is there a way to get a glossary of terms on here ?

[AllaN01Bear]

last several weeks there have been words that i dont know the meaning of , such as astroturfing. what does that mean? what does gaslighting mean other than for street lights ?

[MontanaMama]

1. Here you go...

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astroturfing

[inanna]

2. Gaslighting...

is a form of psychological abuse. Intended to make you think you are going crazy.

[RockRaven]

3. They're not unique to DU. Google or wikipedia/wiktionary could tell you...

Astroturf = fake grass-roots (usually sponsored by corporations/PACs/SuperPACs)

Gas-lighting = lying about the past so as to make your interlocutor doubt their own memory of it (it's a movie reference, originally)

[spooky3]

4. here's my attempt to answer your questions:

1) astroturf: a fake "grass roots movement." If a big corporation or political organization pays people to protest, for example, but does not reveal that it is doing so, what appears to be a group of disgruntled people expressing genuine views really is not.

2) gaslighting: denying the reality of what someone else is saying, maybe accompanied by accusing them of being overly sensitive, not very bright, etc.

[underpants]

5. You can highlight a word or phrase on your phone

And the Look up option will pop up. Usually gives you a good quick summary or definition

[Tech]

6. I use Google a lot, put in a word and then check urban dictionary definition.

[Phoenix61]

7. Gaslight is from the movie Gaslight

Definitely a great old classic. Highly recommend it.
https://www.moviefone.com/movie/gaslight/6103/main/