Caspering - meaning and definition
Alsofriendly ghostingcasper ghostingkind ghostingfriendly ghost
Definition
Ending a dating connection kindly, with a brief honest message, instead of disappearing without a word. Named after Casper the friendly ghost.
At a glance
- The considerate alternative to ghosting.
- A short, honest message ends the connection instead of silence.
- Named after Casper the friendly ghost.
- Most people prefer a clear answer to wondering what happened.
In detail
Caspering is the considerate alternative to ghosting. Rather than going silent, the person sends a short message saying they are not feeling a match and wishing the other person well, then steps back.
It can feel awkward to write, but most people prefer a clear answer to wondering what happened.
In a sentence
- She caspered me with a really kind message, and honestly I appreciated it.
- Not feeling it after two dates, so I'm caspering rather than ghosting.
Where the word comes from
The name plays on Casper, the friendly ghost of mid-20th-century cartoons, contrasting with ghosting. It spread through dating articles in the late 2010s.
Not to be confused with
- Ghosting
Ghosting is ending contact without explanation.
Common questions
What should a caspering message say?
Keep it short and kind: thank them for their time, say you do not feel the connection you are looking for, and wish them well. There is no need to list reasons.