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What Is a Pick Me Boy? Everything You Need to Know Download Article Learn the origins of the well-known piece of TikTok slang Co-authored by Imad Jbara and Jessica Gibson
Last Updated: July 19, 2024 Fact Checked
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What’s the definition of a pick me boy?
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Things a Pick Me Boy Says
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This article was co-authored by Imad Jbara and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Imad Jbara is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a relationship coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Imad services 100+ clients, men and women, to improve their dating lives through authentic communication skills. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 114,583 times.
If you've spent any time watching TikToks, you've probably come across several Pick Me Boy point-of-view videos. So, what is a Pick Me Boy? Most TikToks give a lot of examples, but not much background on the term. In this article, we'll give you the breakdown on the Pick Me Boy and things he might say, so you'll be able to spot one in your own life.
What is a Pick Me Boy?
A pick me boy is a guy who emotionally manipulates women by faking low self esteem. He also may falsely claim to hold feminist or progressive views to garner favor.
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What’s the definition of a pick me boy?
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1 A Pick Me Boy puts himself down in order to emotionally manipulate a woman. At first, it might seem like the guy has low self-esteem, but it's actually a tactic to get recognition or emotional support from a woman he likes.[1]XResearch source
Usually, he'll say something self-deprecating in order to make the woman he's talking to reassure him and tell him how great he is. He might even go so far as to ask her out, hoping that she feels so guilty she'll accept.
2 The Pick Me Boy tries to stand out by voicing feminist views he doesn't really hold. He'll share viewpoints that seem really progressive or feminist because he thinks that will make him seem different than other guys.
Pick Me Boys are also notorious for making stereotypical assumptions about gender roles.
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Where did the term come from?
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1 Pick Me Boy has its origins in African American Vernacular English. The term first popped up in online magazines like Dominique and The Root back in 2017. Articles described the Pick Me Man as a variation of a simp—someone who does way too much for someone they like.[2]XResearch source
Although the term means something different now, it's important to recognize that it had its start in Black internet culture.
You can treat a Pick Me Boy the same way you'd deal with a simp—be honest and clear about how you feel.
2 The term showed up on Urban Dictionary and TikTok in 2021. Pick Me Boy entries popped up on Urban Dictionary in February and the idea quickly made its way to TikTok, where the term became really popular.[3]XResearch source
A lot of TikToks point out the differences between the Pick Me Girl and the Pick Me Boy—neither of the terms is very positive, so they're cautionary videos. The Pick Me Girl claims to be different from all other women, so she stands out to men.
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Things a Pick Me Boy Says
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1 "You're out of my league." This is a Pick Me Boy's way of giving a compliment, but he expects something in return. Specifically, he wants you to argue and say that he's good enough for you. He may continue this idea until he can ask you out.[4]XResearch source Here's another way he does this when messaging:
Boy: "Hi. 😃"You: "Hi."Boy: "Oh, wow. Girls never text me back."
He'll probably be pretty soft spoken or timid when saying these things—it's only after you reject him that his demeanor totally changes.
2 "I'm used to rejection." He says this to immediately get your pity. Plus, it's his way of setting you up for a challenge—he's hoping you'll want to prove him wrong and give you a chance. Think of this response as a bit of sly reverse psychology. He might also say:
"I'm so ugly."
"No one ever talks to me."
"I don't blame you. Who would want to go out with me?"
The guy will probably pause and look at you after saying something like this—he's waiting for you to jump in and correct him.
3 "I just want equal pay for women." He might bring up a feminist idea out of the blue just to signal how progressive he is. Don't be surprised if he immediately makes a move after saying something like this—he thinks you'll be impressed that understands you and you won't dare turn him down.[5]XResearch source
He'll probably seem vocal or passionate about a topic before he totally switches gears and focuses on you.
4 "Nice guys always finish last." This is his last shot at making it with you. If he's not getting emotional support or recognition from you, he'll fall back on this phrase. It's kind of like his Hail Mary—he's hoping you'll change your mind and agree to keep talking with him or accept your offer of a date.[6]XResearch source
He might switch this up a bit and say something like, "I'll stop bothering you now."
Pay attention to how he starts acting. He might act overly emotional and start crying, or he'll become bitter and angry.
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Question What are male pick-me girls called? Because I tend to do this: put down stereotyped male behavior in other men to get female attention. Ana Hernandez Community Answer They're called pick me boys, but also do consider your behavior, too, if you do those things. Try practicing self-gratitude, for instance. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 18
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Co-authored by: Imad Jbara Dating Coach This article was co-authored by Imad Jbara and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Imad Jbara is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a relationship coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Imad services 100+ clients, men and women, to improve their dating lives through authentic communication skills. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This article has been viewed 114,583 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 6Updated: July 19, 2024 Views: 114,583 Categories: Tik Tok In other languages Indonesian Portuguese Spanish
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Download Article Learn the origins of the well-known piece of TikTok slang Co-authored by Imad Jbara and Jessica Gibson 
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Co-authored by: Imad Jbara Dating Coach This article was co-authored by Imad Jbara and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Imad Jbara is a Dating Coach for NYC Wingwoman LLC, a relationship coaching service based in New York City. 'NYC Wingwoman' offers matchmaking, wingwoman services, 1-on-1 Coaching, and intensive weekend bootcamps. Imad services 100+ clients, men and women, to improve their dating lives through authentic communication skills. He has a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This article has been viewed 114,583 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 6 Updated: July 19, 2024 Views: 114,583 Categories: Tik Tok In other languages Indonesian Portuguese Spanish 
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1 A Pick Me Boy puts himself down in order to emotionally manipulate a woman. At first, it might seem like the guy has low self-esteem, but it's actually a tactic to get recognition or emotional support from a woman he likes.[1] 
2 The Pick Me Boy tries to stand out by voicing feminist views he doesn't really hold. He'll share viewpoints that seem really progressive or feminist because he thinks that will make him seem different than other guys. 
1 Pick Me Boy has its origins in African American Vernacular English. The term first popped up in online magazines like Dominique and The Root back in 2017. Articles described the Pick Me Man as a variation of a simp—someone who does way too much for someone they like.[2] 
2 The term showed up on Urban Dictionary and TikTok in 2021. Pick Me Boy entries popped up on Urban Dictionary in February and the idea quickly made its way to TikTok, where the term became really popular.[3] 
1 "You're out of my league." This is a Pick Me Boy's way of giving a compliment, but he expects something in return. Specifically, he wants you to argue and say that he's good enough for you. He may continue this idea until he can ask you out.[4] Here's another way he does this when messaging: 
2 "I'm used to rejection." He says this to immediately get your pity. Plus, it's his way of setting you up for a challenge—he's hoping you'll want to prove him wrong and give you a chance. Think of this response as a bit of sly reverse psychology. He might also say: 
3 "I just want equal pay for women." He might bring up a feminist idea out of the blue just to signal how progressive he is. Don't be surprised if he immediately makes a move after saying something like this—he thinks you'll be impressed that understands you and you won't dare turn him down.[5] 
4 "Nice guys always finish last." This is his last shot at making it with you. If he's not getting emotional support or recognition from you, he'll fall back on this phrase. It's kind of like his Hail Mary—he's hoping you'll change your mind and agree to keep talking with him or accept your offer of a date.[6] 
Ana Hernandez Community Answer They're called pick me boys, but also do consider your behavior, too, if you do those things. Try practicing self-gratitude, for instance. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 18 
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