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Buster Keaton using his tie as a disguise

A gun disguised as a maglite

Hitler depicted in possible disguises by the United States Secret Service in 1944

Disguises change appearance with costume or other means of deception so that true identity is hidden. Camouflage is one type of disguise for people, animals and objects. Hats, glasses, change in hair style or wigs, plastic surgery, and make-up are also used.

Disguises are used by criminals such as bank robbers and by spies seeking to avoid identification. A well-known person or celebrity may choose to go "incognito" in order to avoid unwelcome press attention. In comic books and films disguises are used by superheroes and in science fiction by aliens. Dressing up in costumes is a Halloween tradition.

[edit] In fiction

In comic book and superhero stories, disguises are used to hide secret identities and keep special powers secret from ordinary people. For example, Superman passes himself off as Clark Kent, and Spiderman disguises himself in a costume so that he cannot be recognized as Peter Parker.

In science fiction, aliens often take on a human appearance wearing "human suits" as a disguise.

Disguise is sometimes used in criminal activity and in spying, and is a common trope in detective fiction and in spy stories. Sherlock Holmes often disguised himself as somebody else to avoid being recognized.

[edit] In propaganda

The use of disguise is sometimes employed in propaganda. A proposal may be disguised in order to hide an unpopular motivation or to keep effects associated with the proposal from being fully disclosed. This is a form of political spin.

"Rationalisation" and "transfer" are used within the techniques of propaganda generation. For example, an act of war may be depicted as a "peace" mission.

[edit] See also

• Impersonator
• Secret identity
• Alter ego

[edit] References

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