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

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.

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast