The S Files: The Science Behind "The Ick"

Nothing kills the vibe on a first (or third) date like discovering that the person across from you, who had seemed so full of potential, chews with his mouth open or wears sunglasses indoors or has his ex’s initials tattooed on his bicep. Cue “the ick.” The term, which is used liberally on social-media platforms like TikTok and among reality TV contestants, describes an abrupt feeling of disgust about someone you were previously attracted to, usually during the early stages of dating. Sandra Rosenberg unpacks the scientific reason we get "the ick" while listeners share what their icks are.