the ick
A sudden feeling of dislike or loss of attraction toward someone.
By Cal Hewitt, Founder at Web Leveling · Researched from public sources ·
What it actually means
The ick is an abrupt romantic turn-off, often caused by a minor action or a gut reaction. It is common in dating talk but can apply beyond romance.
See the quick definition in the the ick dictionary entry.
Where it came from
Ick has long been an interjection of disgust. The dating-noun use is credited to Ally McBeal in 1998, then appeared in Sex and the City before Love Island revived it in the 2010s.
No single person is credited, the origin is commonly reported.
Where it's popular
Dating talk, Love Island fandom, and social media.
It is a personal reaction, not proof someone did wrong.
How it caught on
- 1998Ally McBeal used the dating noun.
- 2003Sex and the City used the phrase.
- 2017 onwardLove Island helped renew popularity.
How to use it
“The baby voice gave me the ick.”
A sudden turn-off.
“Once he got the ick, the date was done.”
Dating use.
Common mix-ups
An ick is not automatically a serious red flag.
Do you actually know it?
Ick rerun
0/31. The ick is:
2. Which show is tied to its dating use?
3. An ick is always a red flag:
Related slang
Questions people ask
What does the ick mean?
A sudden loss of attraction.
Where did the ick come from?
The dating use is credited to Ally McBeal in 1998.
Is every ick a red flag?
No. It can be a trivial personal reaction.
The current meme use is much newer than the 1998 TV reference.
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