blackfishing
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
The practice of appropriating signifiers of black identity, such as darkening the skin, or wearing traditionally black hairstyles.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Judging from not only various records of campus life but also the numerous Instagram accounts of women appearing as "black" personalities — a phenomenon known as "blackfishing" — many do not know better.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “blackfishing” mean?
The practice of appropriating signifiers of black identity, such as darkening the skin, or wearing traditionally black hairstyles.
Is “blackfishing” formal or informal?
blackfishing is generally slang.