Valentine’s Day: 11 Gen-Z dating terms every millennial should know about modern love (2024)

If you’re a Bollywood-loving millennial, you have been brought up on the idea of ‘Pehla Nasha’ and ‘Ishq Wala’ Love! But all that seems to be getting a little lost today – thanks to the casual situationship of a relationship. What you just read is a trailer in the big dating lingo movie that Gen-Zs think is a hit! While it might hurt your millennial back, you must learn these go-to dating and sex lingo that even people your age are referring to. So, if you aren’t up to speed with Gen-Z’s dating lingo, it’s time for you to tune in to the modern love language this Valentine’s Day.

11 popular Gen-Z dating terms

Here are the most commonly used modern dating terms by Gen-Zs we have come across, and you should learn too!

1. Benching

Benching in sports means asking a player to sit on the bench because they are not allowed or good enough to win the match. It could also be because the player is injured or something else. Benching in dating is very similar to this. So, you bench someone when they do something to upset you. So, basically putting them on notice – less interaction, fewer meetings, calls, or texts.

2. Breadcrumbing

Does he make you feel special every time you talk to each other, and the next moment, he’s gone? Poof – gone! Well, this is pretty much what is breadcrumbing. It is the act in which a person gives another person mixed signals, meaning they flirt with you but just enough to lure you in, not commit. So, you are left wondering about the true intentions of the person. In the simplest form, it’s leading someone on without really planning on giving them commitment. It is actually a sign of emotional abuse that you need to look out for.

Also Read: 7 tell-tale signs of an emotionally-abusive relationship you must watch out for

3. Cuffing season

When it’s cold outside and all you want to do is snuggle up with someone – this is the cuffing season! This season starts in October and lasts till around Valentine’s Day – so this is the time couples get cuffed and uncuffed. So, people shack up with someone during the colder months without a long-term commitment in mind.

4. DTR

DTR is an acronym for ‘define the relationship’. When the initial phase of holding hands and enjoying cute little things passes, comes the time most people despise. Yes, we are talking about the time when you have to define the relationship. Are we exclusive? Are we dating? Should we take the next step in the relationship? Defining a relationship is one of the most nerve-wracking moments in most relationships, even if you are sure of your partner’s decision.

5. Fleabagging

Sounds weird? Wait till we give you some perspective that will make you realise that we have all done it. Fleabagging is the trend that involves dating and breaking up, then making up with the wrong person over and over again. Sounds familiar? Whether you blame it on your partner’s charming self or your “bad taste” in men, if you find yourself getting back together with someone you know isn’t right for you, sorry to break it to you but you’re a fleabagger!

Also Read: Scared to set new boundaries in old relationships? Here’s how to do it

6. Ghosting

So, this is not really a term Gen-Zs came up with – millennials have been using it for decades! But if you are not familiar with ghosting, let us help you understand it better. So, you are dating someone and they suddenly stop responding to you or cut you off completely. So, the act of cutting off someone abruptly without giving that person an explanation. And when that person tries to reconnect, they are completely ignored.

Also Read: Just been ghosted? Here are 10 effective ways of dealing with the hurt

7. Pink flag

You must have heard of red flags in a relationship, but what is a pink flag? Well, not far from a red flag but it is one that falls in the middle of the spectrum. So, think of pink flags as signs that you might not be in the best relationship. They are like warning signs of a relationship that you either talk yourself out of or overlook the issues until they become a danger to your relationship. These are the flags you sense but try to overlook them in order to give your relationship some time. But most of the time doesn’t turn out so well.

8. Situationship

In this time and age, non-committal relationships are very common that millennials probably remember as “friends with benefits”. So, situationship is basically a romantic relationship that exists but remains undefined. So, think of a casual and commitment-free relationship that you know would never be more than that. Talk about DTR!

9. Wokefishing

In the world of online dating, you can be anyone behind the screen! So, you pretend to have a strong political and social opinion just because the person you are attracted to is interested in talking about it. In simple terms, wokefishing is the act of pretending to have progressive thinking to ensnare potential partners. It is like catfishing, but it only involves political and social views.

10. Dry dating

As the name suggests, it is all about getting to know someone without being drunk! While alcohol makes the first meeting less stressful, without alcohol you might be able to know the other person with a clear mind. While it may seem difficult for some, others may find it better to decide whether you mesh well with your date or not. Plus, being sober is better if you are going on a blind date!

11. Zombieing

So, this Gen-Z dating term is a mixture of ghosting and fleabagging! Zombieing is when someone ghosts you first, then decides to come back into your life like nothing ever happened. Yes, pretty much like zombies – you diet and then you miraculously come back to life. So, the next time your ex pops up in your life without really giving you an explanation of why they did what they did – they are zombieing you!