Originally posted by Insomniatric
Why do they call it a "sock"?
For two reasons, I assume:
1. Sock because it is related to proxy servers, as trolls consistantly use proxy servers to hide their true IPs to avoid showing up on IP checkers that easily flags repeat troll accounts.
2. Some say "sock-puppet" because they are similar to sock-puppets. They put on a different sock (their username and user account setup such as avatar, sig) but they are still the same hand underneath the sock. (Hand means the person.) So, they are a sock-troll...constantly putting on other socks to look like someone else.
The analogy works. I'm not sure why they chose socks. Maybe beause "chameleon" is much too long. So is "sock-puppet." Just assume when someone says "are you a sock?" they mean "are you a sock-puppet troll?"
I hadn't run across this terminology until I got to KMC. When I wa a mod at another board, we called them trolls and repeat trolls. However, checking the internet, I don't think KMC is the only one who calls them sock-trolls.
Here's a full article with a better explanation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sockpuppet_(Internet)