The ick

The ick is a slang term used to describe a feeling of disgust that arises towards a love interest, usually after a specific, often trivial, behavior.

The phrase was popularized by Love Island in 2017 and attracted further attention on TikTok in 2020, where many videos feature women listing their icks.

[2] The ick commonly occurs in the initial period of attraction, before a relationship has developed the loyalty that allows people to overlook small flaws.

[7] The ick can arise after specific triggers, often trivial behaviors; The Guardian gave examples such as not using a pillowcase, walking angrily while wearing flip flops, letting legs dangle while sitting at a barstool, or having crusty red sauce at the corners of the mouth after eating spaghetti.

[4] Some people induce the ick on purpose, imagining their crush doing ick-inducing activities, to soften the emotional toll of unrequited love.