Fishing

Sending out many messages through one or more dating services in order to get a response is known as "fishing." It comes from actual fishing where you cast out multiple lines to get bites from fish in a body of water.

The term was popularized in the mid-2010s as strategies emerged in the digital dating world through the use of apps/sites like Tinder and Bumble. While it comes from the fishing sport, it also plays off the "plenty of fish in the sea" phrase, which refers to the vast number of single men and women.

People that fish in a dating app are typically desperate for a match since they are impatient and willing to connect with anyone who shows any interest. Or, they are really open-minded and willing to get to know different personalities to possibly make a lasting romantic connection. And some "fishermen" and "fisherwomen" are just looking to hook up instead of a long-term relationship.

Males are usually the ones fishing in a dating app. However, females may also take up the strategy to expedite the dating process.

Fishing is when a person says or does something to get a compliment from someone. People typically fish when they are insecure about something and need positive reinforcement.

The term comes from actual fishing, where a person casts a line with some bait to get a bite from a fish. But fishing in this sense involves a person saying or doing something self-deprecating to get someone to disagree with them and reassure them that what they said is not valid.

Fishing is typically frowned upon because it's a blatant attempt to receive a compliment. Often females are the ones who fish for compliments regarding their appearance but males fish, as well.