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My assumption, which dates back to the first time I encountered the word "troll" in its usenet sense, was that it derived from exactly that metaphor. Trolling
by waterlesscloud 14y ago
My assumption, which dates back to the first time I encountered the word "troll" in its usenet sense, was that it derived from exactly that metaphor.
Trolling for a reaction. Spreading out some chum, setting the line, seeing who bites.
- mikeash 14y agoYep indeed. From the Jargon File: > Derives from the phrase “trolling for newbies” which in turn comes from mainstream “trolling”, a style of fishing in which one trails bait through a likely spot hoping for a bite. http://catb.org/jargon/html/T/troll.html http://catb.org/jargon/html/T/troll.html