Cruising terms and what they mean
Written by Julien Lenaz, lead developer of cruush.
Words about meeting
- Cruising: looking for someone to meet, usually for sex or a casual connection, usually soon.
- Hookup: a casual sexual meeting, often arranged the same day.
- Discreet: keeping it private, whether because of work, family or just preference.
- DL (down low): not out, and keeping any queer sex or relationships hidden.
- Host: someone who has a place to meet. Traveling means going to the other person.
Words about people
- Masc and femme: how someone presents. People use them for themselves, and they do not always match gender.
- Butch and stud: terms many lesbian and queer women use for a masculine presentation.
- Top, bottom and vers: roles in sex. Vers means versatile, comfortable with either.
- Twink, bear, otter and cub: body type terms common among gay and bi men.
Words about how people behave
- Ghosting: someone stops replying without saying why.
- Catfishing: a profile that uses someone else's photos or a made-up identity.
- Flaking: agreeing to meet and then not showing up.
Words about health
- STI test: a screening for sexually transmitted infections.
- PrEP: a daily or periodic medication that lowers the chance of getting HIV. A clinician can tell you whether it suits you.
Words on cruush
- A cruush: a light way to say you are interested.
- A mutual cruush: when the other person sends one back.
- Ghost Mode: showing a decoy position on the map. It has nothing to do with ghosting.
- Passing through: being on the map as someone who is not from here.