# Calling someone a troll- is it a rule violation or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 3, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378 "2003-09-03T19:18:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/1 "2003-09-03T19:18:13Z")
As of late especially in the post- **december** banning Pit there have been more then a few people who have taken to calling others troll’s often because they have different ideas then said person. Coldfire posted that we were not to make troll accusations or call other posters trolls. Yet as of late these calling other posters a troll posts have been reported, but nothing happens. Coldfire repeatedly posted in a thread where this happened today. This makes me think that maybe I am misunderstanding the rule then. Could we get a little clarification on this “rule”? Thanks in advance, me ps. no criticism is directly or indirectly meant by this post, so I posted it here rather then the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/2 "2003-09-03T20:51:00Z")
**bibliophage** answers your question just a couple threads down in “[Accusations of Sockpuppetosity](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=208769)”. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2003, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/3 "2003-09-03T20:51:21Z")
From the FAQ: > [@](#): > > **DNFTT** > Q: What does DNFTT mean? > A: Do not feed the troll. > > Q: What is a troll? > A: “Troll,” in the context of message boards and the like, describes somebody who is posting just to be confrontational or to raise hackles. > See Staff Report: What is a troll? (14-Apr-2000) > > Q: What should I do when I see a user “trolling” at the SDMB? > A: **Do not publicly accuse someone of trolling at the SDMB**. Use the “Report this post to a moderator” facility below the “trolling” post. Do not reply to the troll in any way in the thread, that will only encourage the troublemaker. > > Q: What if I’m not sure if the person is a troll? > A: Treat the person as a user in good standing. Respond to the post if you have something useful to add, otherwise say nothing. I don’t know how much more clarification you need, but that seems pretty well defined. Bolding mine. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/4 "2003-09-04T11:34:02Z")
Can we get an official ruling on whether “I think there’s a term for what you are, but we’re not allowed to say it”(which I seem to see all over the place) is the same as “I think you’re a troll”(which is verboten)? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/5 "2003-09-04T11:50:17Z")
**Mangetout** - why would you want to say anything at all? Is a simple “You’re an idiot” followed by reporting the post insufficient? Is anything to be gained by even hinting at an accusation? \ Then again, I’m from the ignore-them-and-maybe-they’ll-go-away school of non-confrontation. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/6 "2003-09-04T13:32:36Z")
It isn’t **me** that wants to say it; it seems like it is a lot of other folks. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/7 "2003-09-04T13:33:46Z")
Umm, I know what those older posts said “don’t do it” but people are doing it, being reported and nothing seems to be happening. So the question remains is it a rule violation or is it just something that is frowned upon- there is a _big_ difference. There also is the issue that **Mangetout** pointed out. I would prefer to hear what the adminstration has to say on this, if they do not mind. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/8 "2003-09-04T13:38:34Z")
The link that **wolfstu** posted quotes the FAQ, which specifically tells people not to do it. Although I guess you’re asking if it’s a **rule** or just a **guideline** … ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/9 "2003-09-04T18:38:53Z")
Just because nothing seems to be happening, does not mean that nothing is happening. The mods might, for instance, be e-mailing warnings to the offenders. If you’re reporting the posts, then your job is done. Don’t sweat it from there. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/10 "2003-09-05T00:06:05Z")
Yep. We do not want members accusing other members in public. When you see or suspect trollhood or other misbehaviours, just notify moderators via email. The thing is that trolls thrive on attention. If they are ignored (or seemingly ignored) in the public record, we deprive them of their jollies. I may have caused some of this current rash, inadvertently, since I did use the T-word in reference to a banned member’s behaviour. This was an Administrator, acting in Official Capacity, making a specific exception, and aimed at making a very clear point. That did not mean that the rule was changed. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-a-troll-is-it-a-rule-violation-or-not/199378/11 "2003-09-05T13:13:29Z")
Thanks for the post **C K Dexter Haven**! Have a good weekend. 🙂