Catwashing

The alteration of an animal's appearance to make it resemble a cat. Catwashing is often accomplished through editing or the use of generative AI.

Wow, catwashing has to be one of the weirdest things in meme culture...

I know right? I saw an edited image of a catwashed dalmatian yesterday and it was really strange.

Catwashing by janxjanxjanx June 16, 2026

Catfishing 

The phenomenon of internet predators that fabricate online identities and entire social circles to trick people into emotional/romantic relationships (over a long period of time).

Possible motivations: revenge, loneliness, curiosity, boredom

The term catfishing was inspired by the 2010 documentary "Catfish."

Gwen was worried that her online boyfriend was a phoney after she saw a TV program about Catfishing.

Catfishing by 2Sweet&Naive February 1, 2013

emotional catfishing

when a fuckboy establishes a connection with you to lure you in and then proceeds to expose their true fuckboy tendencies

I hate emotional catfishing I thought we had something for sure. turns out he just wanted to fuck me

emotional catfishing by anniesnotokay512 July 25, 2019

Catfishing 

Hiding who you really are to hook someone into an online relationship using Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, MySpace or by cell phone.

Guy 1: "Hey so I met this new girl online! She is so hot!"
Guy 2: "Have you ever seen her in person?"
Guy 1:"No, does that matter?"
Guy 2: "Better make sure she's not a catfish.."
Guy 1: "You think she's catfishing?!"

Catfishing by Hope Swan January 20, 2014

Catfishing for compliments

When someone lacking in confidence creates a hotter online persona to get attention from the opposite sex.

Morgan had low self esteem so she made a fake profile using her gorgeous cousin Heather's pics and went catfishing for compliments.

Catfishing for compliments by Drinny5 September 6, 2013

Social Catfishing 

The process in which a social media manager creates multiple fake profiles only to engage with brands in order to boost the brands popularity. Also the practice of a social media manager liking and commenting every status that is written from every brand page he or she is in possession of. See catfishing

If I manage Facebook Pages for Clients A,B,C,D and E, I should have them all talk to each other all hours of the day on Facebook to portray the appearance that my clients have deep relationships with all these brands and endorse everything I say too. It would also be a good idea to have them sell anything I can profit from. It's like catfishing for social media, only it's Social Catfishing.

Social Catfishing by Needle Nose Ned Ryerson February 21, 2013

Reverse Catfishing 

Pretending to be much uglier than you really are online.

Guy 1: So how was your date?
Guy 2: I had doubts about dating that girl because of her ugly photos online, but in person she was gorgeous and seductive. I was a victim of reverse catfishing. I am going to therapy now to deal with it.

Reverse Catfishing by Eric Kazinsky July 3, 2017