Overview

• The slang describes intentionally dating someone perceived as less attractive in hopes of better treatment, with “Shrekked” meaning getting hurt anyway.
• The term is credited to TikToker @jaxitodwyer, whose August 7–8 posts drew hundreds of thousands of views and set the format for others.
• Usage spread across TikTok through late August and drew mainstream explainers from outlets including USA Today, Primetimer and LADbible.
• Recent posts and articles compile anecdotes and critiques, including a September 1 video from @trevonwoodburyy that quickly gained tens of thousands of views.
• Experts call the approach toxic and unreliable, and Know Your Meme notes some see it as a creator‑driven “forced meme” rather than an organic trend.