Ghosting

When someone disappears from a relationship like a ghost...

"Ghosting" is a term that has been around since at least 2011. It means breaking off a relationship (often an intimate relationship) by ceasing all communication and contact with the former partner without any apparent warning or justification. You disappear, like a ghost. It also includes ignoring any attempts by the person ghosted to reach out or communicate.

It was especially popular in the context of online relationships and dating which are easier relationships to shut down. It was included in the Collins English Dictionary in 2015.

A few ghostly offshoots of the term are ghostbusting, Marleying and Caspering.



The term "ghostbusting" is when you force someone to reply - as a Ghostbuster forces a ghost into a trap.



"Marleying" comes from the ghostly character Marley from Dickens' A Christmas Carol and is used for the specific situation of when an ex gets in touch with you at Christmas or New Year's Eve out of nowhere.



 “Caspering” has its origin with the comic book friendly ghost, Casper). This is friendlier kind of ghosting when instead of just totally ignoring someone, you’re honest about how you feel, and let them down gently before disappearing from their lives.

These are just four words that have emerged around the newest world of dating.