Freckling is the new dating trend of the summer

Everyone knows what freckles are. But do you know about freckling?

Chances are, you probably do. In fact, if you've ever enjoyed a summer romance, you've basically done it already.

Freckling is the new buzzword on the dating scene which refers to people who hook up during the summer months, to while away those lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer together, before uncoupling again come autumn.

Where it differs from the regular holiday romance, however, is that it usually happens with someone you know and it never officially ends. Frecklers stay vaguely in touch throughout the year - liking the odd social media post here and there, for instance, and when summer comes around it's not unusual for them to get together once more.

It's a phrase coined by AskMen and was inspired by the beloved little summer spots, the freckles: blemishes which can crop up on the skin following exposure to the sun, but which generally fade in less sunnier weather.

Freckling mirrors this behaviour; it's basically the summer version of 'cuffing', which is coupling up during winter when it's cold and dark, only to break free from the snuggly shackles in favour of single living when warmer weather arrives.

What are the benefits of this freckling? Predominantly, it's casual. No one really knows where they stand and they don't like to talk about it either.

So if you're allergic to the types of liaisons which inevitably culminate with the 'where's this going?', this type of dating might be perfect for you.