vish

American  

[vish] / vɪʃ /

verb (used without object)

1. to try to obtain financial or other confidential information from people by placing phone calls, typically automated, that seem to be from a legitimate organization, usually a financial institution.

   an increase in vishing, facilitated by VoIP, an internet-based phone system.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a victim in this way.

   I was vished and now my bank account is empty!

Other Word Forms

• visher
  noun

Etymology

Origin of vish

First recorded in 2005–10; v(oice) + (ph)ish

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vish

"I vish da struck a hundred of dem snags alretty!" cried Hans.

From The Rover Boys in Southern Waters or The Deserted Steam Yacht by Edward Stratemeyer

"Mein friendt!" said I, looking at him very keenly, "do you vish to earn a sovereign?"

From First Person Paramount by Ambrose Pratt

Three halfpence, marm, for this here pair— I only vish as you vould try ’em; I’m sure you’ll say the price is fair— Come marm, a penny if you’ll buy ’em.”

From A History of the Cries of London Ancient and Modern by Charles Hindley

I vish I make a swift voyage dis time.

From Boy Scouts in the North Sea The Mystery of a Sub by G. Harvey (George Harvey) Ralphson

I vish I got dem Chunchusers—or vot you call dem—here.

From At the Fall of Port Arthur Or, A Young American in the Japanese Navy by Edward Stratemeyer