Origin Story Gaslighting – No, you’re not imagining it
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Aug 28, 2024 
Dorian Lynskey, a commentator on the cultural evolution of psychological terms, joins co-host Ian to dissect the phenomenon of gaslighting. They explore its historical roots, tracing it from a 1938 play to a buzzword in politics, particularly during Trump's campaign. The duo discusses the implications of misusing the term and the difference between gaslighting and lying. They also reflect on the psychological tactics behind gaslighting in both personal relationships and state-sponsored manipulation, encouraging clarity amidst the confusion.
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Definition And Early Use
- The OED defines gaslighting as manipulating someone to question their sanity through psychological means.
- The first cited usage as a verb appears in 1961 and the term originally implied deeply undermining someone's grasp on reality.
Plot That Coined The Term
- In Gaslight Jack dims the gas and insists his wife is imagining noises and darkness.
- Detective Ruff later exposes Jack's scheme to search the upstairs apartment and to drive his wife insane for inheritance.
Cultural Shift From Joke To Clinic
- The term migrated from a dark theatrical trope into lighter pop culture uses in sitcoms and songs.
- Clinical literature adopted it in the 1970s and 1980s to describe coercive control and institutional misuse.