Dictionary

sadfish en · VERB

Etymology

Blend of sad + catfish. Equivalent to sad + -fish.

Meanings

1. (intransitive, neologism) To post about one's problems online for the sake of attracting attention and sympathy; to engage in sadfishing.
   • Those with what pop psychology calls an anxious attachment style – characterized by a fear of abandonment, a strong need for reassurance, and codependent tendencies – are reportedly more prone to "sadfish" online. 2024 June 13, Olivia Hebert, “The cringey internet trend so many are guilty of: What is Sadfishing?”, in The Independent, London: Independent News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 15 Jul 2024:
   • So we've all probably sadfished offline before, but online, there's a whiff of social desperation to it, just like there is any time people overshare on the internet. 2023 September 7, “Why People On Social Media Feel Compelled To Share 'Sadfishing' Posts”, in HuffPost, archived from the original on 09 Jun 2024:

Forms

Relateds

sadfishing