Dear Merriam-Webster:
I know you love adding words to your ranks. Usually pop-culturey entries like “aha moment” and “unfriend” and “f-bomb.” Here’s the thing – I love pop culture too! So, I’d like to submit a nomination for your consideration. Next year, I propose that “Friend Zone” should make the cut.
The term, is credited to–what else?– Friends. In season one (1994!), Joey tells Ross that not only is he in the friend zone with Rachel, the girl of his dreams, but he is “mayor of the zone.”
And while it may not have received your blessing yet, the term does have its own Wikipedia entry: “a platonic relationship where one person wishes to enter into a romantic relationship while the other does not. The most typical friend zone situation involves a man that is romantically interested in a woman who does not reciprocate or is unaware of his interest. It is generally considered to be an undesirable situation by the lovelorn person. Once the friend zone is established, it is said to be difficult to move beyond that point in a relationship.”
The term is so mainstream that there’s even an entire TV series called FriendZone. It’s on MTV, and it’s just about the most uncomfortable television viewing of my life. On the show, teenagers/20-somethings who are in the friend zone ask their BFF to be a wingman on a blind date. Then, when they get to the date, they confront said BFF and–gotcha!–admit that the date is really for them. Will they try out a relationship and move out of the zone?
Merriam, Webster, think of your most awkward interaction. Multiply it by a gagillion. That’s how it feels to watch this show. I literally cover my eyes during the big reveal moment. Ack. I wanted to send you a clip directly, but for whatever reason it’s not working. Instead, you can experience the pain yourself, here.
Despite the show’s awkward moments, MTV is solidifying the place of friend zone in the cultural lexicon. Kids everywhere know what it means. Adults know what it means. Everyone who has ever had a crush on a friend knows what it means.
So, there you have it. I’ve made my case. Admit you like it. I mean, like-like it. I don’t want us to be stuck in the friend zone.
Sincerely,
Rachel
MWF Seeking BFF 
You may get some flak for this suggestion… I know a lot of people who have an issue with the term “friendzone” because it can carry the implication that if a guy is nice to a girl, she has an obligation to date him or else is “friendzoning” (negative) him.
Huh. That’s interesting, I’ve never heard that argument. Thanks for sharing!
I always watch that show and wonder why the people who are on it don’t figure it out. I mean how many TV shows follow people around as they get ready for a date? My first guess would be FriendZone. I wonder whatever happened to the one show where the Exes were locked together for a weekend?? That was quite the entertainment! LOL
Excellent suggestion. Probably known by more of the population than words like “hydrostatic” etc 😛 Hell it’s even a verb too nowadays!
Yes! I just heard the term “he friend-zoned me” for the first time watching that show. Who knew??
HILARIOUS! Some of the words they add are just absurd – this one would actually be great!
I’ve never heard the term, but always wondered what you could call that awkward status of relationship. A very one-sided relationship in terms of reciprocated feelings. (Yet another new FB status update. Yikes.)
Thanks for the enlightenment!
I’m disappointed by this post. It seems sophomoric and unnecessary. I agree with the first comment above.
Wow! Not everything has to be serious and “highbrow”. Sometimes silly and fun is good too.
Brilliant suggestion! I mean, friends was just full of classic words and phrases. Let’s make this happen! 🙂
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