As the colder weather approaches and the nights draw in, single people are longing for somebody to cozy up by the fire with. Apparently it's a whole thing.
If you've ever seen the film Holidate, it's kind of like that.
What is cuffing season?
Cuffing season, as defined by Urban Dictionary, is a period of time "during the Fall and Winter months, when people who would normally rather be single or promiscuous find themselves along with the rest of the world desiring to be "Cuffed" or tied down by a serious relationship. The cold weather and prolonged indoor activity causes singles to become lonely and desperate to be cuffed."
October is officially the start of 'cuffing season,' when singles are going through what's been deemed the 'try-outs;' they'll find potential partners to cozy up with over December, the official cuffing season.
According to a cuffing season schedule circulating on Instagram (below), seasoned cuffers (if that's what you call people who know how to do this), begin 'scouting' in August, when they'll begin to plan ahead for the dark, isolated winter period and spot potential talent.
In September, 'drafting' begins, when a more solid idea of who you might like to chirpse this winter begins to formulate.
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Then 'try-outs' in October, 'pre-season' in November before the main event in December (no, not Christmas). Cuffing season ends on Valentine's Day in February, unless you decide your new squeeze is too good to let go of.
"As we slide into Cuffing Season, over half (51%) of Gen Z are hoping to get into a relationship and nearly a fifth (17%) are looking to casually date, as the nights draw in," revealed dating app Tinder.
"While temperatures are set to drop, dates at home will be on the rise, with 18-24 year olds admitting that they fancy having a date at home after just four dates."
Nobody really knows when cuffing season officially came about, but all we can say is that in 2021, especially as we all emerge from a year of lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions, cuffing season is likely to be in full swing this winter.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: dating and relationships, No-Article-Matching, Tinder