Use of the word "Troll"

As far as I can tell. 90% of people on the internet use the word troll incorrectly. Therefore, I am making this post to explain what a troll is and what a troll isn't.

What a troll is:
-Someone who gets their kicks by trying to inspire an emotion in you. Some trolls try to make people mad. Some try to make people laugh. Some even tell really sad or inpirational stories to get people to cry. Some trolls have even been known to impersonate celebrities to make people really excited.

-Someone who thrives on drama, by turning people against each other and watching the ensuing hilarity.

-Anyone who replies to this rant by calling me a troll.


What a troll is not:
-Someone offering a differing viewpoint. (Unless it's overtly ridiculous, like "We should kill all of the mentally handicapped")

-Someone who misspoke or said something without thinking. (See also: Cliven Bundy "Negro" Speech)

-Someone who doesn't understand something or requests clarification.


Learn what the word means and please use it correctly. Don't call everyone who doesn't agree with you a troll.

a reply to: scolai

Also a word people use when they don't have any argument in a debate....

Backed into a corner? Call them a troll... prove you're an idiot...

a reply to: scolai

Get back under your bridge, you troll.

No one asked for your opinion!

Troll.....every member in congress and all those other politician's and all those that carry out their agendas.......Troll

a reply to: 19KTankCommander

Also, corporations that make a profit off of war and then get people to support them for doing so ... the ultimate trolls.

a reply to: scolai

I used to be called "Troll" back in High School. Not because of the interwebz though (they weren't invented yet), but rather because of my build. Short, stocky and muscular. (Yea, I played football )

My nickname has been besmirched!

We don't use that word over here sir, here are called shills and are accused (without prof) of being paid by the government to hide the truth.

a reply to: Indigent

That reminds me of occupy. Everyone called everyone else a troll, a shill, or a cop and nothing got done. Suprise suprise.

originally posted by: Indigent
We don't use that word over here sir, here are called shills and are accused (without prof) of being paid by the government to hide the truth.

yup...disagree once with something that has no proof....shill

I think I am going to get the boat ready so I can go trolling this summer. Trolling is fun.

In Michigan, 'troll' describes people who live in the lower peninsula

I'd say another example might be someone who maintains a position about something even after many other members have offered evidence that contradict their position - essentially prove them wrong - yet they still maintain that they are right.

Maybe the word for those people would be "moron"?

a reply to: scolai

I'll admit I've used the shill word before in the chemtrail forum, and thats probably the only place Id ever use it. I think that there are definately shills over there because they seem to be obsessed with debunking, they post a ton of threads/replies, and their words regularily contain condescension, arrogance and insults. Hallmarks of a shill imo.

There's my confession. Im not sorry nor do I ask for forgiveness.

a reply to: ScientiaFortisDefendit

I wouldn't go as far as to call them morons -- maybe they're just stuck in their ways and unteachable. It's not stupidity. It's ignorance.

Missed one: While fishing (for fish of course) to "troll" is to drop a baited line and drag it to see if anything takes the bait. Hook, line and sinker.

I agree with what you had to say. I am frustrated that people use the term wrong as well, but currently working on not caring.

At the end of the day, language is only what the majority agrees for it to be. For example: The word "literately" changed meaning because people kept using it wrong.

That's how the world works apparently...

Once in a while it fits. But mostly it doesn't. IMHO.