Name: Shrekking.
Age: The book featuring Shrek was released in 1990. The film adaptation made its debut in 2001 (leading to a significant franchise). The verb form emerged later.
I Shrek, you Shrek, he/she Shreks? Commonly utilized in gerund form: Shrekking. It has also been noted in passive constructions using the past participle, for instance: I have been Shrekked.
Have you been Shrekked? No! Well, I’m unsure. Perhaps …
At which moment it seems appropriate to explore the definition of Shrekking. It’s a dating phenomenon popular among Gen Zs.
Going out with a lime green ogre with a Scottish dialect and tubular ears? No. Well, possibly. Sort of …
More details, please. It refers to dating individuals you perceive as beneath your aesthetic standards.
And what is the purpose of Shrekking? The predominant rationale is that after experiencing considerable heartbreak, dating someone perceived as “lesser” may provide a greater sense of control and reduce the risk of emotional pain.
A concept that implies people can be ranked on a scale of attractiveness, while also suggesting that relationships are primarily about power dynamics. Well, certainly. Obviously! However, I can suggest a different – perhaps healthier – rationale for Shrekking.
If you don’t mind. It’s possible that Gen Zs are starting to value authenticity over curated visual ideals, perhaps even reevaluating the essence of attractiveness.
Yeah, right. I have data to back it up.
Go ahead. Tinder’s Future of Dating report revealed that singles emphasized traits in potential partners. Loyalty (79%), respect (78%), and open-mindedness (61%) ranked higher than appearance (56%).
Any quotes? Tinder’s in-house relationship expert, Devyn Simone, stated: “When you concentrate on who someone truly is, as opposed to solely their appearance, you create an opportunity for a deeper connection.”
Now we’re engaging: unlock that door for me! Although the entirety of Shrekking still feels somewhat dehumanizing. Jenna Bush Hager concurs.
Daughter of Dubya, granddaughter of Bush Sr? Also a journalist in her own right. She remarked that Shrekking “seems like a harsh trend to me” on her show Today with Jenna & Friends. “It’s when someone dates a partner they consider less attractive in hopes they will be treated better.” She also pointed out it was unfair to Shrek himself, whom she called “so handsome.”
True. And “to get Shrekked”, what does that signify then? That occurs when you date someone perceived as lesser but face rejection or mistreatment from them. The ultimate embarrassment!
Do say: “Well, it gets me out of the swamp … ”
Don’t say: “So when are you going to set me up with Donkey?”
