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This period signifies a ten-year milestone since the word “ghosting” hit the mainstream. Initially, the idea that someone could abruptly cease contact with a lover without explanation seemed like the peak of indignity. We were so innocent. In the decade since, seeking a partner has only become more perplexing – an commonly unsuccessful exercise in embarrassment that is increasingly defined by online jargon.

Zoomers, a generation who grew up during a social isolation crisis, a male identity crisis, and a widespread assault on the freedoms of females and the queer community, faces a infinitely more complex landscape than their Gen Y elders could ever fathom. And so their romantic lexicon has grown more elaborate and more unhinged, with expressions like “Ogre-ing” and “vine swinging” pushing the boundaries of your sanity.

The following list is a extensive guide to the phrases this generation is using to talk about love, intimacy and the search of both. To paraphrase one of the year’s most enduring memes, by the conclusion of this list you’ll ache to get back to God’s country – because wherever that is, it doesn’t have “wokefishing”.

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The Letter A

Realness – For gen Z, dating’s ultimate goal is presenting as your real, raw self. Good luck with that!

B

Feathered friend test – A TikTok trend connected to a test developed by relationship scientists, in which you bring up something trivial – for example, “A bird flew by earlier” – and note whether your date's response is inquisitive or dismissive. If they do not want to hear more about the bird, you two are headed for splitsville.

Independent partner – Gen Z’s rebuttal to the “manic pixie dream girl” trope of the early 2000s – but instead of having baby bangs, liking indie music and avoiding commitment, the black cat girlfriend puts herself first while exuding enigma and self-sufficiency. (She might still have that fringe.)

The Letter C

Support test – This refers to seeking out someone who aids you without being asked. If you entered a room, they would fetch a seat for you to take a load off.

Choremance – A outing where two people bond while doing chores, such as walking the dog or food shopping. In other words, how broke twentysomethings do budget-friendly dating in a post-“$5 beer and shot combo” world.

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

The Letter D

DINK – Two incomes, no children. Once a signifier of 80s yuppie affluence, it describes couples who choose against having children to focus on their own fulfillment. Or because they cannot afford to become parents.

The Letter E

Open communication – The antithesis of being guarded: embracing communication, honesty and vulnerability.

The Letter F

Flags

• Danger signals – Personal habits indicating a prospective partner is trouble. Such as calling their former partners crazy, poor tipping habits, a fondness for Woody Allen films, a nascent DJ career …
• Green flags – These actions affirm your choice to pursue a mate. For instance checking in to make sure you got home safely after a date, low screen time, owning a proper bed …
• Odd but harmless traits – These usually describe specific, mostly inoffensive idiosyncrasies. For instance being an enthusiastic ornithologist, still carrying around a biro in their wallet, paying rent in physical money …

Niche bonding – When you meet someone who’s just as enthusiastic about films about the second world war or DVD collecting or collaging or anything it may be, as you. Or, conversely, meeting someone who loathes the same stuff or people that you do (nothing builds intimacy faster than sharing a common enemy).

G

The band Geese – A band many young men is into.

Phantom reappearing – Someone who reappears into your life after a length of disappearing.

Eager-to-please partner – Someone who is friendly, accommodating and loyal. The uncommon partner who is beloved by all of his significant other's friends, and a black cat girlfriend's opposite.

Gooners – A primarily online community of men so obsessed with masturbation that they attempt extended sessions, deliberately delaying climax so they can continue as long as possible.

H

Gloomy heterosexuality – A mindset describing many women’s increasing despair toward straight relationships. It will come as no surprise to anyone who read the previous entry.

Manosphere archetype – An stereotype touted by online male influencer figures: a woman who is attractive, ever-comforting and happily domestic, who apparently has no ambitions of her own aside from pleasing her man partner. Perhaps now you’re beginning to understand the whole “pessimism” thing better?

The Letter I

Turn-offs – Random and usually everyday turnoffs that immediately kill any sense of interest.

“If he wanted to, he would" – Something to remember after you watch someone else receive an extremely sweet display.

The Letter J

Professions – These have not been this significant in the romance landscape since the greed-is-good era. For some women, a “banker” is the ideal catch: a preppy, Republican-coded guy who will be a provider (there’s a hit TikTok audio on the topic). Meanwhile the anti-capitalist crowd seek out partners in fields they see as being staffed by the more nurturing among us: healthcare workers, teachers or therapists.

The Letter K

Locking lips – This year, scientists learned that the kiss has existed for 16m years. But the era of locking lips may be waning since some Zoomers desire fewer intimate scenes in film, as they are having less sex themselves and do not find cinematic romance realistic.

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