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The current period represents a ten-year milestone since the phrase “ghosting” entered the common lexicon. Back then, the idea that someone could instantly end all contact with a partner without a word seemed like the pinnacle of rudeness. Our innocence was charming. In the decade since, navigating toward a partner has only become more bewildering – an frequently unsuccessful endeavor in humiliation that is increasingly pigeonholed by online slang.

Generation Z, a generation who matured during a loneliness epidemic, a masculinity crisis, and a widespread attack on the rights of females and the LGBTQ+ community, faces a significantly more chaotic landscape than their millennial predecessors could ever envision. And so their dating lexicon has grown more elaborate and more unhinged, with terms like “Ogre-ing” and “vine swinging” testing the boundaries of your mental fortitude.

The following list is a detailed breakdown to the terms this generation is using to navigate romance, intimacy and the search of both. To echo one of the year’s most popular online sayings, by the conclusion of this guide you’ll long to get back to a bygone era – because wherever that is, it lacks “wokefishing”.

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The Letter A

Genuineness – For gen Z, romance's gold standard is presenting as your true, raw self. Good luck with that!

B

Bird theory – A online phenomenon connected to a methodology developed by relationship scientists, in which you point out something insignificant – for example, “A bird flew by earlier” – and pay attention to whether your partner’s reaction is inquisitive or brushed off. If they do not want to hear more about the bird, you two are headed for splitsville.

Mysterious girlfriend – Zoomers' response to the “manic pixie dream girl” archetype of the early 2000s – but instead of having short fringe, liking indie music and eschewing commitment, the mysterious partner puts herself first while radiating mystery and independence. (She might still have that fringe.)

The Letter C

Support test – This refers to choosing someone who helps you proactively. If you entered a room, they would pull up a seat for you to sit down.

Choremance – A outing where two people bond while running errands, such as walking the dog or grocery shopping. In other words, how broke young adults do affordable dating in a post-“$5 beer and shot combo” world.

Crashing out – Having a breakdown when you feel overwhelmed by life. You can lose it over a crush or split, spilling all of your unreciprocated emotions.

D

DINK – Dual income no kids. Once a signifier of 80s young urban professional excess, it describes couples who choose against having children to prioritize their own happiness. Or because they find it financially impossible to become parents.

The Letter E

Emotional vibe coding – The opposite of being guarded: utilizing communication, honesty and vulnerability.

The Letter F

Flags

• Red flags – Behavioral quirks signaling a potential partner is bad news. Such as calling their exes crazy, subpar tipping habits, a fondness for controversial director films, a burgeoning DJ career …
• Positive signs – These traits affirm your decision to pursue a mate. For instance checking in to make sure you got home safely after a date, minimal phone use, having a proper bed …
• Neutral quirks – These typically describe niche, largely harmless quirks. Such as being an keen birdwatcher, still carrying around a pen in their wallet, paying rent in physical money …

Freak matching – When you meet someone who’s just as obsessive about films about the WWII or DVD collecting or art or whatever it may be, as you. Or, conversely, finding someone who despises the same stuff or individuals that you do (few things fosters intimacy faster than having a nemesis).

The Letter G

The band Geese – A musical group a typical Zoomer guy likes.

Phantom reappearing – Someone who pops back into your life after a period of disappearing.

Loyal boyfriend – Someone who is friendly, eager to please and loyal. The uncommon boyfriend who is adored by all of his partner’s friends, and a mysterious partner's counterpart.

Prolonged session enthusiasts – A primarily online subculture of men so preoccupied with self-pleasure that they attempt extended sessions, deliberately postponing climax so they can go on as long as possible.

H

Gloomy heterosexuality – A phenomenon describing many women’s increasing pessimism toward heterosexual relationships. It will come as little surprise to anyone who read the previous entry.

Traditional ideal woman – An archetype promoted by online male influencer figures: a woman who is sexually desirable, nurturing and contentedly domestic, who apparently has no ambitions of her own aside from satisfying her man partner. Perhaps now you’re beginning to grasp the whole “heterofatalism” thing better?

The Letter I

Turn-offs – Arbitrary and usually everyday repulsions that instantly extinguish any sense of interest.

“He would if he cared" – Something to remember after you watch someone else get an incredibly thoughtful display.

The Letter J

Jobs – These have not been this crucial in the dating scene since the greed-is-good era. For some women, a “finance bro” is the ultimate partner: a fleece-vest-wearing, Republican-coded guy who will provide (there’s a popular TikTok audio on the topic). Meanwhile the left-leaning crowd prefer partners in fields they see as being staffed by the more nurturing among us: nurses, teachers or counselors.

K

Locking lips – This year, scientists learned that the kiss has existed for 16m years. But the days of kissing may be waning since some Zoomers desire fewer sex scenes in movies, as they are having reduced intimacy themselves and do not find cinematic intimacy believable.

Enhanced profile crafting – Mild deception. Or, not exactly being dishonest about who you are, but maybe using outdated (better) pictures of yourself on a online profile, or making your career sound more important than it is. Also known as {