When a person has earphones in apparently
listening to music, but in reality listening to
other people's conversations, usually about how creepy that person is.
Other people think he's not paying attention because he's jamming to music, so it's a very affective illusion.
Usually employed by creepers, stalkers, or when a person happens to overhear something about themselves, in which they turn down or off their music to hear what is being said.
Another similar illusion is
pretending to sleep. People then open up and start talking about things they may not while one is awake.
"
I don't think we can talk right now. Jake
looks like he's earphone phaking."
"I was earphone phaking
the other day, and I heard Amanda likes Joe!"
"Man! I hate Mike! He's such a earphone phaker!"