New Dating Slang “Shrekking” Isn’t What You Imagine
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or catching up on some new dating slang, you might have seen Shrekking and dating pop up.
At first glance, it sounds like something out of an animated fairytale but, in reality, it’s far from a happily-ever-after. This trend has quickly entered the modern romance lexicon, and people are divided on whether it’s a cheeky joke or a red flag.
So, what exactly is Shrekking, and why is it suddenly everywhere? Here’s Shrekking explained and the reason why it’s making waves in today’s dating scene.
“Shrekking” Defined: The Latest Dating Slang
To define Shrekking, you first have to look at its namesake: the beloved green ogre from DreamWorks’ Shrek.
The idea is that you date a person you’re not physically attracted to, thinking the relationship will feel safer or that the other person will treat you better in return.
It’s built on the assumption that lowering your standards for looks will automatically lead to more kindness and effort from your partner.
But, it doesn’t always work that way. The so-called “Shrek” in the scenario can still end up hurting you, leaving you just as heartbroken. In other words, the supposed safety net of Shrekking often turns out to have holes.
The Meaning Behind the Term
So, what’s the real Shrekking meaning? At its core, it reflects a mix of hope and frustration that many daters feel.
On one hand, it comes from the desire to find a partner who prioritizes emotional connection and respect over surface-level attraction. And on the other hand, it highlights how unpredictable human relationships can be, since attraction alone doesn’t guarantee happiness, and settling doesn’t guarantee security.
And, while the word may be new, the behavior itself isn’t. People have long given chances to partners they weren’t immediately drawn to, hoping that attraction might grow over time.
Sometimes it works out, but when someone dates “down,” assuming kindness will automatically come with it, that’s when Shrekking turns sour.
Why It’s Trending Now
Like most of today’s slang, we have social media to thank for it. TikTok videos and Twitter threads have amplified the term, with people sharing their own stories of the times they Shrekked or got Shrekked.
For many, it’s a relatable way to put words to an all-too-common experience of disappointment in dating.
But, the rise of the term also reflects broader trends in modern romance. Dating apps, endless swiping, and ghosting have all left people feeling cynical.
A word like Shrekking becomes shorthand for those frustrations, especially with younger generations who like to blend humor with honesty when talking about their love lives.
Should You Be Worried About Shrekking?
If you’re entering a relationship thinking it’ll be safe because you’ve lowered your expectations, you could be setting yourself up for greater disappointment. Real connection comes from respect, effort, and compatibility, not assumptions about looks.
That said, being open-minded about attraction isn’t a bad thing. Plenty of long-term couples started without fireworks and grew into deep love over time. The difference is whether you’re approaching it with genuine curiosity or with a belief that looks and kindness are always a trade-off.
Shrekking in dating is just the latest way people are trying to make sense of modern romance. The term may fade as fast as it arrived, but the feelings behind it are timeless: hope for kindness, fear of disappointment, and the search for something real.
Whether you laugh it off as another silly buzzword or take it as a cautionary tale, it’s a reminder that today’s love stories are never as simple as the fairy tales we grew up watching.