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Gatsby Syndrome

Posting, Reposting, Liking, or any other form of sharing on social media, with the intent of someone specific seeing the "message"
1. Posting something hoping your crush will see is an example of gatsby syndrome, you got this!

2. Liking a post about how the "love of your life" hurt you is also Gatsby Syndrome, you tell them bestie 💞
by theatergeeeek October 5, 2025
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gatsbyposting

the act of obsessively posting vague or emotional content with cryptic captions like "missing her rn 🥀" or "some people never change" in hopes that a specific person (usually an ex or unrequited crush) will see it and care.
"Have you seen Mike's Instagram story? He keeps gatsbyposting about his ex as if she's gonna see it and respond to him its so weird. Just DM her or log off."
"She posted 'you were never mine, just borrowed time' on her story again. Full-on gatsbyposting."
by Uncreatively May 27, 2025
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Gatsby Clean

A superficial or hurried method of cleaning a space by hiding clutter in closets, under furniture, or out of sight in order to give the appearance of tidiness—typically done to impress guests or visitors. Inspired by the extravagant yet carefully staged appearances in The Great Gatsby
I didn’t have time to deep clean before the dinner party, so I just did a Gatsby Clean—shoved the laundry in the closet and wiped down the counters.
by Hehebene June 3, 2025
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Great Gatsbying

Publicly posting on social media something secretly meant for one person specifically in hopes to for them to interact with it. In the same vein that Jay Gatsby threw extravagant parties in hopes to attract one person.
I wonder who Todd has a crush on he’s Great Gatsbying on his story again”
by I forget March 19, 2022
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Pulling a Gatsby

(Verb) to befriend someone just to get closer to your crush.
John hung out with Katie this morning just so he could talk to his crush, Jaime. He was accused of pulling a gatsby
by Skrrtskrtt May 20, 2017
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the great gatsby

“hey, old sport!” -jay gatsby, every page in the great gatsby
by ollie :/ March 21, 2021
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The Great Gatsby

1: A classic piece of literature by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

2: A literary torture device made for tenth grade students
1: Andy: “I really like ‘The Great Gatsby!’ It’s one of my favorite books!”

2: Jake: Did you read the chapters for “The Great Gatsby” last night?
Enno: Yeah, why?
Jake: Could I have answers to the questions? Reading that book is torture…
by GrapeSmasher19 August 6, 2021
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