There are online buzz words, acronyms that you must be familiar with during the online dating process.

I encourage you to quickly Google any term or word you are not familiar with and know what you’re working with, before you respond to that handsome guy! 

My goal is to speed up the learning curve by offering insight into that testosterone-driven male mind! There are also a variety of interesting lifestyle choices that you may get asked about when talking to a guy online and I am not here to judge or promote, but to educate!

What does it mean to be: cushioned, submarined, stashed, breadcrumbed, orbited, zombied or kittenfished? 

Below is a sample of the glossary in He Said What?! The many relevant and interesting descriptors will give you “red flag” alerts when he is attempting to manipulate your emotions and trust…and not in a good way. 

Here’s a sample:

Breadcrumbing 

Like in the dark Hansel and Gretel fairy tale, leaving a trail of bread crumbs for you to follow. This is when someone leads a romantic interest on and keeps you enticed with small bits of attention here and there, whether it be a text, or social media “like.”     

Cushioning

When one or both people might begin chatting and flirting with other people to cushion the final break-up blow. Imagine test-driving a new car…before you have traded in the older version. Not cool!

Kittenfishing

When someone looks much younger in pictures than they do in real life, to the point where you doubt it’s the same person…you've been kittenfished. Similar to the term catfishing, but he presents an old “vintage” pic to reel you in initially.

I have never understood this approach. Why would I intentionally use old pics of myself and have the guy be disappointed when they meet me in person? Crazy…

Orbiting

This is letting a former fling know that you are still interested by continuing to “like” their social media posts. Easier than picking up the phone, texting or making a real effort! It is possible that the “orbiter” is looking for a re-connection and wants to keep the target in their sites.

Submarining

You are communicating with someone “on the regular,” then he goes silent. Then he pops up again out of the blue acting like nothing ever happened. Just like when a submarine goes under in a stealthy manner, then peeks up to see if the coast is clear.  Next to ghosting, this is ridiculously common (see my chapter: The “Mixed Signals” Guy) 

Stashing

Haven't been introduced to his friends and family? No photos of you on his social pages? He could be stashing you and the relationship to keep those underhanded options open. This is also known as pocketing. 

Zombieing

Imagine your favorite “B” zombie movie. It's when your ex comes back from the grave to say "hi.