Ghosting, Gaslighting and Breadcrumbing: How and When to Use the Terms

Photo by Erik Müller on Unsplash

It was expected that the unholy trinity of modern dating: ghosting, gaslighting and breadcrumbing would eventually work their way into everyday speech. They are the new kids on the block much as narcissists, borderline and Cluster B used to be, but with less clinical definitions.

And it is that lack of academic formality that has caused these terms to be misused or overused. To be fair, this was also to be expected. Ghosting, gaslighting and breadcrumbing are far more accessible terms because they sound like things we already know. You could even guess what the terms meant in the context of dating (probably with the exception of gaslighting).

So here’s the what, how and when on using these terms.

Ghosting

With the rise of social media, it became easier to connect with a new romantic crush. It also became easier to disconnect. Ghosting is the act of discontinuing communication with someone without telling them of one’s decision to do so, specifically when there had been prolonged communication for some time. It’s often used in the context of dating, but the term has been used in friendship, family and business.

The reason ghosting is seen as harmful is because the sudden halt of communication hurts the person being…