Internet
breadcrumb
What does breadcrumb mean?
An individual message or bit of attention dropped to keep someone interested without real intent to commit.
"That 3 a.m. 'miss you' was just another breadcrumb."
Origin
The singular of 'breadcrumbing', from the Hansel and Gretel trail image.
Frequently asked questions
What does breadcrumb mean in dating?
It's a single message or bit of attention dropped to keep someone interested without any real intent to commit.
How is it related to breadcrumbing?
A breadcrumb is one instance of the wider behavior 'breadcrumbing', where someone leaves a trail of small attentions to string a person along.
Where does the term come from?
It draws on the Hansel and Gretel image of leaving a trail of breadcrumbs, here to keep someone following without a destination.
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