Cuffing season
Cuffing season is typically defined as the time of year when single people are thought to actively search for short-term romantic partners to spend the colder months with, typically (in Northern Hemisphere locations) from October through March, culminating with Valentine's Day.[1] The slang term "cuff" alludes to handcuffs and means metaphorically to attach oneself to another individual.[1]
Cuffing season is said to commence at the start of autumn when the weather starts to get cold.[2] Lack of sunlight, outdoor recreation, and warmth presumably leads some single people to become lonely and desperate for companionship.[1] In addition, being in a relationship in the winter months allows for companionship during holidays.[3][4] Some writers suggest that the rise of dating apps like Tinder further contributed to the phenomenon,[1] and caution that engaging in relationships with such a superficial basis may lead to emotional drama in the long term.[5] According to one popular dating advice website, two out of three cuffed partnerships end by June.[6]
Scientific basis
[edit source]There is no evidence that cuffing season has a biological basis; the evidence for the phenomenon "seems to be mostly anecdotal, and some experts are skeptical" that it even exists.[2] Others contend that there may be hormonal changes during winter that relate to the phenomenon,[4][6] and that colder temperatures and darker days may affect melatonin and serotonin levels, which theoretically could affect a person's mood in a way that leads to cuffing.[7] According to Facebook data, people often change their relationship status to "in a relationship" between October and February, and a significant number change it back to "single" in March.[2]
Origin of the term
[edit source]The exact origins of the term "cuffing" is not entirely clear.[8] It is thought the term "cuff" originated from the African-American vernacular as a verb meaning to "hook up".[1] Urban Dictionary defined the term "cuffing season" in 2011.[2][9] Some sources suggest that it was first used by college newspapers in 2011.[1][8] In subsequent years, the term gained popularity on social media during the fall of 2013 and fall of 2016.[8] The term gained popularity in college jargon and was later used in the title of a 2013 song by rapper Fabolous, which helped introduce it to the general public.[1]
See also
[edit source]References
[edit source]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "When Is 'Cuffing Season?'". Merriam-Webster. 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
- 1 2 3 4 Brabaw, Kasandra (2018-09-26). "Is Cuffing Season Real Or Just Fake News?". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
- ↑ Hafner, Josh (2017-11-13). "Cuffing season: Best places to spark a relationship built not to last". USA TODAY – Breaking News and Latest News Today. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
- 1 2 "What Is Cuffing Season And When Does It Start? Experts Explain". Women's Health. 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
- ↑ Ewens, Hannah; Garland, Emma (2016-10-14). "The VICE Guide to Cuffing". VICE. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
- 1 2 "Combination of High Winter Hormone Levels and Scarcity of Dates Make Cuffing Season Real: Girls Chase Study Uncovers Top Reasons Why 89% of Men Admit to Cuffing". ProQuest. 2021-10-11. ProQuest 2580701951. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
- ↑ "8 Strategies For Dating During Cuffing Season". Cleveland Clinic. 2022-10-17. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
- 1 2 3 "Cuffing". What does cuffing mean?. 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
- ↑ "What Is Cuffing Season? Here's the Meaning of the Relationship Term". Men's Health. 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
