Rebuilding Rob

NPR recently posted a fascinating article regarding the modern misuse of the word “gaslighting,” and it really struck a chord with me.

From Lying to Gaslighting: The Search for a Better Lexicon

As an English teacher, I’m constantly looking at how our lexicon evolves, but there is a dangerous trend in how we’ve begun to water down specific, heavy-hitting terms. The article is spot on: most people now use “gaslighting” as a catch-all for any time someone lies to them.

But there is a mechanical difference between lying to avoid the truth and gaslighting. Lying is an attempt to hide a fact; gaslighting is a psychological attempt to convince someone that their own senses and reality are deceiving them. It isn’t just a falsehood—it’s an assault on someone’s sanity.

The Dilution of Trauma: Bullying and Narcissism

I see this “watering down” effect everywhere. We see it with the word “narcissist,” which is now often used to describe anyone who is simply being selfish or vain. We see it constantly with students who use the word “bullying” in an almost mocking, casual fashion to describe a single awkward interaction or a minor disagreement.

The “Crying Word” Effect and Its Consequences

The danger here is what I call the “Crying Word” effect.

When these terms are overused or treated as exaggerations, we stop taking the genuine cases seriously. If every disagreement is “bullying” and every lie is “gaslighting,” then the people actually trapped in those cycles of abuse find themselves ignored. Their reality is minimized because the words we use to describe their pain have lost their weight.

When we devalue our language, we devalue the experiences of the people the language was meant to protect.

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The article “The “Crying Word” Effect” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob