A crush is a person for whom you have a strong emotional attachment. Depending on the strength of this emotion, it can be a pleasant feeling or a frustrating one. A crush can be someone you are in a romantic relationship with, a coworker or even a friend. In a romantic sense, crush refers to an infatuation that could lead to feelings of romance and lust. This infatuation is sometimes known as puppy love.
Whether the infatuation is romantic or platonic, the feelings can be difficult to manage. The sweaty palms, fast heartbeat and obsessive thoughts can be distracting. A crush can even interfere with daily activities such as work, school and socializing with others. This can be embarrassing and may cause a feeling of vulnerability. In addition, the person who is being crushed may not reciprocate these feelings. Nonetheless, these feelings are a normal part of life and can have positive outcomes if handled appropriately.
While many people may believe that a crush is a precursor to love, it is actually a natural human feeling. Studies show that crushes are quite common and typically occur before a person enters into a committed intimate relationship. It is also believed that crushes help develop intimacy skills and are an important part of adolescent development.
The origins of the term crush are unclear, but it is thought to have been derived from the word mash, which was used in the 1800s as a slang phrase for infatuation. It might have been a variation of the Romani word masherava, which meant to allure or entice. Eventually, it was shortened to crush. It is also believed that the word evokes images of someone crushing their hand on a brick wall or their head on a pillow.
In a non-romantic sense, crush can be used to describe a soft drink that is popular. For example, Harborside in Ocean City sells the drink Crush, which is a mix of orange soda and vodka. Other flavors include strawberry, blue raspberry and red licorice. The drink has been a favorite in Ocean City since it was introduced 10 years ago. It has also become a hit at other restaurants in Maryland, including Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick.
Some studies have found that crushes can be damaging to existing relationships, particularly long-term committed ones. However, the research has been limited. In one study, it was found that more than a quarter of those in a committed intimate relationship reported having at least one crush. Moreover, these people were likely to have a history of infidelity.
The researchers of this study were interested in understanding which needs or goals crushes might be fulfilling. To this end, they compared the experiences of those who were in relationships with those who were single. They also looked at the differences between the perceived positive and negative individual outcomes associated with crushes. The results were that crushes in the form of attraction and admiration appear to serve different purposes for partnered and single individuals.