Cuffing Season
what it means
Roughly October to February. The theory is half joke and half observation — dating app activity genuinely does rise in winter.
The autumn and winter months when people seek relationships to see them through the cold.
the origin story
AAVE, from "handcuffed" meaning tied to someone; entered mainstream vocabulary through Twitter around 2011-2013.
Dating apps have published data showing real seasonal patterns in matching activity, which gave the joke some empirical backing. "Uncuffing season" in spring is the corresponding term for relationships that don't survive the weather improving.
in the wild
Everyone's suddenly on the apps again.
Cuffing season started.
Three of my friends broke up in the same week.
Uncuffing season. Right on schedule.
how to use it
- Joking about seasonal dating patterns
- Casual conversation in autumn and winter
- Discussing dating app data
- As a real explanation for someone's relationship
- Professionally
- Dismissively about a genuine relationship
related terms
receipts
Community feedback
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