Gen Z's slangs are, quite frankly, really amazeballs! Boujee, GOAT, No cap – they're all giving our language a whole new rizz, and we’re here for it. It adds that extra bit of sparkle to our convos.

As Valentine’s day now comes closer, we thought - why not get into an overview of the dating slang, and add this little rizz to our relationship terminology. In a non-lowkey way, let’s get into the list of 10 dating terms!

1. Cookie-jarring :

"This might be the one, we're about to be #relationshipgoals." But hold up, this is only to soon realize you're just one tasty cookie in their whole dating bakery. You’re in a jar on a shelf somewhere in the back, labeled as ‘Plan B’. The front shelf still has a lot of space.They're out there, swiping left and right, looking for some upgrade.

Swipe smarty, darling. Aunt Sassy will not have you settle for just being someone else’s cookie. You’re the whole goddamn cake bbby (or 7 cakes together)!

2. Wokefishing :

I met this guy on Bumble, who spoke to me about women rights endlessly. I was super excited to see him. Fast forward to the 4th date, and bam! He drops a rape joke. But hey, it was just a joke, right?

No, I was wokefished. You meet someone who seems like a walking poster for social justice, an advocate for all the right causes, everything that you so strongly believe in. But here's the truthbomb – it's all a masquerade, a game of virtue-baiting. He probably saw ‘a raging feminist’ in my bio and played the social justice superhero card.

Ain't nobody got time for a sociopolitical catfish. Before you commit, make sure they're not just talkin' the talk but walkin' the walk on the causes they said they’re passionate about.

3. Caspering :

Say hi to ghosting's more amiable cousin. Or to put this dating slang in another way, a friendly ghost! The responses to texts become less timely, more vague, and plans hover in the air without ever materializing. It's like your partner gracefully doing the moonwalk out of your messages.

Is it better than ghosting, because at least it eases you into it? Or is it even worse, because it keeps you lingering, just unsure of what’s happening? You tell me! I’m still figuring this one out.

4. DTR (Define the relationship) : 

You're sharing memes, sipping coffee, curating playlists – it's all there. Your friends are asking if there’s something going on, but you’re not quite sure. You want to answer them, but tbh, you don't know either.

Time for the DTR talk – defining the relationship. It's the moment when you put all your cards on the table and ask the million-dollar question: "What are we?" No more playing guessing games or decoding texts. It's time to spill your feelings, spill the tea, and see how you wanna take it ahead.

So, grab your courage, take a deep breath, and dive into it when you think the time is correct. In the end, isn’t clarity the ultimate relationship glow-up?

5. Open hearted Masculinity :

This trend is my absolute fave, and all my girls are shouting it from the rooftops. We're rewriting the whole script on what it means to be a man in today's world. Our generation's out here having deep discussions about masculinity, gender roles, and that 'ken-energy.'

It warms our hearts to see guys saying, "Screw you, patriarchy!" and fully embracing vulnerability. They're expressing what they actually feel, and we are here for it. We're talking masculinity in fashion, media, music, cinema – you name it. Riding the wave of this genuine, open-hearted manhood, and it's giving us all the feels.

6. Pocketing :

Pocketing is like dating a secret agent, very much like how you see in the movies. Noone can know about you.

This is when your date keeps your existence locked away in their private vault.  Gram feed? Solo. Friends? Never heard your name. In a world where couples shout their love from the digital rooftops, this behavior is a little sus.

Maybe it's because they're playing the field, dodging commitment, or just not ready to let the world in on your romance. Regardless of the reason, being tucked away like a secret isn't anyone's idea of a great relationship.

If you’re stuck in something like this, ask the tough questions. You deserve to be the star of a romance movie, not a mysterious cameo.

7. Pink flags :

Red, green and beige have all had their moments. We need more colours, because the kind of people and behavior we see around is all so different!

So, what are pink flags now? These are the things that make you go, "Hmm," the whispers of concern that you may push away initially but start to pay attention to over time. "Can we work through this, or is it time for a closer look?"

Trust your instincts here. Have open communication, and figure out whether these gentle warnings can be addressed or if they might blossom into a full blown red parade.

8. Breadcrumbing :

It’s the term we can all say, “been there, done that” for. We’re hit with an occasional flirty comment on the gram or an out of the blue ‘I’m thinking of you’ call. It's like being on a rollercoaster of emotions, with peaks of excitement but down-turns of confusion.

Enter ‘Hansel and Gretelling’, the Gen Z edition, where your love interest leaves behind a trail of digital breadcrumbs, making you feel like a romantic feast is round the corner. But spoiler alert: there's no feast, just the illusion of one. It’ll keep you always in line, waiting for the next breadcrumb to come your away. Take a u-turn friendssssss, don’t eat it.

9. Cobwebbing :

Cobwebbing is about ditching your ex’s phone numbers, messages, and maybe even that sentimental old t-shirt that's been collecting dust in your closet. Holding on to the past can be like lugging around useless baggage, and it sometimes keeps you from fully focusing on the present and jumping into new opportunities.

You're not only decluttering your space; you're decluttering your mind and heart. Time to be open to meeting someone new without the shadows of past relationships lingering in the background. No useless baggage from the past, pls

10. Val-core Dating : 

My sister, Urvi, will never date someone who has been unkind to any staff member at a restaurant. Another friend, Anisha, really looks at the opinions her potential partner has about casteism.

In a world that is falling apart by the minute, we all have that atleast one cause that we deeply care about. And it’s only fair that we hope our partner cares about this world as much as we do. And personally, I think that it’s not just acceptable and fair, but also super awesome! All my props to you when you’re raising your relationship bar. Looking for Valentine's day ideas to elevate your relationship even further? Check out our comprehensive Valentine's day guide for inspiration!

How many of these dating trends have you experienced? What's your favourite? And, most importantly, which gen z dating terms are you now gonna slyly slide into your BFFs convos? Aunt Sassy is waiting to hear all about it! Now that you know about new dating terms you must also check out our Valentine's day gift boxes for your special one.

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About the Author 

Hemali (she/her) is an explorer of the realms of sexuality, intimacy, and dating. She talks endlessly about the evolving landscape of feminist narratives on the big screen and makes you reanalyze the portrayal of women in mainstream culture. If you're looking for alternative conversation starters, take your pick from: Biryani, Art Fairs, or Spoken Word Poetry.