It might still only be August, but apparently, the 2024 'cuffing season' has officially begun.
Should we really be surprised? I mean, this might be the coldest, rainiest and windiest UK summer on record.
Anyway, with the modern day relationship term - which is typically associated with the winter months, primarily Christmas time - now being thrown around as early as pre-September, some daters are questioning what it actually means.
When is 'cuffing season'?
As we say, the time of year which sees the most 'cuffing' (oi, get your mind out of the gutter), is usually between October and February.
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These being the coldest months of the year, it's common for loved-up longer-term couples to draw closer to one another as they relish the fireside cosiness of the pre-Christmas rush.
Is there anything more lush that nestling into that special someone, a hot cup of cocoa in hand, watching movies like Love Actually and The Holiday?
And naturally, singletons crave that same closeness, even if they're not very keen on a full-fledged relationship.
As such, some set out on the hunt for shorter-term romances - or 'situationships' - in order to make it through the dark and lonely nights of winter.
Enter 'cuffing season'...
What does it actually mean?
As we say, 'cuffing season' describes the act of getting yourself into a short-term fix just in time for the winter.
These 'flings' can vary in terms of seriousness.
It can either be asserted as a 'friends with benefits' type sitch from the get-go, or it could start as a festive hook-up and develop into something deeper.
More commonly, however, these courtships tend to end around late February, seeing many daters using Valentine's Day for one last night of passion/exchange of gifts/kiss goodbye, just in time to launch into a brand new hot girl summer.
But what's the appeal?
According to relationship therapist Jackie Golob - who specialises in sexual wellness - it's all about self-preservation.
"People get lonely during the holidays, and they're stressful, too," she explained to Very Well Mind.
"Having to show up and see other cousins, aunts, uncles, married folks, and other family members and friends ask all shameful questions of, ‘How are you still single?’ or ‘Why are you single?’"
And why on earth is it called that?
Apparently, the term 'cuffing' refers to the metaphorical handcuffs that are placed on couples when they take the plunge and commit to a serious relationship.
Essentially, they are locked down.
So, when singletons enter 'cuffing season', they're on the look out for a temporary, space-holding other-half to be 'cuffed to' under the warmer months roll back around.
Topics: Sex and Relationships, Christmas
Rhianna Benson