Breadcrumbing
what it means
Sporadic messages, occasional likes, the odd flirty reply. Enough to maintain hope, never enough to build anything.
Giving someone just enough attention to keep them interested, with no intention of committing.
the origin story
Relationship vocabulary that spread from around 2016, drawing on the Hansel and Gretel image of a trail of crumbs.
It named a behaviour that dating apps made effortless — maintaining low-cost contact with many people simultaneously. It's frequently discussed alongside "benching" and "cushioning", all describing versions of keeping options warm.
in the wild
He messages once every three weeks and never makes plans.
Breadcrumbing.
Why does he do it?
Because it costs him nothing.
how to use it
- Describing minimal effort designed to keep interest alive
- Dating conversations
- Recognising a pattern in someone's behaviour
- About someone who is genuinely busy
- Professionally
- As a diagnosis without a conversation
related terms
receipts
Community feedback
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