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Merriam Webster’s word of the year is gaslighting — because of course it is

Merriam Webster’s word of the year is gaslighting — because of course it is

This winter we're asking the question — have you really been gaslit?
01 Dec, 2022

The Merriam Webster dictionary has declared gaslighting its word of the year. Is gaslighting even real though? Are you sure you have been gaslit?

See what we did there? We just gaslit gaslighting. If you don’t get it, let us break it down for you. Though it’s wintertime and we don’t really have enough gas to be lighting it, we have plenty of gaslighting potential. This may not create any fire to keep you warm but it will definitely light a fire inside that will drive the gaslitee a little nuts.

Gaslighting is the act of grossly misleading someone, especially for one’s own advantage. Though it is undeniably a serious tactic of manipulation, pop culture has accepted it with open arms, attaching its own brand of funny to it. People can now joke about being gaslit and even being the gaslighter, especially when it topples an established power structure.

For example, you may have heard the phrase gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. Though gaslighting and gatekeeping are not exactly positive phenomena, women use the phrase humorously to subtly reclaim their power, adding a girlboss as the cherry on top.

We need to make sure you understand, though these jokes bring up some serious issues such as mental health and unhealthy relationships or situationships, sometimes it’s easier for people to talk about things they are going through using memes.

Introverts can also use it to escape uncomfortable social situations.

In other news, this is how Twitter users have accepted the word of the year update — with a ginormous serving of piping hot irony.

The Rolling Stone also claimed that Merriam Webster is a real mastermind trying to gaslight us into believing gaslighting is the word of the year.

Have you ever used the word gaslighting?

Comments

Khayyam James Hussain Dec 01, 2022 11:50am
Oh Hey! I'm a frequent victim of gas-lighting!
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Pathanoo Dec 01, 2022 12:33pm
Creation of Paksitan was a Gaslighting event if the Meriam Webster dictionary definition is applied. Many Pakistanis believe that in their heart.
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zebswati Dec 01, 2022 01:18pm
Looks old in Pakistani politics but this year politicians used it openly in public , when arrested first thing happens is their ex-ones , first "Gas light" their clothes.
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M. Emad Dec 01, 2022 02:35pm
NO oil & gas reserves found off Pakistan (Sindh / Balochistan) shore.
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Truth is bitter Dec 01, 2022 02:50pm
Need to limit gas lighting due to incompetent PDM government and gas shortage
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NYS Dec 01, 2022 03:27pm
'Gaslighting 'most common in extended families When joint families have to shun their ills
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Syed Chishti Dec 01, 2022 05:25pm
In India and Pakistan, gaslighting is being used since long. "Ghaslait" which means Kerosene oil is actually a colloquial version of gaslight.
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