Relationship
What does Benching mean?
Leaving someone on the bench: minimum contact while waiting for a better starter.
Definition
Benching takes the sports metaphor. There is a squad, there is a reserve. The person on the bench gets enough practice not to request a transfer — a message, a spaced date — and never the shirt. Neighbour to breadcrumbing and cushioning, it describes affective portfolio management.
Origin
English bench, dating vocabulary of the 2010s.
History
Relationship columns and dating Twitter fixed the gerund.
How it emerged
The app made the squad visible; the bench needed a name.
Usage examples
This is not dating, it is benching.
Leaving the bench means ending it, not waiting to be called up.
Translations
- pt benching / banco
- en benching
- es benching / banquillo
Synonyms
- the reserve bench
- affective plan B
- second string
Related terms
Questions
What is benching?
Keeping someone available in the background, with minimum contact.
Difference from breadcrumbing?
Crumbs can be an ego habit. The bench is squad management: a starter is expected.
Origin?
The sports metaphor in digital dating English.