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Catch Phrase| 马甲(mǎ jiǎ)

Writer:   | Editor: Stephanie Yang  | From:  | Updated: 2017-04-27

Meaning:

Literally “马甲” means “waistcoat,” but Chinese netizens use it to mean a “sockpuppet,” which is an online identity used for purposes of deception. The English term, a reference to the manipulation of a simple hand puppet made from a sock, originally referred to a false identity assumed by a member of an Internet community who spoke to, or about, themselves while pretending to be another person. The term now includes other misleading uses of online identities, such as those created to praise, defend or support a person or organization, to manipulate public opinion, or to circumvent a suspension or ban from a website. The Chinese term reportedly came from a joke where a tiger mistakes a tortoise for a snake with a waistcoat on. Anyway, the idea is: A waistcoat helps you hide your true identity.

Example:

A: 昨天论坛上可热闹了,你怎么没来?

Zuótiān lùntán shàng kě rènào le, nǐ zěnme méi lái?

There was heated debate at the online forum yesterday. Why weren’t you present?

B: 我不想参与争论,用了个马甲号看热闹。

Wǒ bù xiǎng cānyǔ zhēnglùn, yòng le gè mǎjiǎ hào kàn rènào。

I didn’t want to join the debate and logged on using a sockpuppet.

(First editor: Debra Li)