LOVE Island is known for its aesthetically-blessed cast members and of course, its pretty niche lingo, including muggy and snake.
But at times the Islanders’ unique terminology can be difficult to grasp, with new phrases being introduced every season.
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The full guide to Love Island phrases
Pied
Pied is the most common phrase used on Love Island.
The meaning behind the word is to be rejected by someone.
It’s not unreasonable to think that the term derived from the slapstick act of smashing a pie into the face to cause humiliation.
My type on paper
This means an Islander fancies someone.
The phrase is used to describe a perfect match – someone who is your “type on paper”, means you are attracted to them.
Shoot your shot
It translates to – “What’s the worst that could happen?”.
Shoot your shot means you are going to take an opportunity to tell someone you are interested in them.
Ick
When someone gives you the “ick” it means they are creeping you out.
It usually means that person is being over friendly, or soppy.
Breadcrumbing
This term is used when an Islander is talking about being lured by someone.
The Urban dictionary’s definition is: “The act of sending out flirtatious but non-committal text messages (i.e. ‘breadcrumbs’) in order to lure a partner without expending much effort.”
Chived
Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague coined the term during a date in the villa’s garden, following a chat about vocabulary.
The duo agreed the word would be their code for when they are annoyed with one another.
Explaining, Molly Mae said to him: “Like, if you’re getting p****d off, I’m getting chived.”
Fanny flutter
After Maura Higgins made her arrival, the grid girl couldn’t stop talking about having “fanny flutters” over Tommy.
Fanny flutter is a tingling sensation a woman gets when she is aroused.
It’s believed that having a fanny flutter can also mean a woman is on the verge of reaching her orgasm.
Melt
The term is used to describe a person whose intellectual faculties are less than satisfactory, generally a man who is behaving soft and pathetic about a female.
For example: “I’m acting like an absolute tuna melt over this girl.”
Factor 50
The phrase is in reference to the sun cream and is used to describe someone who is trying too hard.
Factor 50 was heavily used in season four of the ITV2 reality series to explain how contestants should not behave.
Grafting
Although the origins of the word “grafting” is unknown, it has been a staple in Love Island since the series overhaul in 2015.
The term is used to refer to someone who is trying to make the moves on someone else.
Connection
Connection is a way of saying you are interested in someone.
However, it is meant to sound more meaningful.
My head’s been turned
The phrase is another way of saying ‘I fancy someone’ and is regularly used by the Islanders in the villa.
Contestants often use the expression when they are referring to a new arrival.
Where’s your/my head at?
A person will use these group of words when they are trying to figure out how they feel about someone.
The majority of Love Island contestants use the term at some stage during their time on the show.
Girl code
Although girl code is not exclusive to Love Island, it is a term which is regularly used by female contestants.
It is used to describe a female pact which should not be broken even for an attractive man.
Snake/Snakey
Someone who is described as a “snake” is typically unkind, scheming and deceitful.
This phrase is used a lot in the villa, when someone has behaved in a sneaky way.
Loyal
The word took on a WHOLE new meaning with season four’s Georgia Steel using it at every opportunity.
She demanded loyalty and claims to be loyal above everything else.
Muggy/Mugged Off
Every year the Islanders love to use this phrase.
To be “mugged off” means to be taken for a fool.
Prangy
Prangy is a term used for feeling anxious, paranoid or scared.
This normally occurs at the prospect of someone new entering the Love Island villa.
Grower
In the Love Island villa, a grower refers to someone who can slowly become more confident and outgoing as the series goes on.
But it can also refer to a love interest who “grows” on you.
Fishing
Fishing means “fishing for compliments” when trying to win over your love interest.
Laura Anderson accused Adam Collard of fishing when he was deciding who to couple up with.
Chirpse
Chirpse means to flirt or chat someone up.
It’s possibly derived from “chirp” – the high pitched noise birds make.
It is what it is
This phrase was heavily used in series five.
For example, when Michael was relegated to the subs’ bench, Caroline asked him how he felt, to which he replied: “It is what it is”.
According to The Free Dictionary, the phrase means: “The situation, circumstance, or outcome has already happened or been decided or established, so it must be accepted even if it is undesirable.”
Dead Ting
As made famous by Amber, a dead ting is someone who is deemed to be extremely dull.
Mind you, Amber used the term to describe Joanna Chimonides following Michael Griffiths’ decision to recouple with the model.
Bev
Lucie Donlan said that “bev” is used to describe an attractive man.
She explained: “A bev is a hot guy, if he’s your boyfriend he’s your bev, but if he’s not your boyfriend he’s a bev.”
However, many fans went on Twitter to discourage her from trying to make “bev” happen followed by Mean Girl memes.
One viewer wrote: “I hate (and I can’t stress this enough) Lucie trying to make “bev” a thing #LoveIsland.”
Message
The word has taken on a new meaning thanks to basketball star Ovie, who shouted out “Message” every time someone said the Love Island phrase: “I’ve got a text”.
Some fans of the show pointed out the professional basketball player was making reference to the 90s comedy flick Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.
The parody film features Keenen Wayans as a comedy character who pops up to point out that someone has learnt a lesson, by shouting “message”.
Do Bits Society
The term was invented by Wes Nelson in the 2018 series.
It refers to those islanders who had taken things to the next level in the bedroom.
He came up with the idea after things got a bit steamy for him and Laura Anderson beneath the sheets.
Wes declared: “Until one does bits, one cannot have the password to the Do Bits Society Club.
“Nothing goes on there, it’s pretty s*** really, but everyone wants to be part of the Do Bits Society Club.”
When can I watch Love Island on ITV2?
Love Island is back on ITV2 and the ITV Hub.
A new episode will air every night at 9pm Sunday to Friday.
On Saturday nights there will be a highlights episode, which will also air unseen footage from the villa.
