Decoding the True Meaning Behind Popular Phrases Used on Dating Sites
Yeah, I've Heard That Line Before
Online dating is a very popular way to meet a new special person in your life. It doesn't matter if you are looking for a soulmate or a hookup, chances are, you can find someone on the same page with you. Of course, this means you've got to weed through a lot of really "interesting" people and online profiles. After going through profile after profile, some phrases appear more often than others. Some phrases are so overused, they've become annoying online dating cliches.
If you are new to the online dating scene, you might need a little help trying to decode the true meaning behind many popular phrases you will encounter online. You also don't want to become an online dating cliché either. It is OK to use a phrase or two in your own profile, but you want to avoid looking like everyone else. I am here to help you determine the true meaning behind many phrases you will see while looking at profiles on dating websites.
Phrase Used On Site... Then the Actual Meaning
"I like to stay drama-free. I am looking for someone who also wants to be drama-free."
Real meaning: I have two restraining orders out on my exes. I am looking for someone who is not a psycho this time.
"I live with two roommates. They are really great and I've known them all my life."
Real meaning: I live with my parents.
"I am a few pounds overweight."
Real meaning: I am 50 pounds overweight.
"I am a little overweight."
Real meaning: I am 100 pounds overweight.
"I am very curvy."
Real meaning: I am a female and I am overweight.
"What you see is what you get."
Real meaning: I am not changing for you and I am brutally honest. I might make you cry.
"I am trying to find myself."
Real meaning: I don't have a job.
"I love to workout. Fitness is important to me."
Real meaning: I am skinny and you'd better be, too.
"I love to curl up on the couch and watch a movie with my girl."
Real meaning: I can't afford to take you out to dinner.
"I like to have fun."
Real meaning: I like to party. I hope you enjoy drunken binges.
"I enjoy going to bars or clubs."
Real meaning: I like to party hardcore. I want someone that is willing to hold my hair when I vomit.
"I have a shaved head."
Real meaning: I am going bald, but I am pretending this look is a fashion choice.
"Looking for someone stable who has her life together."
Real meaning: I sure hope you have a job. Bonus points if you don't live with your parents.
"I am really good looking and in great shape."
Real meaning: I am conceited.
"I work long hours at a job I love."
Real meaning: You will always come in second. I will spend all my time at the office.
"Let's get together for drinks."
Real meaning: I am hoping to get you drunk. I sure hope you put out on the first date.
"Looking for someone open-minded."
Real meaning: This either means A) I have a sex dungeon in the basement, or B) I like threesomes.
"I would like to keep this relationship private."
Real meaning: I am married. Don't tell my spouse about us.
"Must like children."
Real meaning: I have 6 kids and still want more. I hope you are fertile!
"Must like cats."
Real meaning: I am the cat lady. I am filming for Animal Hoarders next week.
"I like dining out."
Real meaning: I've run out of ideas for this profile. Please just date me.
"Looking for someone serious about a relationship."
Real meaning: I am not picky. I am getting old and I want to try this marriage thing as soon as possible.
"I am tired of women that play games."
Real meaning: I email women on this site all the time and creep them out. I can't figure out why everyone keeps blocking me.
"The perfect date to me is going out for dinner, then maybe drinks, or a little dessert. We can see where it goes from there."
Real meaning: I sure hope you put out after I spend so much money on food and drinks.
"I am pretty sarcastic."
Real meaning: I am pretty rude, but I'll try to pass that off as humor.
"My friends tell me I am good looking, nice, and fun to be around."
Real meaning: I am pretending to be modest, but I believe I am awesome.
"I am really laid back."
Real meaning: If dating you means I have to get off the couch a lot or deal with any drama, I am not going to be very happy.
Comments
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on August 18, 2015:
I am glad you liked it. I can't even begin to tell you how many times guys told me they had roommates, and then I find out it is their parents, grandparents, etc. Thanks for checking out my hub!
Jelly Baby from United Kingdom on August 05, 2015:
""I live with two roommates. They are really great and I've known them all my life." Real meaning: I live with my parents."
I literally fell of my chair with laughing so hard at this one! I think they should post this on every dating site. Would make it so much easier to weed out the idiots. Great hub!
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on May 10, 2013:
Thanks so much! I am happy you enjoyed it.
Amanda Jones on May 10, 2013:
Voted up! Funny, interesting and useful!
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on April 02, 2013:
Thanks so much! I am happy you enjoyed my hub.
Derrick Bennett on April 01, 2013:
This is very funny, but also true. love reading this hub.
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on January 14, 2013:
Thank you both so much for your comments. I am happy you enjoyed the hub.
MartieCoetser - Oh, I like that message. I might state something like that in my profile. I am about to give up on Match and switch back to POF, so I need some new ideas for my profile. Thanks!
teaches12345 - Thanks for the vote up and for sharing! I have learned the hard way that any guy that continues to stress how much he enjoys curling up at home is never going to go out on a real date again once the first "curling up" incident occurs. :-)
Dianna Mendez on January 14, 2013:
"I love to curl up on the couch and watch a movie with my girl."
Real meaning: I can't afford to take you out to dinner.
This is a real code for the guy's preference to stay home and forego any exciting adventure out of the house. Good advice on these sayings. Love your humor added and still laughing from some of your thoughts. Voted up and shared.
Martie Coetser from South Africa on January 14, 2013:
Hilarious!
LMAO for: "Looking for someone serious about a relationship." Real meaning: I am not picky. I am getting old and I want to try this marriage thing as soon as possible.
Marriage thing! Lol!
After I've graduated, my profile message changed to: "If you don't live at the most half an hour away from me, and if you cannot meet me for an interview at The Palace and pay the bill of whatever we eat and drink, DON'T stay out of my inbox! And even if you qualify, I am not into online chatting. Let me look into your eyes while you tell me who you are. I am a journalist researching online dating."
And so I've met my BF 10 months ago. Exactly the kind of friend I was looking for.
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on January 14, 2013:
Trust me, you are very lucky if you have never tried online dating. I am back to being feed up with it again. I was on the date from hell this past weekend. Thanks for the votes and the comment!
Sherri from Southeastern Pennsylvania on January 14, 2013:
Very cool! I've never tried online dating, but if I do I think I'll be well-prepared for staying out of at least some kinds of trouble. :) Up, funny, interesting.
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on June 18, 2012:
Thanks so much! Yes, there are some interesting phrases used on all dating sites. It is funny how cliched some it all seems. I've obviously been using dating sites for just too long. Thanks for the comment!
tmfisher on June 18, 2012:
Haha this was brilliant! I've often had to 'decode' various phrases on Plenty of Fish and this article is exactly right.
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on April 05, 2012:
Hahaha... maybe I do need to date the guys I would least expect to like. Some men are just outright scary on those dating sites. I am logged into Plenty of Fish right now! Thanks for sharing your experience.
aethelthryth from American Southwest on April 05, 2012:
I did not take the man who became my husband very seriously at first, because his profile said he was open-minded and an artist. I expected I was meeting a wacko, who would be my fourth in a row of first-and-last dates. As it turned out, he is not close-minded, and he draws pictures. Go figure.
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on February 12, 2012:
Thanks so much! Yes, I've been using online dating sites off and on for years now, and even though I joke about these things, I honestly believe most of them are true. There are some scary people out there!
Bella Nina from USA on February 12, 2012:
Super cute hub. I bet this is so close to the truth that it's not only scary . . . it's actually all true!!!
Voted up!!
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on February 12, 2012:
Thanks, Sheila Lee. I am glad you liked it. Thanks for the votes!
Sheila Lee from Canada on February 12, 2012:
Jeannie, this was awesome! Kudos, girl! Loved it! I voted up!
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on February 04, 2012:
Thanks, Angie. I think I've been using dating sites for too long now!
Angie Jardine from Cornwall, land of the eternally youthful mind ... on February 04, 2012:
This was really funny, Jeannie ... and soooo true!
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on January 11, 2012:
Thanks for the votes and the comments! Online dating is such a challenge. It is especially frustrating for someone like me who is not a fan of dating in the first place. First dates are such a pain!
Stephanie Henkel from USA on January 10, 2012:
Wow, I'm glad that I'm not planning to use on-line dating services! Even with your helpful on-line dating decoder in hand, it sounds like a challenge! :) Thanks for a fun hub - as usual! Voted up, funny and useful!
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on January 08, 2012:
I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for dropping by!
Alecia Murphy from Wilmington, North Carolina on January 08, 2012:
Very funny! Great job!
Jeannie Marie (author) from Baltimore, MD on January 08, 2012:
Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed it. It is kind of like an online dating dictionary.
shuck72 from Seattle on January 08, 2012:
This was really clever, liked it and voted up.
