smurf account

Coined by Geoff Fraizer and Greg Boyko, who played the online multiplayer game Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness under the names Shlonglor and Warp. The pair had become so proficient at the game that few people would play against them, so, in order to avoid scaring off potential competitors, the pair created alternate accounts named PapaSmurf and Smurfette.[1][2]

• Audio (AU)

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smurf account (plural smurf accounts)

1. (Internet slang) An alternate computer account used by a known or experienced user in order to deceptively self-present as someone naïve or less experienced.
   • 2002, Nojd, “Re: Age of Wonders 2 Beta Demo -- Feedback Survey”, in Usenet comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic:

     This policy has dramatically reduced the problems with smurf accounts, spam, flaming, and various types of bad behaviour on the forums.

   • 2003, Phoenix-D, “Re: On My Identity Theft”, in Usenet alt.fan.furry:

     Might help if you remember to change back to your smurf account, hmm? :P

   • 2007, Ron, “Re: Ken's checking accounts KANE'S HERO speaks”, in Usenet alt.support.child-protective-services:

     And like that little kid I spoke of in another thread, he compounds his lie's with more lies. So many that he has trouble keeping track of them all, which is why he keeps getting caught posting from the wrong smurf account.

• sock puppet