My New Words Learned From 2025

1. A May–December romance – Refers to a relationship with a significant age gap, where one partner is much older and the other much younger. The term reflects the contrast between youthful “May” and mature “December.”
2. Banksying – Slowly withdrawing emotionally from a partner without telling them. By the time you end things, they’re left shocked and confused.
3. Bed rotting – A Gen Z trend where individuals spend extended time in bed not for sleep or illness, but for passive activities like scrolling or watching content.

4. Body Grief – Name the often-overlooked mourning process that comes with living in a changing body.

5. Chameleoning – A relationship behavior where individuals excessively adapt their identity, opinions, and interests to match their partner’s.

6. Digisexuality – Defined as a sexual experience that depends on the use of an advanced technology.

7. Cozymaxxing – New self-care trend on TikTok focused on creating a comforting, stress-free environment.

8. Fear of a Better Option (FOBO) – A psychological phenomenon where individuals hesitate to commit to a choice due to the belief that a better alternative is always available.

9. Femoral intercourse – Also called intercrural/ thigh sex: sliding the penis along the outside of the vulva/ between the thighs (no penetration) to stimulate the clitoral area .

10. Floodlighting – The dating trend where one partner shares intensely personal, often emotionally charged details early in the relationship, creating a sense of deep connection from the get-go.

11. Job hugging – The act of holding onto your current job for dear life because the alternative is staring into the void of unemployment for weeks or, maybe more realistically at this rate, months.

12. Kidulting – Experiences that let adults act like children are booming.

13. Quiet cracking – when employees keep showing up and doing their jobs but silently unravel inside—struggling with stress, disengagement, or burnout while appearing outwardly fine.

14. Manosphere – An online network of blogs, forums, YouTube channels, and communities centered on men’s issues—but often in ways that are hostile toward women.

15. Menopausal load – To describe the complex, cumulative burden women carry during menopause — physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.

16. Micro-feminism – Small but impactful actions women take to support each other in the workplace.

17. Nudifying apps – Tools that “undress” any photo and turn it into pornographic deepfakes. There is a call foro them to be banned worldwide.

18. Past Year Love Review (PYLR) – To build better dating habits – PYLR involves reflecting on past relationship patterns using an 80/20 approach—identifying what worked and what didn’t through calendars, messages, photos, and screen time stats.

19. Popcorn brain – When your mind becomes overstimulated and constantly jumps between thoughts due to dopamine from rapid-fire content. Heavy short-form media use can worsen attention and mood, so limiting phone time and practicing focus exercises helps.

20. Retroactive jealousy – The obsessive comparison to a partner’s past relationships, often fueled by insecurity and the need for reassurance.

21. Reverse catfishing – Intentionally using less flattering photos of yourself on dating apps so matches focus on personality instead of looks.

22. Sharenting – When parents share photos, videos, or personal information about their children online, usually on social media.

23. Shrekking – Dating someone you’re not attracted to in hopes they’ll treat you better. But you may still end up getting hurt.

24. Shutdown ritual — A consistent routine signaling “work is over, now rest begins.

25. Social prescribing – It’s about stepping out & engaging in activities like nature walks , art , or volunteering to boost your well-being. Social connections and joy can be powerful medicine!

26. Symbiosexuality – Refers to being attracted to people who are already in a relationship. The term comes from research by Dr. Sally W. Johnston, published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

27. Task masking – Also known as “looking busy” or “performative productivity,” is a trend where employees exaggerate their work efforts to give the impression of being productive, even when they aren’t.

28. Taxi Cab Theory – Claims that a person’s readiness to commit in a relationship is less about who they are with, and more about when they are ready.

29. Gooning – Prolonged, trance-like solo arousal, frequently with continuous porn; currently one of the most searched sex trends online.

30. Throning – Dating someone mainly to elevate your social status. The focus is clout, not emotional connection.

31. Weekend marriage – As the name suggests, weekend marriages (週末婚 or ‘shumatsukon’), also known as ‘separation marriages’, refer to couples who only meet one or two days on the weekend.

32. Workslop – AI-generated work content that masquerades as good work, but lacks the substance to meaningfully advance a given task.

33. Karezza – Slow, affectionate, often orgasm-de-emphasised style of sex prioritising emotional connection.

34. Zombie-ing – Happens when someone who ghosted you suddenly reappears as if nothing happened. Their unexpected return can feel confusing and frustrating, leaving you questioning their intentions.

About Dr. Martha Tara Lee