Dating in the 21st century has seen the rise of dating apps and a whole new language. While the olden days involved acronyms like GSOH (Good Sense of Humour) and WLTM (Would Like To Meet), young single people today have invented and popularized new acronyms such as ENM (Ethical Non-Monogamy), ONS (One Night Stand), and NSA (No Strings Attached). These acronyms, perceived indecipherable by some, might be significantly shortening the reach of singles in their search for love, according to a dating expert.
According to Ofcom, more than one in 10 UK adults use online dating services, with Tinder being the most popular app with 2.49 million adult users. Along with the rise of swiping, prompts, and ghosting comes a new language that many young single people around the world use to describe their wants and needs. However, this can leave some confused, as many of these acronyms have become so prevalent that they are considered common knowledge.
Jacob Lucas, a dating coach from Wiltshire, claims that acronyms tend to complicate matters, leading people to “shorten their reach” in finding an ideal match. However, these acronyms are a “green light” for those who are interested in specific types of sexual encounters or kink communities. Therefore, acronyms, when used, act as an effective signal to hit a target, especially in the dating world.
For some, acronyms can be off-putting and isolating. PE teacher Matt Knibb says that he has problems with FWB (Friends With Benefits) and ONS simply because they don’t align with what he is looking for. Jordan Digby, a mechanical engineer from Gloucester, says he is “super confused” with most acronyms he encounters. Jo Tucker, from Somerset, finds acronyms “mind-boggling,” and although she has matched with some people without entirely deciphering the acronyms, she states that they do complicate dating app etiquette.
With all the language changes that dating websites have introduced, meeting someone in person remains the ideal situation. For Jo, dating these days feels like the Wild West, and she just wants to meet someone “relatively normal in a pub,” so she can observe everything—from their shoes to their appearance
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