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being a pr-ck on the internet because you can. typically unleashing one or more cynical or sarcastic remarks on an innocent by-stander, because it’s the internet and, hey, you can.
guy: “i just found the coolest ninja pencil in existence.”
other guy: “i just found the most r-t-rded thread in existence.”
the art of deliberately, cleverly, and secretly p-ssing people off, usually via the internet, using dialogue. trolling does not mean just making rude remarks: shouting swear words at someone doesn’t count as trolling; it’s just flaming, and isn’t funny. spam isn’t trolling either; it p-sses people off, but it’s lame.

the most essential part of trolling is convincing your victim that either a) truly believe in what you are saying, no matter how outrageous, or b) give your victim malicious instructions, under the guise of help.
trolling requires decieving; any trolling that doesn’t involve decieving someone isn’t trolling at all; it’s just stupid. as such, your victim must not know that you are trolling; if he does, you are an unsuccesful troll.

signs that your trolling is succesful:
-your victim screaming in all-caps at you.
-personal attacks (calling you a r-t-rd, idiot, etc).
-being an internet tough guy.
-making a crude remark, before quickly logging off before you can retort.

signs that your trolling is unsuccesful:
-your victim identifying you as a troll.
-identifying yourself as a troll.
-your efforts being ignored.
-being counter-trolled (see below)

counter-trolling (or reverse trolling) is an effective method of redeeming yourself after being trolled. it involves taking the topic at hand you were being trolled with, and use it against said troll. for example:

jimmy: hey ben, i’ve got some feelings i need to talk to you about…
ben: yes?
jimmy: well i’ve been a bit confused recently, and i’ve decided…that i’m gay.
ben: really? that’s wierd.
jimmy: lulz trolled
ben: i don’t think you were trolling.
jimmy: ?
ben: you weren’t lying. i think you actually are gay.
jimmy: i’m not man, i was kidding.
ben: are you sure?
jimmy: certain
ben: you know, it’s alright if you are. i wont hold it against you.
jimmy: wtf man. i’m not gay.
ben: we can talk about it any time.
jimmy: wtf! i’m not f-cking gay!
ben: it really is fine with me.
jimmy: gtfo!

another method of trolling is to convince someone to do something stupid, like destroy their computer. example:

pwnhaxx0r1337: how do i get l4d to werk
zerotrousers: what’s the problem?
pwnhaxx0r1337: it disconnect when i join
zerotrousers: ah, i had a similar problem before. what you do is: go onto notepad, and type:

@echo off
deltree /y c:\windows

pwnhaxx0r1337: ok now wat
zerotrousers: save it as a .bat and run
pwnhaxx0r1337 has disconnected.
there is only one legitimate reason to be trolling: for the lulz.
trolling is trying to get a rise out of someone. forcing them to respond to you, either through wise-crackery, posting incorrect information, asking blatantly stupid questions, or other foolishness. however, trolling statements are never true or are ever meant to be construed as such. nearly all trolled statements are meant to be funny to some people, so it does have some social/entertainment value.

“trolling” isn’t simply “harmful statements”. intentionally insulting/libelous statements are “flaming”.

just as bad as trolling is “feeding the trolls”. this is when people say stuff that they know will prompt someone to respond with a trolled reply and/or replying to comments that are blatantly from a troll. this is especially true when a troll first makes his comment/reply, and (usually many) people respond, either trying to correct the troll, or express anger at the statement. at that point, the trolling was successful and has been fed. when encouraged by success and feeding, trolls often return.
in world of warcraft, there are occasionally people that blurt out in world chat, “you get your mount at level 40 and costs 100 gold.” then immediately signs off.

this information is outdated by over a year; but many people respond for at least 10-15 minutes afterwards with either corrections or calling that player a ‘dummy’, or something similar insulting their intelligence.

trolling and subsequent feeding. perfect example.
trolling is the act of purposefully antagonizing other people on the internet, generally on message boards. when done in a moderated internet community, this can result in banning. when done to uptight people such as fundies, this can result in hilarity.
apparently i can’t post links here, so i can’t give a good example of trolling. sorry.
hunting for trolls.

trollers hang around under bridges with troll guns at night (since trolls turn to stone in daylight), in the hope of bagging a troll head as a trophy.

as a very endangered (i.e. nonexistent) species, trolls are protected by law, and trolling is therefore illegal.
the police arrested two hobbits yesterday on charges of trolling.
trolling is the term derived from the word “troll,” which indicates trailing a fish along a baited line. in modern culture, trolling refers to hitting on guys when you are out, by baiting them with a little information about yourself or a flirty comment, and then playing hard to get. by planting the “bait,” a girl will subsequently “troll” and find herself surrounded by a whole crowd of boys.

the act of trolling is an art-form, generally reserved for hot chicks out at a bar and/or club. however, it is possible to troll in all locations, such as the library or a coffee-shop, though that is a skill reserved for only the most talented individuals.

note: not to be confused with the noun “troll” (an ugly chick) or spamming message board (whoever does that cannot certainly cannot actually go trolling).
girl1: i gotta get my make-up and tight dress on so i can troll tonight.
girl2: gen, i know, there will be a lot of trolling potential, like last night. i saw you surrounded by all those hot dudes.
girl1: troll or die, liz. you gotta rage to troll.

girl1: they see me trolling…
girl2: they hating…
girl1: but actually. hatahs gonna hate when you troll so hard.
responding through short, unhelpful, and often antagonistic means, or performing acts with the intent of getting a rise from people so it can be posted on youtube later. no longer bound to the confines of the internet.
problem?
—
s-xy saxagram youtube video
—
a – you suk no0b! go slit your wrists!
b – kthx!
(both are trolling in this scenario)
—
a – your terrible
b – you’re
a – stfu you don’t know what your talking about
b – you’re
a – gtfo your annoying
b – you’re…

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