It’s no secret that the dating scene has significantly changed over the last few years. With the rise of online dating and social media, the way people meet and interact with potential partners has become more complex. To help you stay up to date with the latest trends, we’ve rounded up the top 10 modern dating terms you should know for 2023. From catfishing to zombieing, it’s essential to understand these terms if you want to navigate the dating world in the new year. Read on to find out what these terms mean and how they could affect your love life.
1. Catfishing
Catfishing is one of the most common terms to know in the modern dating landscape. It’s when someone creates a false online persona, typically using stolen photos and false details, to gain someone’s trust and ultimately deceive them. This can happen on any online platform, including dating apps, social media, and even gaming sites. Catfishers use this tactic to lure victims into an emotional or even romantic relationship. They often attempt to solicit money from their victims or use their personal information for malicious purposes.
The objective of catfishing is usually to gain power and control over the other person. It’s important to recognize signs of catfishing so that you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. Some warning signs include suspiciously attractive photos, inconsistent stories, or requests for money or sensitive information. It’s also important to be wary of someone who quickly professes strong feelings for you without really getting to know you first. If you ever suspect that you’re being catfished, it’s best to end communication and report the person immediately.
2. Breadcrumbing
Breadcrumbing is a modern dating term that describes when someone sends out flirtatious, but non-committal messages in order to keep someone interested and on the hook. While this behavior can sometimes be a harmless way of flirting, it can also be a manipulative tactic to keep someone interested without actually investing any real time or effort into the relationship.
Breadcrumbers will send a series of short messages or compliments over text or social media to make someone feel desired. These messages are usually lighthearted in nature, but with an underlying intent to keep the other person interested. Unfortunately, they often don’t follow up these messages with any real commitment and the recipient may be left feeling confused and hurt.
If you find yourself being ‘breadcrumbed’ by someone, it’s important to remember that this person might not be interested in taking things further and it’s best to move on. Ultimately, breadcrumbing is a way of leading someone on without following through and it should be avoided.
3. Fatfishing
Fatfishing is a term used to describe a phenomenon where someone who is overweight or obese presents themselves as being slim or in better physical shape than they actually are in order to attract romantic partners. This tactic is often used on online dating platforms, where people can use photos and videos to misrepresent their physical attributes. While some may think that fatfishing is harmless, it can lead to serious issues like trust and deception within relationships.
When someone is fatfishing, they are often looking for validation from those they are attempting to attract. Consequently, they tend to send messages which are dishonest about their body size and shape. When the truth eventually comes out, this can cause hurt and embarrassment for both parties. It is important to be honest with potential partners about your body size, shape, and health in order to build trust and respect within relationships.
In addition, it reinforces a negative stereotype that being overweight or obese is something to be ashamed of or hidden. It perpetuates a culture of fat shaming, which can be damaging and hurtful to individuals. The best way to tame this type of behavior is to be comfortable and proud of your body no matter what size or shape you are. Everyone deserves respect and should not be judged solely on their appearance.
4. Sadfishing
Sadfishing is a term used to describe the act of trying to gain sympathy from someone else through strategically crafted posts about feeling depressed, sad, or lonely on social media. This tactic is usually done in hopes of gaining attention, likes, and comments from the people that you are targeting. In some cases, people may even attempt to use this method to manipulate the emotions of their target.
At its worst, sadfishing can be emotionally manipulative and exploitative. It can be seen as a form of emotional abuse and it should be avoided at all costs. Those engaging in sadfishing might think they’re getting a positive response, but in reality, they can be creating more distance between themselves and the people they’re targeting.
While sadfishing can be damaging and hurtful, it’s important to remember that everyone has different experiences and feelings. If you feel like someone is sadfishing you, try to approach them in a non-confrontational way and be respectful and understanding of how they might be feeling.
5. Sliding into DMs
Sliding into DMs, or Direct Messages, is a term used to describe the act of sending someone a message on social media out of the blue. This could be a flirty message, an invitation to hang out, or anything else that’s intended to spark a conversation. Sliding into DMs is becoming increasingly popular among millennials as a way to break the ice and initiate a conversation with someone they may not have had the courage to approach in person.
The biggest advantage of sliding into DMs is that it allows people to take the initiative without having to face potential rejection. It also allows people to get to know someone better before they actually meet in person, which can lead to a better connection. On the other hand, it can also make people feel like they’re being objectified or judged based on their looks.
It’s important for people to remember that sliding into DMs isn’t necessarily a bad thing – it can be a great way to break the ice and get to know someone better before meeting in person. However, it’s important to be respectful and not take advantage of someone’s trust. Be sure to keep your messages appropriate, as you never know who might read them!
6. Gatsbying
Gatsbying is a modern dating term that refers to a particular form of flirting. It’s based on the classic novel, The Great Gatsby, where the main character uses grand romantic gestures to win over his love interest. In modern terms, this implies making grand and romantic gestures to show your interest in someone. This could include sending extravagant gifts, going out of your way to do something special, or sending messages full of compliments. While Gatsbying can be seen as a flattering gesture, it can also come off as too much and pushy if not done carefully. If you’re interested in someone, make sure to read their signals before showering them with grand gestures.
7. Orbiting
Orbiting is a modern dating term used to describe someone who has broken off contact with you, but is still keeping an eye on your social media profiles. They will like your photos, comment on them, or even watch your stories without ever initiating contact or responding to messages. This behavior can leave you feeling confused and frustrated, as it makes it difficult to know what their intentions are. It’s important to remember that orbiting does not necessarily mean that the person is interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with you—they may just be curious about your life. If you’re looking for clarity, try messaging them directly and asking how they feel about you.
8. Kittenfishing
Kittenfishing is a term that refers to the practice of presenting yourself in an unrealistically positive light on a dating app or website. It usually involves lying about age, weight, height, interests, or even exaggerating certain qualities. It can also include posting outdated or heavily edited pictures or using pictures of someone else entirely.
This kind of behavior is not only misleading but also unethical and can lead to disappointment and hurt feelings if someone’s expectations aren’t met. It’s important to be honest and authentic when communicating with others online, especially in the context of dating. If someone isn’t being genuine, it could be a red flag for a more serious issue like catfishing.
9. R-Seeking
R-seeking is a relatively new dating term that refers to the process of seeking out someone you’re romantically interested in, usually on social media. This typically involves sending messages, “liking” posts, or commenting on their profile to get their attention. R-seeking often occurs when people don’t want to come off as too forward or aggressive in their approach and are taking a more subtle route in trying to make an impression. While this tactic can sometimes be effective, it’s important to remember that you should never be too overbearing in your efforts and it’s always better to take things slow if you’re serious about starting a relationship with someone.
10. Zombieing
Zombieing is the act of an ex-partner (or former fling) reappearing in your life after a long period of time with no contact. It’s usually done through social media, text messages, or other means of communication, and it can be surprising to the recipient as they had thought that the relationship was over. Zombieing is often seen as a manipulative way to gain attention, as the person may be trying to appear to have changed or learned from past mistakes. It’s important to remember that a person who is zombieing may not actually want to rekindle a relationship, but instead just wants to keep their options open. Be aware of any red flags or warning signs, and consider speaking with a friend or family member before responding to their messages.
Wrapping Up
Navigating the modern dating scene can be difficult enough, let alone when you don’t know the language! As we’ve seen, there are plenty of new terms to be aware of as you enter the world of online dating in 2023. From ‘catfishing’ to ‘zombieing’, you now have the knowledge to stay up-to-date with all of the latest dating terms. With this in mind, you’ll be able to confidently navigate the world of dating and hopefully find the perfect person for you.
