Submarining

Submarining (verb / Dating Slang)

(Also heard as: Submarine, Submarined, Resurfacing)

Definition:

Submarining is when someone who disappeared from your life suddenly resurfaces, often after weeks or months, with a casual message as if nothing happened. Like a submarine, they surface without warning.

Where Submarining Comes From:

It was named as a dating trend in the early 2020s, building on ghosting and the similar term “zombieing”. The submarine image suggests staying hidden, then reappearing.

How People Actually Use Submarining:

Used about a ghoster who returns: “he submarined me after three months with a ‘hey stranger'”. It often comes with mixed feelings.

Is Submarining Rude?

The behaviour can feel disrespectful, but the word itself is descriptive.

Examples in the Wild:

• “After months of silence he submarined me.”Meaning: He suddenly reappeared.
• “Got submarined by an ex at 11pm.”Meaning: They popped back up late at night.
• “Ignore the submarine and move on.”Meaning: Do not reply to someone who vanished.

Similar Slang:

Ghosting, Zombie, Breadcrumbing, Orbiting

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