Noun (informal) Pronunciation sub-muh-REE-ning IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˌsʌb.məˈriː.nɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of modern dating and digital communication. Definition Submarining refers to a dating behaviour in which a person disappears from communication for a period of time and later resurfaces
Noun (informal) Pronunciation HARD-bawl-ing IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈhɑːrdˌbɔːl.ɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of modern dating and relationship communication. Definition Hardballing refers to a dating approach in which a person clearly communicates their relationship goals, expectations, and boundaries early in the dating process.
Noun (informal) Pronunciation KOO-kee JAR-ing IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈkʊk.i ˈdʒɑːr.ɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of modern dating and digital communication. Definition Cookie-jarring refers to a dating behaviour in which a person keeps someone as a secondary romantic option while pursuing
Noun (informal) Pronunciation OR-bit-ing IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈɔːr.bɪ.tɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of modern dating and digital communication. Definition Orbiting refers to a pattern of digital behaviour in which a person who has ended or reduced direct communication continues to interact
Noun (informal) Pronunciation BEN-ching IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈbɛn.tʃɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of modern dating and digital communication. Definition Benching refers to a pattern of communication in which a person maintains intermittent contact with someone they are romantically interested in without actively pursuing
Noun (informal) Pronunciation ZOM-bee-ing IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈzɒm.bi.ɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of modern dating and digital communication. Definition Zombieing refers to a pattern of communication in which a person who previously ghosted—ending contact suddenly and without explanation—later reappears
Noun (informal) Pronunciation SOFT GOH-sting IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /sɒft ˈɡoʊstɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term used in discussions of modern dating and digital communication. Definition Soft ghosting refers to a pattern of communication in which a person gradually disengages from a conversation or relationship without explicitly ending contact.
Noun (informal) Pronunciation WEH-puh-nized in-KOM-pi-tens IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈwɛpənaɪzd ɪnˈkɒmpɪtəns/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term widely used in discussions of domestic labour, workplace dynamics, and relationship behaviour. Definition Weaponized incompetence refers to a pattern of behaviour in which a person deliberately performs a task
Noun (informal) Pronunciation GAS-lyte-ing IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈɡæsˌlaɪtɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Oxford English Dictionary entry. Definition Gaslighting refers to a form of psychological manipulation in which a person attempts to cause another individual to question their perception of reality, memory, or judgement. The behaviour may involve denying events
Noun (informal) Pronunciation FYOO-cher FAY-king IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈfjuːtʃər ˈfeɪkɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term widely used in modern discussions of relationships and dating dynamics. Definition Future faking refers to a pattern of making promises or plans about a shared future that the speaker does not genuinely
Noun (informal) Pronunciation luv BOM-ing IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ˈlʌv ˌbɒmɪŋ/ Lexicographic Status Culturally accepted term widely used in modern discussions of relationships and dating dynamics. Definition Love bombing refers to a pattern of overwhelming affection, attention, and praise directed toward someone—often at the beginning of a relationship—
Noun Pronunciation ih-MOH-shuh-nuhl LAY-bur IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) /ɪˈmoʊʃənəl ˈleɪbər/ Definition Emotional labour refers to the effort involved in managing one’s emotions, expressions, and behaviour in order to meet the emotional expectations of others. The term is often used to describe situations where a person