sock puppet

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word sock puppet. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word sock puppet, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say sock puppet in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word sock puppet you have here. The definition of the word sock puppet will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofsock puppet, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: sockpuppet

English

A physical sock puppet (1).

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

  • Audio (Southern England)(file)

Noun

sock puppet (plural sock puppets)

  1. A puppet made from a sock placed over a hand.
  2. Synonym of puppet: A person completely controlled by another.
  3. (Internet, derogatory) An alternative pseudonymous online account, especially one used for abuse.
    Synonyms: sock, smurf account
    • 2009, Andrew Lih, The Wikipedia Revolution, page 303:
      Trying to prove that a new user is simply a previous user in a new sock puppet is quite hard for the ordinary user and even administrators.
    • 2014, Timothy R. Levine, Encyclopedia of Deception, Vol. II, s.v. Sockpuppetry:
      The Internet has created many opportunities for online voting. Unscrupulous people will create sock puppets in order to stuff online ballot boxes. In other cases, a sock puppeteer may create multiple identities to support arguments, voice opinions, or otherwise create the online illusion that may people support the sock puppeteer. This practice is called a "Sybil attack"

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

sock puppet (third-person singular simple present sock puppets, present participle sock puppeting, simple past and past participle sock puppeted)

  1. (Wikimedia jargon) To create or use a sock puppet (alternative user account).

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia