The ick is a sudden wave of disgust toward someone you were attracted to, set off by one small thing. You liked them on Tuesday. On Wednesday they ran for a bus with their arms out like a toddler, and now you can't look at them. People say "I got the ick" or "he gave me the ick."
Examples of the ick
- He tucks his jeans into his socks.
- She says "pumpkin spice" with a straight face.
- He signs off every text with "cheers".
- They send a voice note that is just them laughing at their own joke.
- He's very proud of his cold brew.
None of this is serious. The person did nothing wrong and is exactly who they were yesterday. Your reaction is what changed.
The ick vs. a red flag
A red flag is a warning about behaviour: lying, controlling, disappearing for a week. You can explain it to your friends and they agree. The ick is a gut reaction to something harmless, and you can't defend it. You say it out loud, they say "oh no, the socks", and the date is over. If you're ending a situationship over the ick, there is nothing for the other person to argue with.
Does the ick go away?
Usually not. Once you've noticed the thing, you keep noticing it, and it's hard to un-see a tucked-in sock.
The ick, on a shirt
Somebody has probably given you the ick, and somebody has probably got it from you. Ours takes the second side: All My Exes Have the Same Problem. Me. The line is on the back, so people read it as you walk away.
€38, oversized fit, sizes S to 5XL, printed to order in the EU.
Related: what a situationship is. More shirts for people with a past: all shirts.