Pseudosexual attraction is a form of tertiary attraction describing attraction which mimics or borders on sexual attraction.
Pseudosexual attraction is not sexual attraction. Distinctions may include the attraction not being physical or not including a drive for sexual interaction. Despite this, pseudosexual attraction is often followed by sexual arousal or a libido spike which are generally characteristic of sexual attraction.
History
Pseudosexual attraction was coined by Reddit user AnonymousHermitCrab in the subreddit r/asexuality on February 13th, 2022.[1] The attraction was created as an alternative for the asexual spectrum identity pseudosexual which could be used by individuals who don't feel like that label fits or who are not on the asexual spectrum.
Etymology
The term pseudosexual attraction is based on the Greek root word "pseudo-" meaning "false." The root word "pseudo-" was chosen to represent how tertiary physical attractions present themselves as a false (pseudo) sexual attraction.