Decoding Dating: Acronym Overload in Online Profiles

Image Credit, John Tuesday

Ladies, let’s talk about online dating bios that read like a secret code only decipherable with a Rosetta Stone and a PhD in Millennial Slang. If your profile is crammed with so many acronyms that potential matches spend more time on Google than on your profile, we need to chat.

Picture this: a potential match stumbles across your profile and is met with a barrage of letters that look like they’ve been pulled from a Scrabble board. It reads something like this: “Hey there! I’m a DTF, GSOH, ENTP looking for a LTR with someone who’s into FWB, but no ONS. Also, must love BBWs and be cool with BDSM. No PPIs, TYVM!” Did you lose them at “DTF”? Are they scratching their heads at “ENTP”? Are they questioning their life choices by the time they hit “PPIs”? Let’s break it down.

So, what do these acronyms even mean? DTF (Down To Flirt): Sure, we know what it really means, but let’s keep it classy. GSOH (Good Sense of Humor): Classic and clear. ENTP (Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving): Great if they’re into Myers-Briggs, confusing if they’re not. LTR (Long-Term Relationship): Not too bad, but starting to sound like a business contract. FWB (Friends With Benefits): Proceed with caution. ONS (One-Night Stand): Direct, but maybe too much info. BBWs (Big Beautiful Women): Loud and proud! BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, Masochism): Hope they brought their safe word. PPIs (Pee-Pee Inspectors): This is where we lose them completely. TYVM (Thank You Very Much): Polite, but still confusing in context.

Acronyms can be a fun, quick way to express yourself, but let’s not turn your profile into a puzzle. One or two well-known acronyms are fine. More than that, and you’re writing in Morse code. Stick to acronyms most people know, like “LOL” or “BTW.” If it needs a Google search, it’s probably too much. If it’s obscure but important, spell it out first. “I’m looking for a long-term relationship (LTR).” See? Simple! Use acronyms in a sentence that provides context. “I love a good laugh (GSOH) and am up for adventures.” Remember, your bio should invite conversation, not a Google marathon.

Your online dating profile is your first impression—make it count! While acronyms can be cute and save space, overloading your bio with them is a sure way to send matches running to the nearest search engine instead of your inbox. Keep it light, keep it clear, and keep it funny. After all, you’re looking for love, not a cryptographic challenge!

So next time you’re updating your profile, ask yourself: “Is this clear?” If you think you need a secret decoder ring to understand it, so will everyone else. Happy dating, and may your acronyms be ever in your favor!