#7: Gaslight

Definition:

(verb) : to drive someone insane by making them doubt their perceptions or memories

Example:

"I had a couple of coworkers attempt to gaslight me once. They swore up and down that I was at a particular meeting. The meeting never happened. However, the attempted gaslighting did motivate me to find another job." – comment by Mariposa on the Laurie Kendrick blog, July 5, 2008

Editor's Note:

The term comes from "Gaslight," a 1944 movie in which a husband tries to drive his wife crazy by changing minor details in their house – including the brightness of the gas lights – and then insisting they've always been that way.

Submitted by:

Chris L., IA