Dating and relationship slang for ESL learners

When learning a language, it’s always important to learn casual, everyday words and expressions. In fact, using slang is a fun way to connect with a culture and its people. But, be careful, with slang comes great responsibility. This is because you should always try to remember when to use the right word or expression for the right situation, and also, be sure to only use them among friends and peers.

Although each English-speaking country has its own set of slang words, many of the same slang is often used in different countries. This is especially so when it comes to dating and relationships. So, if you want to talk to your English-native friend about your dating or relationship experiences, the list below is perfect for you.

Ask out

To ask out someone is to ask them to join you for an activity, like going to dinner, with the hope that you may eventually have a romantic relationship. For example, “I really want to ask out Katie, but I get shy every time I see her.”

Babe

Babe comes from the word baby. It’s kind of a nickname that’s used by both men and women in a relationship when they speak to each other. For example, “Babe, do you want to stay home and watch a movie tonight?”

Bae

This slang term is primarily used in America and made popular by hip hop and R&B music. It comes from the word babe and means “before anyone else.” Bae is used when speaking about the person you’re in a relationship with. For example, “I know I spend all my time with Ashley, but she’s my bae.”

Break up

To break up means to end a romantic relationship. For example, “I’m going to break up with Matt because he doesn’t like my cat.”

Crushing

Crushing, or having a crush, is when you like someone romantically but you haven’t told them how you feel. For example, “Sarah has been crushing on Mark for six years.” Or, “I have a crush on my friend’s brother.”

Dating

This is when two people spend time together going on dates, which are activities such as going to the movies or to a restaurant, to see if they should start a relationship. For example, “Mike and I have been dating for three months. I’m meeting him for a date tonight.”

Dump

When one person ends a relationship. For example, “Mary didn’t leave her house for weeks after Sam dumped her.”

Ghosting

Ghosting is to suddenly end all communication with someone without giving any warning or explanation. For example, “I can’t believe Jessica ghosted me after five dates.”

Ex

An ex is someone who you used to be in a romantic relationship with. For example, “I hate that my ex and I have the same friends.”

Go out

This means spending time with someone who you are interested in being in a relationship with. For example, “They have been going out for two months.”

Hanging out

Spending time with someone to see if you like them or if you want to be in a relationship with them. It’s less serious than dating. For example, “John and I are just hanging out.”

Hit on

To hit on someone is to say something to them to show that you are interested in them sexually or romantically. For example, “Tim said he liked my hair but I know he was just hitting on me.”

Hook up

A hookup is a, usually short, casual sexual relationship. Hooking up with someone could mean anything from heavy kissing and touching to having sex. For example, “Sam and Annie always hook up when they meet at parties.”

Lead (someone) on

To lead someone on means to encourage their romantic interest in you but you don’t want to be in a relationship with them. For example, “I know now that Dave was just leading me on, he never wanted to be with me.”

Situationship

This is when you spend a lot of time with someone, dating casually, but neither person says what the relationship is or what they want from each other. For example, “Tim and I are in a situationship.”

Thirsty

Thirsty is used to describe someone who shows a lot of interest in someone who they want to either have a sexual or romantic relationship with. It’s not a positive term so you shouldn’t use it to describe yourself. It basically means being desperate. For example, “Amy is so thirsty. She will hook up with anyone who hits on her.”

Zombieing

This is when someone who ghosted you (disappeared without warning or explanation) suddenly starts communicating with you again like nothing happened — as if back from the dead. For example, “After ghosting me last year, Tim is now zombieing like he didn’t disappear for nine months.”

Using slang is a great step in language learning. It’s also an important factor in being able to communicate in a natural way. Of course, you won’t be using a term like zombieing in your everyday speech, but it’s still a fun slang to know and use if needed.

After the breakup

Ok, so most of us have been there…. the dreaded (and sometimes not so dreaded) breakup. For me, after the breakup is an essential part of a relationship – you can find out a lot about yourself in those next couple of days, weeks, months, and (unfortunately sometimes) years.

Now, how you handle a breakup can be dependent on what type of relationship you were in. For instance, with any relationship that lasted for a year or more and ended either abruptly or simply unresolved, you have the permission of the relationship gods to go a little crazy. This level of craziness, of course, is dependent on how long that relationship was and how much work and investment you’d put into it.

Here is an example. You were in a relationship for say, a year or two. Things were fine (not exactly romantic comedy fine but let’s be real – how many of them out there really are?) then he/she breaks it off and you’re left with unresolved feelings and heightened confusion. You are allowed, at most, three drunk calls/texts or even emails over a period of time, any more than that, and well, you’ll just come off as being needy, and no one really wants that. See, it is your right to be allowed those few spastic moments of letting things slip… you know it and he/she knows it, so feel free, and clamp down on the guilt that inevitably follows.

The next thing is to indulge. Indulge to your heart’s content. But never in sex or rebounds, no! Step away from that friend or ex who you occasionally have sex with, and do not start flirting up a storm with that guy/girl who you’d had your eye on for a while. That will do you no good.  The best thing for you to do is to deal with those unresolved feelings head-on. You’re sad, be sad! Whether it is watching corny romance movies or obsessively listening to heartbreak albums like Adele’s 21 and Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. The best thing you can do is deal. Even if it’s just talking to your friends over and over about the relationship and your feelings, then do it – a very important job of a friend is to lend an ear in these situations so take advantage. A true friend will always listen, even if all they want to do is just strangle you when you get annoying about it.

Another thing is to cry. Don’t be afraid to cry because you’re thinking he/she doesn’t deserve your tears. Let it out. One of the worst things that you could do is to not deal with those emotions and keep them bottled up. This behavior can lead to certain personality changes in your next relationship, and not in a good way, and you end up sabotaging what could possibly be a really good relationship. Also, do not hesitate to ask why things ended if you’re unclear. Knowing the issues of the past can mend those of the future.

So feel free to be angry, mopey, sad, depressed – hate the world if you must – as long as you deal with your feelings and not be ashamed of them. It may take some time, but it’s through time that we learn.

The theory of love

Love – such a tricky thing. Where does it come from? Why do we experience it? And, is it really the root of all evil? Ok, maybe that last question is a bit off, but love does hold a certain kind of je ne sais quoi that makes it easy to theorize until we’re personally satisfied.

We all have our stories and different approaches when it comes to love. Some try to avoid it at all costs, many search for it with an almost obsessive passion, and others, well, they just leave it to fate.

Scientists suffice that the brain produces its own substances that are involved in bonding. That it’s thanks to certain chemicals and hormones that your heart swoops. According to science, there are a variety of different neurochemical processes and external stimuli that have to click in the right complex and the right sequence for someone to fall in love. Plausible… possibly… But one cannot help to think that the beauty of love is not just thanks to neurotransmitters and chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. That’s not very romantic now, is it? And love is supposed to be this amazing, romantic thing, right?

That’s why many of us find it so easy to believe that we are destined to be with someone – that one mate for our soul. We meet, fall in love, and (for those who are a bit dreamy) live happily ever after. But is that really love? Is it really that beautiful romantic thing that so many of us crave to find with that one special person? Or, is it something of a more sinister nature? I mean, many have died because of love; and a heartbreak – oh a heartbreak can be the worst kind of pain. Still, we search – whether intentionally or not, we all have, at one point or another, been a slave to those four letters.

We cannot orchestrate falling in love with someone, either it’ll happen or it won’t. And many times we’re not even aware of that exact moment when it does happen. If you think you do, then you, my friend, are reaching because when you sit down and really think about it you will find that it’s not actually that exact instant when you fell in love that you remember, but it’s the epiphanic moment when you realized that it had, in fact, already happened.

Maybe it’s chemicals dancing up a storm in our brain, or maybe it’s a fateful connection on a soul level. Whatever it is, the bottom line remains – it’s called falling in love for a reason. Because once you’re in, baby, and I mean truly in, it can be one of the most heart-wrenching and agonizing experiences to get out of. But, hey, don’t let that deter you from enjoying it when it does happen. Love, despite the pain and suffering that goes along with it, does hold the absolute best feeling you’ll ever have in this lifetime – especially when the person that you’re in love with loves you back with just as much passion or more.

Threading to perfection

Eyebrow threading is a technique that involves the use of a doubled and twisted thin cotton thread, which is rolled over the area of the unwanted hair and plucked at the follicle level. Though this technique is a relatively new one in the Western world, it is an ancient hair removal practice, believed to have originated in South Asia and the Middle East, then becoming more popular in countries in the Far East, like China.

Eyebrow threading is a precise art form that, unlike shaving, plucking or waxing, does not leave hair remnants behind and only removes the hair and not the skin as there’s less contact with the skin than any of the other methods. So if you have sensitive skin, then this removal procedure is definitely best for you.

The technique makes it easier to create definition in your eyebrows because of the precision that is used to remove the hair. And despite this meticulousness, it’s a pretty quick procedure, which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and can last up to four weeks (the more you thread the longer it will last). The general consensus is that it’s a relatively painless procedure, well, less painful than plucking. Still, only you can state for sure how much ‘pain’ you can handle. Furthermore, there might be some puffiness or redness after the procedure (depending on your skin type) but a little hydrocortisone can go a long way!

Although not many people in the West are familiar with this hair removal technique, it is slowly but surely catching on. Keep in mind, however, that not everyone can execute this task, so be careful who you select to do this job – and allow your brows to articulate fabulousity.

Kimberley Kaye

There is a saying by Oscar Wilde that states, “No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.” This quote definitely rings true for Jamaican-born fine artist, Kimberley Kaye, who seems to be able to visualise and capture the real beauty that resides around us and gives us a taste of this through her captivating artwork.

According to Kimberley, it’s the beauty and tranquility that she had experienced in Jamaica growing up that fashioned her into the artist she is today. Her inspiration, which she said stems from her home and her people, has allowed for entrancing pieces focused mainly on landscapes, portraits, and seascapes. From her days of sitting in front of the TV at the age of five and drawing cartoon characters that danced across the screen, her passion for the arts consistently remained. However, it was not until 2003, after she had completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology that she decided to devote herself completely to art. She then organised her first solo exhibition one year later and sold out her second show the following year. Not through with her artistic scope, she later enrolled in the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and it was there that she discovered a love for figurative drawing, painting, and sculpting.

Kimberley’s work pretty much speaks for itself, which is evident in the detail of the aesthetic essence that is captured by her brushes and pencils, as well as the fact that since 2003 over 200 of her pieces have been sold to private art collectors both locally and internationally. The stories that are told by her artwork show that this artist leaves bits of herself in what she does  – and it is this untarnished ardor that she has that makes the true enjoyment of her work so effortless.

Sezi

SEZi’s performance may have been delayed but when she took the stage at Redbones, her voice and presence resonated with a wealth of emotion. And we have to admit – we became instantly enthralled. From the moment she stepped onto the stage she held the audience with an array of passionate words which were strung with longing and emotion – creating and weaving stories that could speak to the soul. Deep huh? We know, but not many local artists these days carry this level of conviction, so Stush is definitely excited to see what this new artist has in store for her future musical career.

SEZi has been developing her craft in the Kingston underground music scene, performing with bands such as Protoje (who was actually at Redbones in support of her EP debut, along with Tami Chynn), Raging Fyah, No-Maddz, and others. The soulful songstress grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, but was born here in Jamaica – stating that she chose to launch her EP here as an homage to her musical journey.

Her “Slow Burn” debut has each song reverberating with a heavy yearning, which captures the sentiments of the listeners and takes them on an emotional trip of that moment when they were slayed by love. The first song, “Say it Ain’t So” (a personal favourite), will have you rocking to the catchy reggae vibe that generates from the background beat, with her vocals complimenting the tune nicely.  Each song that follows has a different feel – from soulful and haunting to fast-paced and pop-like – with her remaining true to her Island roots.

SEZi is an artist who knows how to captivate her audience with conviction and emotion, and her live acoustic performance at Redbones was just that – captivating. This upcoming artist is definitely one to watch out for, and Stush cannot wait to hear more from this new Island gem!

Suzuki Celerio: Ride in assured comfort

If you’re looking for a car that suits your values and brings a little more enjoyment to your days, then the new Suzuki Swift is that car.

The Swift brings a contemporary flair to everyday driving, with a look that exudes elegance and power. Suzuki took the world’s sportiest cars and revamped them from the tire up to give you, the Swift, with high-level performance and a light environmental footprint.

Powered by a K14B 1.4-liter engine, the Swift has an outstanding power-to-weight ratio, brisk performance, low fuel consumption, and low emission. So while you’re driving, you’ll be doing the environment justice as well! The new Swift has an aggressive body design and an upgraded cockpit, which gives you sporty driving made easy, and a level of comfort that is unrivaled for a compact car. There’s a keyless push-start system, fog lights, a digital screen on the dash, adjustable front seats, and split-folding rear seats that let you expand the luggage space in various ways.

Its equipped safety features inspire confidence and peace of mind, with a protective cabin and airbags, as well as other structures that help to cushion impact forces. With a starting price of $2.4M (JMD) – sportier performance in a small car has arrived in a big way.

Carnival fashion do’s and don’ts

For women, Carnival is a time to let loose and revel in super short shorts and sequin outfits that some wouldn’t dare to be caught wearing in public at any other time. Mixing and matching neon colours and bright highlights, why not?! Let go of your creative juices and dive head-first into the endless possibilities. That said, one still needs to remain practical (to a certain extent) so they can truly revel in style. So here are a few basic Carnival fashion dos and don’ts that can make your Carnival experience even more fabulous.

Do’s

• Comfortable footwear is the way to go. Trekking sandals are great, as well as comfy shoes like sneakers or vans.
• Wear skin-toned underwear with sheer or thin tights. No one wants to be constantly worrying about the appearance of their underwear when trying to have some fun. Also, keep in mind ladies, wearing visible underwear under your tights is a definite no-no!
• Wear costume jewellery as opposed to the real stuff. It can easily become lost, or it can make you the target of the wrong type of attention.
• Waterproof makeup is the way to go! Don’t be caught with runny makeup – the raccoon look is no bueno.
• Accessorise with a rag, handkerchief, or flag. Show that you mean true Carnival business with your waving addition. On the side, if you get too sweaty you can always use it to dab your face – well, not with the flag, of course!

Don’ts

• Big hoops are a danger hazard. There are too many Carnival stories that end badly with big hoops, ladies. Be forewarned. If you want to wear dazzling earrings, try wearing a chandelier-type one – without any hanging hoops or dangling hooks!
• I know it can look pretty cute with your Carnival attire, but if you’re planning on getting wet – don’t wear those heavily fur-lined uggs. If they’re fake, when wet, they can get quite soggy and uncomfortable. However, if they’re the real deal, then you’re good to go as the water will less likely get inside.
• Leave the high heels/stilettos at home. It’s just flat-out impractical to wear heels at Carnival if you’re planning on getting down, especially if it’s outside on the soft ground. Unless you’re a masochist or have super feet – this is, for sure, advised against.
• I know I said to let your creative juices run wild, but don’t overdo it.  Fluorescent colour tones can be fun and cute, just don’t mix too many together – three solid colours, at most, is fine. None of us would want to give the impression of a circus runaway.
• This is something that is seen at pretty much every carnival event – if you’re a big girl, don’t wear a full bodysuit. Wear an outfit that can compliment your mounds and curves, not insult them!

Carnival is about enjoying the thrills of life and having fun. So this Carnival season, go out with the best accessory that a girl needs – style. ♥

No more hangovers

It’s Carnival time again! And with this time of year comes a lot of drinking and revelling, and uhm, drinking. So we thought we’d help you out in getting rid of those pesky hangovers and fully enjoy this season the way it’s supposed to – with booze and sweat! So here are some easy ways to avoid or get rid of a hangover.

Got Milk? – Milk is said to coat the stomach, so you will experience a reduction in the number of hangover symptoms the next morning. You know the saying, “drinking milk does the body good.”

Good ol’ H2O – Water is the other drink to chug when you’re out partying with your peeps. Drink one glass of H2O for every alcoholic beverage you consume, and then finish off the night by downing a couple glasses before bed.

Banana Wonders – Eat a banana the morning after you drink to help reduce or prevent a hangover. The fruit contains potassium, which gives you electrolytes. People lose electrolytes after downing several drinks.

Have an Egg – Eggs are a good choice when it’s time for breakfast the next morning. You may not feel like eating but try to eat a few bites. Eggs contain cysteine, which helps your body break down what causes the hangover.

Finger lickin’ Fried Food – Eating fried food is one way to prevent a hangover. The fat in the greasy food helps your body to absorb the alcohol you drink by sticking to the stomach lining longer.

Avoid Caffeine – Caffeinated drinks such as coffee and soda should be avoided because they cause dehydration, which you don’t want to be when drinking alcohol.

Have a Multivitamin – Take a multivitamin the morning after downing those drinks and it will help in reducing or even getting rid of the hangover symptoms. What nutrients alcohol takes away from you, multivitamins will give you back.

Drink Some Gatorade – Gatorade contains electrolytes, which are important for hydration. There’s a reason why athletes chug this stuff and it’ll help you stay hydrated while you drink and dance the night away.

Take B Vitamins – B vitamins are really good for stopping a hangover before it even starts. They help to relieve and reduce hangover symptoms by replacing the nutrients alcohol takes away. Also, before you head out, make sure to only take the recommended dosage.

Munch on a Pickle – Try eating some pickles before you hit the streets. Pickles contain salt, which your body needs when you drink. Add a couple to a burger, place some fries next to it, and chow down. The fries will help your body absorb the liquor.

Avoid Mixing Drinks – Avoid mixing your alcoholic drinks. Decide what you want and stick to it – your body has trouble processing more than one alcoholic drink at a time.

Have a Glass of OJ – Fruit sugar (fructose) is said to increase your energy. Drink a glass the next morning to help speed up the rate that your body gets rid of toxins. The vitamins found in fruit drinks help to get your body back in shape.

Old Wives Tale – People in the Mediterranean say that drinking a spoonful of olive oil will prevent a hangover. Instead of just drinking it though, you can drizzle some olive oil onto a salad or dip a piece of bread in it to help prevent a hangover from forming.

So, now when you head out to your carnival thrills, don’t worry about how you’re going to get to work or class the next morning, just heed these hangover remedies and you’ll be good to go!

A guide to partying like a true carnival pro

Not all of us are Carnival pros – it can actually take a few tries to get it right. So we thought we’d combine some common mistakes and create a guide for our Carnival rookies. This way, you can avoid suffering from blunders faced by previous Carnivalites, and carouse without worry!

Carnival and the Sun

If you’re going to be revelling in the sun, then throw some sunscreen in your bag and use it. No matter how dark your skin is, you can still get burnt from those harmful UV rays. Also, don’t forget that water is your best friend. With the sun, alcohol consumption, and jumping around, you might not even realise that dehydration has crept up on you. So replenish with some water once in a while – you wouldn’t want to end up gasping for air on the ground (it happens!).

Vex Money

Have you ever heard of vex money? Well ladies, make sure you pack a little extra cash so you can hold your head high and get a taxi to go home when you’re ready – without having to depend on anyone.

Safety First

If you’re female, don’t go to the bathrooms alone. Try going in pairs, and don’t accept drinks from random strangers unless it’s a serving party official and you can see your drink being made. Additionally, neither sex should carry around large sums of money, visible wallets, or change purses.

Speaking of sex, it can get pretty easy to get worked up with all the sexual energy floating around at this time, so make sure to have your own condom and use it if you’ll be copulating – Carnival babies is not a myth – neither is STDs!

Think ahead

Bring a small messenger bag or a pouch (worn on the front) where you can put your cash and valuables in. You can also secure your cell phone in a small clear plastic bag to keep it dry – you’ll still have the option to use it through the clear bag. If your phone is prepaid, then either put on some credit or bring an extra phone card. Don’t take it for granted that there’ll be a vendor around with available credit.

Alcohol Consumption

If you’re planning on doing a lot of drinking, make sure to eat before you start. You wouldn’t want to prematurely become drunk before you can truly enjoy the event, would you? Also, know your limit and don’t go over it. If you don’t know your limit, then when you get to that point where your thoughts and actions are not of your usual self, and you start to feel a bit disoriented – stop – have some food and water, and take a breather from the booze.

During the Carnival season, there are many unexpected things that can occur, some we can predict others we can’t. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to use your better judgment and not become a Carnival victim.