Dating has always been complicated, but in the age of social media and instant messaging, relationships have developed an entire new vocabulary. These expressions help us describe behaviours that existed before but have become more common — and more visible — in digital communication. Understanding these terms can help people recognize unhealthy patterns and communicate their needs more clearly.
Below are some of the most widely used terms today.
Ghosting
Ghosting happens when someone suddenly stops replying and disappears without explanation. It’s one of the most common — and painful — dating behaviours of the digital era.
Breadcrumbing
Breadcrumbing is when someone gives you tiny bits of attention to keep you interested, but never makes any real effort. They leave a “trail of breadcrumbs,” just enough to maintain your curiosity.
Benching
Benching means keeping someone “on the side” while focusing on other romantic options. The bencher doesn't commit but doesn’t fully let go either.
Orbiting
Orbiting is when someone stops communicating with you but continues watching your stories, liking your posts, or following your online activity. They “orbit” your life without directly participating in it.
Zombieing
Zombieing occurs when someone who previously ghosted you suddenly comes back, “rising from the dead” with a message like “Hey, how have you been?” as if nothing happened.
Love-Bombing
Love-bombing is when someone gives you excessive affection, compliments, and attention very quickly in order to gain trust or control. It feels intense at first, but often becomes manipulative.
Cushioning
Cushioning is when a person in a relationship keeps backups — “cushions” — by flirting with other people just in case the relationship ends.
Dry Texting
Dry texting is when someone replies with very short, boring messages that show little interest: “ok,” “lol,” “yeah,” “k.” It often signals a lack of enthusiasm.
Haunting
Haunting is similar to orbiting, but subtler: someone who left your life occasionally interacts with your posts or quietly returns to remind you they exist.
Situationship
A situationship is a relationship that feels romantic but has no clear labels, no defined commitment, and no real direction. It’s “something,” but nobody knows what exactly.
Catfishing
Catfishing is when someone creates a fake identity online to deceive another person emotionally or romantically.
Why these terms matter
These expressions aren’t just slang — they reflect how digital communication has changed the way we connect. Naming these behaviours helps people:
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Identify emotional manipulation
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Set boundaries
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Communicate expectations
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Avoid unhealthy dynamics
They also show the creativity of modern language and how vocabulary expands to describe new experiences.
Final Thoughts
Modern dating may feel like a minefield, but understanding this new vocabulary helps us talk openly about our experiences and make healthier choices. Whether we’re dealing with ghosting, cushioning, or a situationship, the most important values remain the same: honesty, clarity, and mutual respect.