APAD: catfish

Definition:

    someone who creates a fake identity or persona online to deceive others

 

Examples:

   1) I thought I had met the perfect guy online, but it turned out he was just

      a catfish using someone else's pictures.

 

   2) She thought she was talking to a famous actor on social media, but it

      turned out to be a catfish pretending to be him.

 

Etymology:

   The term gained wider popularity after the release of the 2010 documentary

   film "Catfish." Synonyms faker, imposter

 

- englishdaily626.com [edited]

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I parachuted onto America decades ago from faraway and made a living in a narrow

profession and as a cog in a giant machine. The bubble was comfortable at first

but over time became a strait-jacket, a windowless dungeon with one trap door.

 

As a transplant, I've felt like staggering in a huge dark karst cave as I

fumbled around to gain footing in the new habitat. Learning new words gives me

hope.

 

Around the time of the documentary (I haven't watched), I was banned from a

forum and adopted the current ID. I'm excited to learn after 15 years what I did

was part catfishing. I am only half hip and totally incompetent, however, as

I've reaped no love or money after regaining my voice.