly seasonal.

“Because of COVID-19, quarantine has become the new Cuffing Season for some celebrities”

Genderfluid

The term genderfluid is yet another confusing online dating slang that puts people in confusion. By the definition, Gender refers to your gender and fluid, as in flowing, non-stable, movable, changeable. A genderfluid person is someone who shifts between over one gender, or between having gender and not having one. They do not stick to one gender, or lack thereof, for their entire life. It is not related to a person’s genitalia, nor their sexual orientation.

“Justine identified as a boy last week, a girl yesterday, and is ‘agender’ today. This makes them genderfluid.”

Netflix and Chill

Netflix and Chill sound a lot of fun with the idea of chilling while watching movies via Netflix. Originally, “Netflix and chill” was a euphemism for a stay-at-home date that led to sex pretty quickly. When you invite someone for a “Netflix and chill,” you and that person abandon the movie because it’s not the main attraction, it’s the hookup.

“How’s your Saturday night?”

“It was terrific!”

“Wow. What happened?”

“Well, I invited Lily in the house for a little Netflix and chill… you can guess what happened next.”

Open Relationship

The slang term ‘open relationship’ is one of the craziest terms in dating. An open relationship is a relationship wherein two people agree that they want to be together, but can’t exactly promise that they won’t see other people too. This means that both parties have the freedom to hook up and sleep with other people.

“One thing I like about Jerry is that he gives me the freedom to enjoy my life. I can sleep and hook up with other men besides him. I’m thinking of asking him for an open relationship.”

DTR

When someone urges you to DTR or “define the relationship,” it means that they want to clarify and discuss your mutual understanding of a romantic relationship (casual dating, serious boyfriend, etc).

“I don’t know what we are. I guess we gotta do a little DTR’ing tonight.”

IRL

IRL is the abbreviation for “in real life.” This slang term is very popular not only in online dating but also in social media. When someone mentions IRL, they mean that they are ready to meet you in person, face to face.

“I hope you are as sweet as you are now IRL.”

Love Bombing

One very important truth you should know about love bombing it’s manipulative and abusive behavior. Love bombing campaign of fake love, affection, favors, flattery designed to overwhelm the target and hide the love bomber’s true motives. As the term suggests, the modus starts with showing you affection and sincerity until you give in and commit to the relationship. Thereafter, the “bombing” happens as they withdraw that excessive dedication and show their real, cruel intentions.

“The love bombing experienced I had with Joe was traumatic. I didn’t know I was in a toxic relationship until my friends slapped me with the truth.”

Slow Fade

Slow fade happens when you let go of your partner little by little after realizing you aren’t into the other person anymore.

This is maybe because the excitement’s already vanished, and nothing is rewarding anymore. Slow fade starts by reducing contact until every connection is gone. Then you end your relationship without directly telling the person.

“I don’t want to hurt her, but I no longer love her. Do you think a slow fade is better rather than confronting her?”

Zombies

While ghosting is the act of vanishing, zombieing is the opposite. Zombieing is where someone you previously dated or had a relationship with, ghosted you, and unexpectedly resurfaced as nothing happened. They will pop right back into your DMs or even give you a phone call.

Zombieing usually happens just after you recovered from the pain of having them ghost you in the first place. Then, suddenly, they subtly reappear, causing more emotional upset.

“I thought John and I are over. I have not heard from him for two weeks and guess who slides me a DM on Instagram. He’s zombieing me and I find it creepy.”

Asexual

Not sexually attracted to either men or women. That’s the weird definition of the online dating slang term asexual. An asexual is a person who does not experience sexual attraction to either gender but may still experience romantic and physical attraction and even take part in sexual acts for physical pleasure, etc.

“Halsey, it seems you’re getting cozy with Cara. Are you guys dating? I believe she’s asexual, not lesbian.”

“Cara’s asexual and likes boys! Do you think that’s not possible?”

How do you feel learning all these online dating slang terms? Feels like you are in a whole new world, right?

Years from now, we’ll get to learn new slang terms again because language and culture are developing.

Regardless, if you’re online dating experience, you ought to know the trends so you’ll not get lost in translation.

Ready to take the online dating experience to a whole new level? Well, you better learn these slang terms and keep your inbox poppin’ with DM’s.

Good luck and let the internet love hunt begin!

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