Merriam-Webster’s Word Of The Year Had People Questioning Themselves, Alright

Ah, gaslighting, a word we commonly see doing the rounds online. But what does it really mean?

Well, when it was first used back in the 20th century, the term referred to “psychological manipulation” extending over a period of time, which eventually causes the victim “to question the validity” of their thoughts, reality, or memories. 

In recent years, with the surge of misinformation and disinformation, gaslighting has become a fashionable word once more. It has now taken on a broader meaning, involving the act of “grossly misleading” another for personal benefit. 

As such, Merriam-Webster has announced the popular term as its Word of the Year, pointing to “fake news,” conspiracy theories, Twitter trolls, and even deepfakes as phenomena that evoke the term. 

The public seems to agree, with the number of searches for the word increasing by 1740% in 2022, staying consistently at the forefront of people’s minds throughout the entire year. 

According to the dictionary, the term first appeared in the title of a 1938 play, which later had a movie spin-off, that portrayed a man who attempted to lead his wife into believing she was inside. 

She notices the gas lights dimming in the home when he heads up to the attic, but he persistently insists what she’s seeing didn’t occur, and she starts to doubt her own perception. 

While words such as lie and fraud point to the same concept of deception, gaslighting connects the idea to a larger plan or conspiracy.

“In recent years, with the vast increase in channels and technologies used to mislead, gaslighting has become the favored word for the perception of deception. This is why (trust us!) it has earned its place as our Word of the Year,” the site details.

[via Gizmodo and Merriam-Webster, cover image via Hollyharryoz | Dreamstime.com]