Ick
A sudden feeling of disgust or loss of attraction, especially toward a romantic interest.
“I got the ick when he started being rude to the waiter.”
The ick commonly describes a moment when attraction abruptly disappears because of a behavior, habit, mannerism, or personal detail. The cause may be serious, trivial, highly specific, or humorous.
Ick has long been an interjection expressing disgust. Use of the ick as a noun for sudden romantic repulsion is often credited to a 1998 episode of Ally McBeal, and the expression later became widespread through dating discussions and social media.
the ick
The most common form, referring to the sudden feeling of disgust or lost attraction.
ick list
A list of behaviors, habits, or traits that cause someone to lose attraction.
got the ick
A phrase meaning that a specific moment or behavior caused attraction to disappear.
What does getting the ick mean?
It means suddenly feeling disgusted, uncomfortable, or no longer attracted to someone.
Is the ick always about dating?
No. Dating is the most common context, but the expression can describe repulsion toward friendships, habits, products, or situations.
Can the ick go away?
Sometimes. The phrase often implies a lasting loss of attraction, but individual feelings and relationships vary.