A squish typically refers to a platonic crush. It may be defined as a strong platonic or non-romantic desire for an emotional relationship with a person. It is most often used by aromantic people but is not limited to folks on the aro spectrum.

A-spec individuals may use the term to refer to the object of their platonic desire. It means a person who has a squish on someone experiences an intense feeling of attraction and admiration for someone without romantic or sexual attraction.

Squish – It’s Not the Sound of Your Wet Shoes

Onomatopoeia. It’s a big word. and it refers to words that sound like the sound something makes. And so it is with the word “squish.” If you have ever walked through a mud puddle after a rain, then you know the sound you hear when you walk in those wet shoes – they squish squished! But this word means many other things too.

Squish Meaning – Terminology

Squish can be a noun or a verb.

The Verb Squish – to squeeze or crush something. Thus, someone might squish a lemon into a drink, crush something with their fingers, or squeeze their body into a too-tight pair of jeans.

The Noun Squish – A weak person. Many today believe that conservatives in the Republican Party are all squishes because they won’t stand up to just four people – Trump, Vance, Musk, and Putin. These conservatives are perceived to be weak and fearful, especially Mr. Musk who has the money to fund their opponents if they don’t “toe the line.” And there are not even enough moderates willing to take a stand. Conservatives thus control the Party, and moderates have been cast out.

The Noun Squish in the LGBTQ World – This refers to a platonic crush. It may be defined as a strong platonic or non-romantic desire for an emotional relationship with a person. It is most often used by aromantic people but is not limited to folks on the aro spectrum.

A-spec individuals may use the term to refer to the object of their platonic desire. It means a person who has a squish on someone experiences an intense feeling of attraction and admiration without romantic or sexual attraction. Squish should not be confused with “squeeze” which refers to a romantic and/or sexual partner.

History

If you search for the word squish in any browser, you will find many of the meanings listed above, including one referred to in a Taimi LGBTQ+ dating app blog post.

The term squish seems to have come from a combination of the words crush and maybe smash and now refers to a type of platonic crush on someone.

Exactly when the term squish squished into more mainstream terminology is not exact, but in 1997 it was used in an episode of a TV series, “Aaahh!!! Real monsters.” Later, it was used by Raisin, a user of the forums of the Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) forums.

It’s important to note that a squish does not only refer to those on the aro spectrum, though that seems to be most common. It is quite possible for a straight person to have a squish on anyone they admire and want to have a platonic relationship with.

Flags and Symbols

While there are many pride flags that refer to asexual and/or aromantic identities, there is also a platonic relationship flag coming more into use:

The meaning of the colors is as follows:

• Orange refers to joy
• Pink for tenderness
• Yellow for friendship
• White for unity

Do I Have a Squish?

Forget the analogy of the rain and mud puddle. Think of a squish in terms of admiration and platonic attraction to others. In this respect, you may have multiple squishes, and they may take many forms:

• You may be communicating with others on LGBTQ+ dating apps and come to admire them to the point of wanting to pursue a close platonic relationship
• There may be co-workers you admire with whom you want to have a closer relationship but on a platonic level
• You may have met someone at an event or in a social setting, formed an immediate attraction to, and want to develop a meaningful platonic relationship with.

Do People with a Squish Need Support?

The only support that can be provided is to encourage those with a squish to pursue that relationship. If someone you know has a squish, then encourage them to move forward.

Final Wrap

Squishes are real. They occur both within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community. Anyone who has a squish should pursue that relationship – it can prove to be rewarding and contribute to a more fulfilled life.