Name: half-masting⁠ ⁠ Meaning: I know what you’re thinking – but it’s not that. At all. Instead, half-masting refers to a more nuanced approach to dating. We’re no longer doing that thing where our friends scream ‘dump them!’ at the first potential red flag or sign of imperfection – half-masting is all about taking a step back and thinking about what’s actually happening before making any rash decisions.⁠ ⁠ Origin: we’ve got none other than dating expert @AlixFox to thank for this one. If you’ve ever heard of ‘caspering’ – a kinder form of ghosting in which someone explains the reasons for their lack of interest before disappearing off into the distance – you’re already familiar with Fox’s penchant for wordplay. ⁠ ⁠ So, you’re telling me it really has nothing to do with anything else? No. Put the urban dictionary definition aside and focus – half-masting is pretty deep, all right? ⁠ ⁠ Read all about this new dating term at the link in our bio.