Ghosting happens all the time on dating apps such as Tinder

The definition of ghosting is: "Ending a relationship by ignoring all communication from the other person"

Newsflash: ghosting is definitely real. The Collins English Dictionary even included the term in its annual words of the year round-up. For those of you thinking ghosting has supernatural connotations, it doesn't. The definition? "Ending a relationship by ignoring all communication from the other person," so says Collins.

Welcome to 2015, people. "Swipe" was another date-related word in Collins' top 10, relating of course, to Tinder. I can't help but think there is a link here. As my friend said to me in an email: "Ghosting happens all the time on dating apps. You're chatting to some hot guy about five years younger than you, the banter is strong, you're all lined up for them to ask you out, then … nothing. They've gone. Disappeared." What are my thoughts on this?

I replied as any truth-hunting anthropologist would in my position: "Normal people might think this is due to them accidentally losing their phone, or maybe even finding The One. I don't. I think it's down to a short attention span and too many pouts and cleavages distract-ing them to actually follow through with a conversation."

That said, some ghosts end up being friendly. They are everywhere on dating apps – often beaming out of your phone with their top off clutching a bottle of Peroni. It's like that clever friend of mine said: "I think it's actually the new way of nodding, smiling and walking away at the bar." I was nodding myself as she continued: "This is all fine if you don't really know someone yet. Although I did recently hear that my friend's boyfriend of eight months just stopped responding to her with no explanation. That guy's just a tool, obviously."

Can I offer an alternative definition? Ghosting – being a cowardly idiot. Put that in the dictionary, Collins.

@lovefoolforever