Rizz named Word of the Year: The 7 slang terms dominating the dating world

According to the Oxford University Press, “rizz” is defined as style, charm, or attractiveness; the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner.

In this day and age, there is now an extensive range of vocabulary to describe the experience of pursuing love.

As it’s officially cuffing season, a term which refers to people coupling up to get through the cold months, the team at Preply have provided an A-Z guide of the modern dating buzzwords and what they mean.

Have you fallen victim (or are you the perpetrator) of any of the below?
Benching

It’s very common in today’s dating world for people to be in multiple situationships, but is there a term for this?
Introducing ‘benching’ – when someone categorises the other as their Plan B or C while they test out the waters for a better catch.

Cookie jarring
‘Cookie jarring’ is when someone wants to have a relationship with you, but purely because you are just a security blanket or backup plan to them.
These individuals see your current status as being just a fling and having no long-term potential.

Eco-dumping

In the age of a climate crisis, ‘eco-dumping’ is most certainly a thing.

Sure, two individuals may get along in terms of sharing the same hobbies and sexual attraction, but displaying no passion for the environment may be a massive red flag for some. This is where the art of eco-dumping comes in.

Orbiting

Do you have that certain follower (or followers) who don’t speak to you anymore, but still keep up to date with your social media posts by liking or simply watching your content?

Well, there is a special action for this – ‘orbiting’. In the dating world, people who ‘orbit’ tend to be the people who have previously ghosted you.

Pocketing

Contrary to the classic romantic fairy tales, pocketing is most certainly on the rise in the modern dating world.

To ‘pocket’ someone is to give the impression that you are only available when it’s convenient to you and your schedule.

As well as this, despite months of seeing each other, a pocketer would hands down be reluctant to introduce you to their family or friends.
Side-barring

In the realm of hideous first dates lies the act of ‘side-barring’. This refers to when an individual, who despite being out with someone, is constantly on their phone and displays no sense of presence.

Zombie-ing

You may have already encountered the ghosting phenomenon, where an individual who you’ve had contact with seems to have vanished, but have you heard of ‘zombie-ing’?
Someone who has ‘zombied’ you is someone who has previously left your life, but has suddenly reappeared and acted as if nothing has happened.