To ghost or not to ghost

Many years ago someone told me about being "ghosted" - they were indignant and I through it was funny how they felt entitled to a reply from someone they were reaching out to for help (this was in a professional situation).

I have often thought of how this term went from being applied to a personal relationship where someone disappears from your life in an established/ semi-established relationship without an explanation, to a professional situation.

And why is it that I hear over and over again about millennials & Gen Z ghosting, why isn't Gen X being accused of it, if it's such a common "thing" today! Do we have excellent communication skills and the courage to convey hurtful things or have we done it so long without it being labeled as "ghosting" that we fly under the radar.

In the Gen X language you are just busy, forgetful, maybe mean or mad, or just don't care, or perhaps the hints you left should have been enough to get the message through...

You are not "Ghosting" because you were "Caspering" all along :-)

In case you are wondering what that is, here is an article on "Caspering" https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2023/10/19/a-psychologist-explains-why-caspering-is-a-better-alternative-to-ghosting/