We’ve compiled a list of our favourite Love Island-isms to get you prepared for its impending return
Hey reader, can I just pull you for a chat? UK television’s prodigal child, Love Island, has announced it’s return to our screens on June 28th and we’re absolutely buzzing. It’s been 18 months since the last series, a winter special set in South Africa; but this time they’re back in Mallorca, and the contestants are already isolating on the island in preparation.
For six years the dulcet highland tones of Iain Stirling have provided the soundtrack to our summer. The show has become a cultural touch point; a frame of reference for an entire generation of young people. Love Island’s programme format appears so addictive that it has been copied literally all over the world, as contestants of the opposite sex compete to couple-up with each other, with one pair eventually crowned the winner
In preparation for this momentous homecoming, here’s our very own Love Island dictionary to get you up to date with the language of love, vibes and feels that the islanders speak.
“Can I pull you for a chat”
Few phrases have as much subtext in the show as this one. Although it appears innocent, every contestant knows what it means to be pulled for a chat and it is guaranteed to cause drama. In most cases, it can be loosely translated as “let’s shag”. Shoutout to Jordan’s outrageous chat pull in series five, where he had the cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity and the gumption to pull contestant India for a chat to announce his romantic intentions, while already being in a relationship with Anna (who was sitting across the pool). King.
“My type on paper”
A phrase brought to prominence by series three winner Amber, it quickly became parroted by fellow contestants and mercilessly memed by viewers. It was effective in explaining an initial attraction someone felt towards a newcomer, which might cause them to jump ship to another person. It could shift any blame you felt for being attracted to another islander: don’t blame me, blame the paper. We couldn’t help feeling sorry for her boyfriend Kem, though, as the producers seemed to roll out Amber’s “type on paper” with every new contestant.
“The do bits society”
Series four had many highlights, but this invention from the boys, namely Wes, was something special. After having their morning debriefs, they would giggle like school boys and announce whether they had “done bits” with their partner the night before. Those who had could join the “do bits society”. But unlike fight club, the first rule of do bits society was you had to talk about it – a lot.
“Where’s your head at?”
This one is surprisingly not a homage to that Basement Jaxx belter. After going on a few dates or having a few pull chats, this is the next line in the winning romantic formula, and basically means: we doing this or nah?
“Shoot your shot”
Meaning to go for it with a fellow islander, this could take the form of leaning in for a kiss, pulling them for a chat, telling them how you feel. Or possibly a Curtis-esque morning coffee (*gags at his cringeness*). You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, remember.
“Bev”
Supposedly, this means a hot guy. Lucie entered the villa in series five and had two things on her mind: stealing Tommy from Molly-Mae, and most importantly, making “bev” happen. This ambitious Love Island x Mean Girls crossover never took off, and recent estimates suggest that Lucie is still the only person using the term.
“Factor 50/Grafting/Stick it on them”
These all essentially mean making your feelings very obvious to the object of your attraction; sticking it on them and flirting so thick and obvious it resembles factor 50 suncream. Over the years there have been many instances of outrageous factor 50 behaviour. In series six, Mike put on alllll the factor 50 when he shamelessly grafted Jess from right under her partner Luke M’s nose.
“My head’s been turned”
If you’re happy in your couple but then an absolute worldy walks in and starts giving you doubts, you may have also been a victim of having your head turned. In series five Tommy took this phrase to different levels by claiming Maura’s entrance had made his head turn “560 degrees”… No, we don’t get it either.
“Pied”
Nice and obvious. You’ve pulled someone for a chat who’s your type on paper, you stick it on them factor 50 style, ask where their head’s at, and then shoot your shot. What happens if they say they’re not interested? You’ve been slung a big fat custard pie straight in the face. Hence: “pied”.