Term in pro wrestling. Kayfabe was the unsaid rule that the wrestlers should stay in character during the show and in public appearences in order to maintain a feeling of reality (albeit suspended) among the fans
by Bigrattus June 5, 2003
Wrestling term derived from "carnival talk" for the word "keep". Originally would have been pronounced more like "keel-feep". When said quickly, it sounds like kay-fabe. Used as shorthand term for "keep quiet", or "keep secret".
The word would not originally have been used as part of a sentence. It would have conveyed the meaning of a sentence in itself. The whole point of carnival talk was to speak quickly, and in manner that the "rubes" couldn't understand.
by Prof. R. September 12, 2003
Wrestling term meaning "top secret." It refers to the practice of maintaining the illusion that wrestling was 100% genuine.
by fishmagic October 21, 2003
the use of terms (at one time unknown to fans) that would conceal the illusion of scripted wrestling. comes from the pig-latin pronunciation of the word, fake (akefay)
by Amarac Honj April 27, 2012
to lie or bullshit to; withhold information from; to purposely mislead or deceive; to make somebody believe something not true.
I kayfabed (to) that chick when I told her I had beaucoups of money; I'm actually a welfare recipient.
by weave March 17, 2003
The word can have multiple meanings. Mainly, it means to keep quiet about a situation, usually in a social setting. It can also mean to turn down or deny an opportunity for something.
I don't want him to find out about the bike, so kayfabe that.
Jen was tryin to hook up last weekend, but I had to kayfabe it.
Jen was tryin to hook up last weekend, but I had to kayfabe it.
by fldebo June 28, 2007