Catfish
Someone pretending to be a completely different person online, usually with stolen photos and a sob story to match. Term blew up after that 2010 documentary and MTV show of the same name, and now it covers everyone from romance scammers to people using ten-year-old Tinder pics. The internet's favourite villain and sadly still extremely common in 2026.
Janna
·
United States
Just recorded
"Delulu, spelled D-E-L-U-L-U, is basically short for delusional and is typically used in like the relationship manner where, you know, it's like, it's a funny way. It's not a like, like proper like institutional delusion. It's basically picking up like random little hints that you're having from someone you're talking to and going like, oh my god, yeah, he's into me or she's into me or they're into me. An example would be, okay, so Brian asked for my notes, notes last time. And I saw him writing notes in class. So pretty sure he's into me. I'm just a Lulu."
Delulu
Short for delusional, but make it cute. It started as a fandom thing, calling yourself delulu when you genuinely believed your favourite celebrity was going to marry you. Then TikTok grabbed it and ran. Now it's used for anyone who's got wildly unrealistic expectations about literally anything, from relationships to job prospects. The internet's favourite way of saying you're dreaming with your eyes open.
Ghosting
Means cutting someone off by vanishing mid-connection, no replies, no explanation, just silence. It’s most common in dating, but it also happens with mates, jobs, and group chats when someone can’t be bothered with an awkward conversation. The name’s literal enough, you disappear like a ghost and leave the other person staring at their phone, wondering what they did wrong.
Janna
·
United States
Just recorded
"A red flag is the complete opposite of a green flag. It's when someone does something that's not that good, you know, especially in a relationship manner, it might make you not want to be with that person, toxic behavior, one might say. An example would be, girl, when we went out to dinner last night, he literally snapped at the waiter. He was so rude and treated the waiter like he was below him. That's such a red flag."
Red flag
A warning sign in a person or situation that tells you something is badly wrong and you should pay attention. Borrowed from racing and safety contexts into everyday relationship language, where it now means any behaviour or detail that signals trouble ahead. Social media turned it into an obsession, with people cataloguing red flags in potential partners with the thoroughness of a detective.
Rizz
Natural charisma and charm, especially when it comes to attracting people. If you got rizz, you do not even have to try, people just fall for you. Believed to come from the word charisma, shortened and streetified. You either got it or you do not. No amount of practice can fully replace the real thing.
Janna
·
United States
Just recorded
"Situationship. This is basically kind of a romantic relationship, but there's no labels. You're not really, you know, in a proper romantic relationship where you can, you know, be labeled as a boyfriend or a girlfriend. It's somewhere in between. Basically confusing for all parties. An example would be, oh my god, this situation with Brian is super confusing. Yesterday he took me out on a beautiful date, we had so much fun, but today he hasn't even texted me."
Situationship
A romantic connection that is more than friends but not quite a relationship. No labels, no commitment, maximum emotional confusion. The term exploded in the 2020s as dating culture got increasingly commitment-shy. You do everything a couple does without any of the security or definition. It is cozy until someone catches feelings harder than the other.
Janna
·
United States
Just recorded
"Self-launch is the opposite, not exact opposite, but yeah, pretty much. It's when you're announcing something, but not full-on, in a low-key way, I would say. You're basically inferring, you know, whatever you're announcing. You're not straight-up saying it, so for example, let's say someone wants to self-launch their relationship. They wouldn't post a picture of them and their significant other. They maybe might post a date they were on, with maybe just a figure showing, or not even the full person showing. An example would be, oh my god, I can't wait to self-launch my relationship with David tomorrow."
Soft launch
The subtle introduction of a new romantic partner on social media before making things official. A background appearance in a story, a half-visible hand in a photo, just enough for your followers to notice without having to commit to a formal announcement. It is strategic, slightly calculated, and very much a product of the Instagram age of dating.
Swipe
To swipe something is to nick it, usually in a quick, cheeky way, like pinching a mate’s chips when they look away. Thanks to Tinder and copycat apps, swipe also means the little thumb move that decides who you fancy and who you’re binning off. Context does all the heavy lifting, otherwise you sound like a proper menace.
Snog
Means a proper, full-on kiss, the sort with hands everywhere and zero shame, not a quick peck on the cheek. Used for anyone properly making out, from awkward teens at a school disco to grown-ups outside the chippy acting like they’ve booked the whole pavement. Common as chips, and a bit funnier than just saying kiss.