The term "catfish" has two main meanings:
- It refers to a type of freshwater fish with long tactile barbels.
- More commonly in recent years, "catfish" means a person who creates a fake personal profile on social media or dating sites with deceptive purposes, usually to trick or defraud others. This can involve using fake photos, false details, and fabricated stories to lure victims into online relationships or scams. The practice is called "catfishing," and the person who does it is the "catfish".
The online catfish typically avoids video chats, gives inconsistent information, and may ask for money while isolating the victim from friends or family. This deceptive behavior is often motivated by financial gain, emotional manipulation, or cyberbullying.
The term gained popularity after the 2010 documentary "Catfish," which followed a real case of online deception.
In summary, "catfish" is most widely understood as someone pretending to be someone else online to deceive others.
