spoof

[ spoof ]

noun

1. a mocking imitation of someone or something, usually light and good-humored; lampoon or parody:

   The show was a spoof of college life.

2. a hoax; prank.

verb (used with object)

1. to mock (something or someone) lightly and good-humoredly; kid.
2. to fool by a hoax; play a trick on, especially one intended to deceive.
3. to trick (electronic devices, as radar), by interrupting or otherwise corrupting data in order to avoid detection.
4. Digital Technology. to misrepresent (the identity of a party or the origin of data) in a communication, in order to misdirect digital authentication or other security measures: Suspects spoofed caller ID when they phoned in the anonymous threats. Compare phish ( def ).

   Hackers spoofed the IP to fool the network into providing access.

   Suspects spoofed caller ID when they phoned in the anonymous threats.

   The sender’s email address was spoofed to fool the company’s spam filters.

verb (used without object)

1. to scoff at something lightly and good-humoredly; kid:

   The campus paper was always spoofing about the regulations.

spoof

/ spuːf /

noun

1. a mildly satirical mockery or parody; lampoon

   a spoof on party politics

2. a good-humoured deception or trick; prank

verb

1. to indulge in a spoof of (a person or thing)
2. to communicate electronically under a false identity

Derived Forms

• ˈspoofer, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoof¹

First recorded in 1885–90; after a game invented and named by Arthur Roberts (1852–1933), British comedian

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoof¹

C19: coined by A. Roberts (1852–1933), English comedian, to designate a game of his own invention

Example Sentences

It has been quoted by congressional lawmakers, spoofed by Marvel and slyly referenced on “Jeopardy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Baldwin is the latest star to return to the series as part of their election spoofs.

From Salon

He had already been the star of his own variety show on Canadian television, “The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour,” where he anchored “Weekend Update”-like segments spoofing the news.

From Los Angeles Times

The spoof opens with the squeaky-clean Manning playing touch football with the group, encouraging everyone in the huddle to practice teamwork and have fun.

From Los Angeles Times

An FBI affidavit, filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, flagged the spoof Post site as just one of 32 domains that the U.S. government identified as part of a Kremlin propaganda initiative.

From Salon

Related Words

• burlesque
• caricature
• parody
• prank
• satire