But why is it called flashpanning? Flashpanning is a twist on the phrase ‘flash in the pan’, which is used to describe things which are successful, important or interesting for only a short period of time. In this way, it describes someone who is only interested in that fun, exciting stage that comes with the early phases of a relationship and quickly lets things fizzle out once that’s gone.

Not ideal. Is there any way to spot a potential ‘flashpanner’? Apart from asking your potential partner for a rundown of their recent dating history (which probably wouldn’t go down well), it can be hard to tell when someone’s a flashpanner. My advice would be to stay wary of anyone who’s intense on the romance front from the very beginning and who seems to get a kick out of the spectacle of it all. It’s OK to want to indulge in some romance, but if they’re not willing to tone things down a bit from time to time (having a coffee in the park instead of going out for a three-course meal, for example), then it might be time to talk.

Dating Dictionary: flashpanning is the latest toxic behaviour to watch out for on dating apps