Internet
paperclipping
What does paperclipping mean?
The repeating, cyclical nature of the behavior, named after Clippy the Microsoft Word assistant who kept popping up uninvited.
"It's not breadcrumbing, it's full paperclipping, same loop every season."
Origin
Coined in 2018 and named after Clippy, the persistent Microsoft Office paperclip assistant that kept reappearing. Popularised through dating media and meme accounts.
Frequently asked questions
What does paperclipping mean in dating?
It's when someone who ghosted you cycles back with a small message just to revive contact, then ghosts again. The reference is Clippy the Office assistant who wouldn't stay gone.
How is paperclipping different from breadcrumbing?
Breadcrumbing is steady small attention to keep you hooked. Paperclipping is the same person vanishing and reappearing in a repeating cycle.
Why do people paperclip?
Often boredom, ego, or wanting to confirm you're still an option. It rarely means they actually want to commit.
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