What is ‘the ick’? Breaking down the viral dating term

CHICAGO (WGN) — Travis Kelce’s recent Super Bowl win was certainly cause for celebration, but his victory cry, which consisted of a very enthusiastic rendition of “Viva Las Vegas,” has some Taylor Swift fans claiming it gave her “the ick.”

While some say Kecle’s celebration seemed perfectly reasonable, the greater question stands: What is “the ick,” and why do some Swifties think Taylor got it during the post-game celebration?

According to Dictionary.com, “the ick” is a term used to describe the sudden feeling of disgust or repulsion toward a partner or date to whom one was previously attracted. 

In simple terms, it describes dislikes or turnoffs that strike someone, usually out of nowhere, after their partner or date acts in an unexpected way.

Usually “the ick” is brought on by an action that could be innocuous, but happens to strike someone as unattractive, such as the way a date holds a fork or speaks to their pet. 

The term, which was added to Dictionary.com in September, is popular on social media apps and in dating culture and is thought to have originated on the TV show “Ally McBeal,” which aired in the late 90’s and early aughts.

TikTok user @wyszkay has even gone as far as to put together an aggregated “ick list,” compiling some of the things some women say flips their feelings of attraction to feelings of disgust.

While the term is not officially used in psychology to describe the sudden loss of attraction by a partner, it has certainly proven effective in defining the shocking feeling.

Whether or not Taylor was hit with it on Sunday hasn’t stopped X users from passionately debating the topic.