New Terms Reflect TikTok and Pop Culture's
Impact on Dating in 2025
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dating app Plenty of Fish today
revealed its eighth annual list of dating trends, providing singles
with new lingo to describe their evolving dating experiences.
Following 2024's 'Rizz-Colored Glasses' and 'Canon-Bailing,' this
year's list introduces the latest trends poised to shape the dating
landscape, and will join Plenty of Fish's existing index of over 60
dating behaviors.
Plenty of Fish surveyed nearly 6,000 U.S. members, and found
that TikTok and social media continue to heavily influence our
cultural zeitgeist. Smut is having its moment both on-screen and in
written word (ahem, a certain gossipy, Regency-era binger might
ring some bells?)––leaving singles fantasizing about their own
dating lives and "Smutten" with a potential match. Meanwhile,
"Yap-Trapping" has plagued half of daters, who found themselves
struggling to get a word in edgewise with chatty companions who
dominate the discussion.
2025 Dating Trends include:
- Smutten (smuh-tin): When singles fantasize about the
storylines of romantic TV shows, movies, or books becoming their
reality. 33% of singles have fantasized about these ideals; even
higher for women at 40% vs. 28% of men. Well-written romance
novels and steamy shows are all the rage right now. People are
craving escapism, but also, the characters can be decent models for
partners. And who doesn't love the popular tropes often portrayed -
friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, forbidden love!
- Freak Matching (frēk ma-ching): Connecting
with someone over shared quirks, eccentricities, unique interests,
or general "weirdness" – which 39% of singles have
experienced. How does that song go? 'If you keep up with me,
I'll keep on coming back.' Thanks, Tinashe, for addressing the fact
that we're all just looking for somebody that's going to match our
freak.
- Yap-Trapping (yap-trap-ping): We're not here to call out
the yappers. We're referring to when someone only talks about
themselves, and doesn't make the effort to balance the
give-and-take in a conversation—completely inun-dating their
partners (pun intended!). In fact, almost half (49%) of singles
have been on a date or dated someone who never asked them any
personal questions.
- StICKing (stik-ing): Looking past an initial
"ick" and pursuing someone romantically despite any superficial
oddities (e.g. style of dress, hairstyle, etc.) when you wouldn't
normally. Viewing "icks" as total deal breakers is so last year.
36% of daters have chosen to stICK instead of running from the
ick––hello, emotional maturity!
- Grim Keeping (grim kēp-ing): Bonding with someone over
your "darker side" or shared dislikes. It's essentially coming
together over the things that rub you the wrong way, to deepen the
connection - and 28% have bonded over being grim.
"This year's dating trends showcase how our romantic lives can
take cues from pop culture, and it's always fun to see how in turn,
they can help validate shared dating experiences," says
Rachel DeAlto, Dating Expert at
Plenty of Fish. "Beyond igniting that internal spark, lighthearted
trends like 'Smutten' can offer singles a renewed sense of hope and
excitement for their dating lives, while 'Freak Matching' serves as
a gentle nudge towards embracing our individuality and
authenticity. When we put less pressure on ourselves, dating
becomes more about having fun and enjoying new experiences - and we
want more of that for singles!"
Read more about dating trends and other dating-related advice on
the Plenty of Fish Blog. Join the conversation on social by
following Plenty of Fish on Instagram, X, and Facebook, using
#DatingTrends and #POFDictionary.
Dating Trends Survey Methodology
Nearly 6,000 Plenty
of Fish users were polled online in August
2024. Participants were 18+, based in the United States.
About Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish is a dating app
for singles who believe in a more laid-back approach to dating, one
where they get to know the heart of someone. Our mission is to
connect the most singles by building low-pressure experiences where
the right people take notice. Unlike many dating offerings today,
Plenty of Fish prioritizes creating an authentic, welcoming
environment that allows real singles to discover what they're
looking for - and simply date better! Plenty of Fish was the first
dating app to ban "face filters" in all profile pics and the first
Match Group dating app to introduce live streaming. Plenty of Fish
is a Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH) company and is one of the largest
global online dating companies, available in 11 languages and more
than 20 countries.
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SOURCE Plenty of Fish
