Throuple

A couple that has a mutual friend or third wheel that is always with them.

Or when a couple’s mutual friend consistently hangs out with them after 6 months or more.

This includes hanging out together on known couple holidays like Valentine’s Day.

Ever since Bob broke up with Kim, he and Ted and Michele have become a serious throuple.

by Fortune_Cookie February 16, 2020

battered throuple syndrome

Battered throuple syndrome is essentially Stockholm syndrome without the kidnapping. Typically BTS experienced by elder people. Sometimes occurs when a spouse dies and they latch onto another couple. The relationship of the three experiences feelings of love, attachment, trapped, and anxiety. Anxiety is often felt when separated from one or two. Trapped is experienced when one wants space from the two but they can not leave. They can run to the grocery store but they must return. Once one experiences BTS one can not escape.

My mom has battered throuple syndrome (BTS). She spends lots of time with a couple. She even sleeps in their bed. She sometimes calls the man her husband but she is confused by the dynamics of BTS.

by PuddyPieBrown May 15, 2025