Woke words like 'gaslighting' and 'emotional labor' are dumbing down our language, top researcher says READ MORE: Experts warn therapy speak is being weaponized By Caitlin Tilley, Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Published: 21:47, 21 May 2024 | Updated: 00:05, 22 May 2024 e-mail View comments Using 'therapy speak' terms like gaslighting and emotional labor could be dumbing down the English language, a top researcher has warned. Dr Robert Morgan, a lecturer and ethics expert at the University of Leeds in the UK, said the currently definition of the words is far from the original meaning, which harming our ability to communicate properly.
While acknowledging that language is constantly evolving, Dr Morgan said he is 'concerned' about words losing their meaning when their original sentiment was very specific and had a unique purpose. 'When the meaning of this word changes, we don’t have another way of describing it,' he said. Dr Morgan has also hit out at the use of the word woke — used to describe being progressive — as he says its original meaning, alerting people to avoid danger by 'staying woke', is being overwritten.
While acknowledging that language is constantly evolving, Dr Morgan said he is 'concerned' about words losing their meaning when their original sentiment was very specific and had a unique purpose The phrase 'stay woke' was first used by Blues singer Lead Belly in the 1930s as a warning to fellow African Americans to stay vigilant when moving through mor.
