Top definition
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 05, 2003
2
A literary device used in professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of staged events within the industry as "real" or "true", specifically the portrayal of competition, rivalries, and relationships between participants as being genuine and not of a staged or predetermined nature of any kind. Kayfabe has also evolved to become a code word of sorts for maintaining this "reality" within the direct or indirect presence of the general public.
by collectiveinspiration November 09, 2018
3
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 11, 2003
4
Wrestling term meaning "top secret." It refers to the practice of maintaining the illusion that wrestling was 100% genuine.
by fishmagic October 21, 2003
5
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
6
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