astroturfing

English - English

Definition of astroturfing in English English dictionary

The disguising of an orchestrated campaign as a "grass-roots" event – i.e., a spontaneous upwelling of public opinion

The disguising of an orchestrated campaign as a spontaneous upwelling of public opinion

Synonyms

front organization

Etymology

() From AstroTurf (“a synthetic substitute for grass”), as wordplay on "grass roots", as if "fake grass roots". Attributed to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in an unidentified 1985 public statement: " fellow from Texas can tell the difference between grassroots and Astroturf." (Henry Young, , Illinois Business Law Journal, 2 November 2009)