sock puppet

[ sok puhp-it ]

noun

1. a hand puppet made out of a sock.
2. a person or group whose actions are controlled by another; a puppet:

   The politician was suspected to be a sock puppet for the oil company he'd invested in.

3. Digital Technology.
   1. Also called sock. a false name or identity assumed by an internet user, often to deceive or to preserve the user's anonymity:

      The forum is moderated by Bob, and has a contributor named Tom, a sock puppet operated by Bob.

   2. Also called sock,. an online user account created for such purposes:

      I'm posting from a sock puppet because I don't want my boss to see this.

verb (used without object)

, Digital Technology.

1. to assume a false identity or name on the internet, often to deceive or to preserve the user's anonymity:

   The contest succeeded, despite people's tendencies to sock puppet and upvote their own work.

sock puppet

noun

1. a simple puppet made from a sock and worn over one hand
2. an extra online identity created by a member of a discussion forum, etc, to agree with opinions submitted under his or her usual online name

Derived Forms

• sock puppetry, noun
• sock puppeteer, noun

Other Words From

• sock-pup·pet verb (used without object) sockpuppeted sockpuppeting

Word History and Origins

Origin of sock puppet¹

First recorded in 1959 sock puppet fordef 1; in 1990–95 sock puppet fordef 2; and in 2000–05 sock puppet fordef 3

Example Sentences

“Roger Ailes’ fake news empire: Former Fox News head presided over a panoply of phony ‘sock puppet’ blogs,” Salon, April 18, 2017.

From Slate

“You think someone who likes an inanimate object is like this sad guy, with the sock puppet with the lipstick on it, you know?” he said.

From Seattle Times

“But this isn’t a sock puppet — she says things that aren’t scripted.”

From Seattle Times

And yet, with all their millions, this group could only get 51 people to follow its sock puppet Clarence Thomas “fan account” on Facebook.

From Slate

What if Kevin McCarthy and his MTG sock puppet talked about the prolonged, unrelenting heatwave that has scorched the planet for a record-breaking three weeks?

From Salon