Gen Z · 1997–2012 · Dating breadcrumbing
Breadcrumbing
Sending occasional signs of interest to keep someone engaged without offering real commitment.
IN PLAIN ENGLISH“Giving tiny amounts of attention”
ALSO SEARCHED ASbreadcrumbs
THE VIBEExpressive, contextual, playful
USE IT INConversation, captions, group chats
USE IT LIKE THIS
“A monthly ‘hey’ is just breadcrumbing.”
WORD ORIGIN
Popularized through social media, music, memes and everyday youth speech.