Word on the Street

Pheromone party

Pheromone party

What it means:You're young, unattached and absolutely desperate. You've tried everything: speed-dating, voodoo rituals, even sneaking on to Celebrity Love Island. At this stage, you'll do anything to get a date. Well, would you bury your nose in a bunch of sweaty T-shirts that hadn't been washed for a week? You would? Great! Then don't take a shower and get ready for the latest trend in social matchmaking – the pheromone party. Here, guests follow their noses, not their hearts, choosing their partner based on their scent. It's the ultimate singles party – with added smell-o-vision.

Where it comes from:Pheromone parties were started by Judith Prays, whose prayers for love had gone unanswered. Guests must sleep in the same T-shirt for three nights in a row, put the garment into a freezer bag, seal it and bring it to the party. It is then sniffed by other guests – if one of them likes what they smell, bingo! You've scored on the smell-o-meter. But is there any scientific basis for all this? Who cares? If it helps sniff out the love of your life, then I wouldn't turn my nose up at it.

How to say it:"Mom, I told you not to wash my clothes – now I'll never be invited to the pheromone party. You've ruined my life."