Internet
stashing
What does stashing mean?
Describes the hidden partner's experience of feeling like a secret.
"Being stashed makes you feel like a side option even when you're official."
Origin
From 'stash', meaning to hide something away. It rose alongside pocketing in late-2010s dating media as a label for hidden-partner behavior.
Frequently asked questions
What does stashing mean in a relationship?
It's hiding your partner from your friends, family, and social media, keeping the relationship secret as if you've stashed the person away.
Is stashing a red flag?
After the early dating stage, yes; ongoing stashing often signals shame, hidden options, or that the person isn't truly committed.
What's the difference between stashing and pocketing?
They mean essentially the same thing and are used interchangeably for hiding a partner from your wider life.
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