12 Modern Dating Terms You Need to Know – But Don’t Need to Experience

Ok so you know about ghosting and catfishing… what about cushioning and zootie calls?!⁠

If you’re a single parent fairly recently back on the dating scene, chances are some things have changed since you were last out there in the wilds… it’s time to catch up with the lingo 😉

1. Zombie-ing

When an old connection reappears suddenly after a period of silence, it’s like they’ve risen from the dead… can be pretty scary 😉 When someone ghosts you, they should be out of your life for good, we say.

2. Cushioning

The process of preparing for a “comfortable” break up by getting the next person lined up to date. Ouch. 

3. DTR

“Define the relationship“. When you’re wondering “What are we?” you want to DTR. It’s the moment when things can become official… or end. Sometimes one person works hard to avoid that DTR moment, wanting to keep things casual.

4. Situationship

A romantic arrangement that exists before/without a DTR [‘defining the relationship’] conversation. This can be a good thing if you’re not looking for commitment but might be frustrating if you’re trying to figure out whether you’re actually dating/in a relationship/something else…

5. Kitten-fishing

A milder version of catfishing. You don’t pretend to be someone else but you present an unrealistic version of yourself. Maybe by using filters in your dating app pictures that change your appearance quite drastically, or bigging up your great personality, fantastic salary, or exciting hobbies. It’s not quite as blatant as its sister-term catfishing where you completely misrepresent yourself.

6. Love Bombing

When a new flame showers you with affection, only to become cold after you get committed.

7. Zootie call

When someone hits you up late night for a virtual hookup via zoom or other video call… feel free to tell them it’s past your bedtime 🙂

8. Daterview

What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Qualifications?! A date that feels more like a job interview – ever had one of those? Not a great vibe.

9. Zumping

This word came into being during lockdown and hopefully is not as common by now: it’s when you get dumped via zoom – not cool. 

10. Text Black Hole

Also known as a ‘Textual Relationship’ – Entering into a never ending texting conversation with someone you meet online and never actually meeting them in real life – please don’t do this, it’s so frustrating!

11. Breadcrumbing

When someone contacts you occasionally or gives you just enough signs to make you think they’re interested, but they ultimately flake out on you. It might be liking your story on Insta or leaving a comment on a photo and then going silent. Beware of breadcrumbers, this is emotional manipulation that is not going to leave you feeling good.

12. Slow Fade

The responses to your texts decrease in frequency over time until one day you don’t hear from them anymore. Goodbye and good riddance – we single parents don’t have time for that kind of messing around!

Hopefully this quick round up of dating behaviours was useful and you’ll manage to avoid most of these dating misdemeanours. And if you’re looking for more connection and less drama, make sure you’re signed up to Frolo Dating – a respectful dating zone just for single parents.

Frolo Dating for single parents is now live in most of the southern half of England, with plans to roll out in the rest of the UK and Ireland soon.

To find out more, head over to our blog post ‘Everything You Need to Know about Frolo Dating’