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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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • sock puppetry, noun
  • sock puppeteer, noun
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Other Words From

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

There’s no fraud, there are no bots, there’s no sock puppets.

From Digiday

Based on his sock puppet, I expected him to be a burly bearded giant clad in plaid—basically, a Canadian Paul Bunyan.

A Syrian YouTube sock puppet show reveals Assad to be the fool that he is.

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