Paltergeisting (verb, from “paltering” + “poltergeist”)
Core definition:
To “haunt” or destabilize someone’s understanding of reality by using technically true but misleading communication, so that they walk away confused, doubting themselves, or unable to tell what was real.
It’s not just paltering (using truth to mislead).
Paltergeisting = the active act of creating that haunting, foggy after-effect.
Core definition:
To “haunt” or destabilize someone’s understanding of reality by using technically true but misleading communication, so that they walk away confused, doubting themselves, or unable to tell what was real.
It’s not just paltering (using truth to mislead).
Paltergeisting = the active act of creating that haunting, foggy after-effect.
• “He didn’t lie about where he was, he just said ‘I stepped out for a bit.’ Left out the part where he stepped out with his ex. That’s straight paltergeisting.”
• “Talking to that company rep was wild. Every answer was technically true and somehow I knew less after each email. I’ve been paltergeisted.”
• “Stop paltergeisting me and just say what you actually did.”
• “Talking to that company rep was wild. Every answer was technically true and somehow I knew less after each email. I’ve been paltergeisted.”
• “Stop paltergeisting me and just say what you actually did.”
by dogdog December 2, 2025
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noun \ pal-ter-gyste \
1. The lingering, haunting confusion left behind when someone misleads you using only technically true statements.
Not a clean lie—more like reality bent just enough that your brain keeps replaying the conversation.
2. A person, conversation, or system that “haunts” your mind because everything sounded normal on the surface, but the intent underneath was deceptive.
noun \ pal-ter-gyste \
1. The lingering, haunting confusion left behind when someone misleads you using only technically true statements.
Not a clean lie—more like reality bent just enough that your brain keeps replaying the conversation.
2. A person, conversation, or system that “haunts” your mind because everything sounded normal on the surface, but the intent underneath was deceptive.
“Alexandrea didn’t realize it at the time, but the way the salesperson spun the Ashley store furniture scam in Chico was a total paltergeist—every line was technically true, but months later he was still haunted by how the deal actually worked.”
Years later, when Alex put the pieces together about what really happened, he realized it wasn’t just betrayal—it was a paltergeist. Every ‘honest’ answer had been crafted to keep him compliant while the damage was done behind his back, and now those conversations replay in his head like a horror reel he never consented to watch.
Years later, when Alex put the pieces together about what really happened, he realized it wasn’t just betrayal—it was a paltergeist. Every ‘honest’ answer had been crafted to keep him compliant while the damage was done behind his back, and now those conversations replay in his head like a horror reel he never consented to watch.
by dogdog December 2, 2025
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