Okay, it's a dumb question. But, when I first started posting here I had no idea. And, still I am not exactly sure!!!! Could someone please explain exactly what a troll is? So I gather it is an undercover poster, but who and for what purpose? I think many who are green to chat boards will appreciate this question.

This question is asked and answered almost every week but here goes: The term troll refers to the act of "trolling" as in fishing. A "troll" will post a question--usually of a questionable or tasteless nature--and then wait to see "who takes the bait" by responding.

Trolls also wait under bridges for tasty goats!

AL

casuald

Michael Moore is a troll. Take the suit off him and Rush Limbaugh is a troll also.

atilla---shmo in a previous posting says it all

uh ya, you may want to look at my previous posts even further back then you obviously did, (that in itself is a trollism). The "shmo" was an inside joke that you wouldn't possibly get because you weren't trolling at that time.

Thanks! Shane, your answer really says it all. Sorry to ask again, but I did a search for "what is a troll?" and not much came up. Guess the question was imbedded in posts. Okay, so now I know what a troll is, but WHY does he troll? Sounds a bit sick to me. Oh, yeah, Shane already answered my question. Duh!

There are all kinds of trolls: to make people angry (hopefully), to fool others into believing something is true when it's not, to dog certain targeted individuals, etc.

The success of a troll is measured by the number of responses.

wtggirl- Yes it is more than a little bit weird, a distant relation to internet stalking IMO.

Yawn,...snore. yes, this question is ALWAYS asked. please do a search, you will get loads of answers.

Did a second search. Seems it has been since july of last year since the question was in the title. But there were a lot of great responses to the same question there for anyone interested. I just had to go back a long way as the other things the search pulled up had the question embedded in an unrelated post. Boy, some are so touchy! Thanks to those who answered my question!

I have been reading some other posts where trolls are "identified". I have yet to see the description mentally unstable ! Seems some people may not be able to control their urges to stir up trouble and/or ask inappropriate questions.

A "troll" is anyone with absolutely nothing useful to offer.

Anyone can easily recognize and ignore them.