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I believe the etymology is from the verb troll, "carefully and systematically search an area for something" "fish by trailing a baited line along behind a boat.
by goto11 7y ago
I believe the etymology is from the verb troll, "carefully and systematically search an area for something" "fish by trailing a baited line along behind a boat."
- abraae 7y agoTIL. That makes a defamation lawsuit seen even more farcical.
- goto11 7y agoOf course etymology is not meaning. While the origin of the term is neutral, there is no doubt that "patent troll" is used as a derogatory term. But in order to count as defamation it also have to be false. But since there is no clear agreed-upon definition of "patent troll", it is impossible to prove whether it is a false statement or not.
- jacobolus 7y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolling_(fishing) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolling_(fishing) http://www.flamewarriorsguide.com/warriorshtm/troller.htm http://www.flamewarriorsguide.com/warriorshtm/troller.htm
- awirth 7y agoEtymonline suggests it might be a combination of both definitions: https://www.etymonline.com/word/troll https://www.etymonline.com/word/troll
- coolgeek 7y agoThe word that you are describing here is trawling, not trolling. I admit though, that trolling does admit some sense of what trawling defines.