# confused newcomer

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-newcomer/8691>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 16, 2000, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-newcomer/8691 "2000-03-16T06:31:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-newcomer/8691/1 "2000-03-16T06:31:00Z")

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Just what is troll and why should’nt I feed them?

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**Author:** ![Beruang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-newcomer/8691/2 "2000-03-16T06:44:00Z")

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“Troll” is a derogatory term for a person who posts an inflammatory or provocative message for the (assumed) express purpose of stirring up a fight, rather than for the increase of human knowledge, which we all know is the one true purpose of this board.

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“The dawn of a new era is felt and not measured.” Walter Lord

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**Author:** ![dwtno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@dwtno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwtno)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2000, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-newcomer/8691/3 "2000-03-16T14:21:00Z")

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In a bid for accuracy, I feel compelled to point out that by traditional usage, a ‘troll’ is the questionable message itself (derived from a fishing analogy - you toss out an intentionally inflamatory post and see who bites). A person who trolls is a troller. Of course today, the term has gotten confused with the more recent ‘troll as monster’ comparison.

By this definition, it would be better to say “Don’t Take the Bait” rather than “Don’t Feed the Trolls” although the basic sentiment is the same no matter how you interpret.

All in the spirit of fighting ignorance, of course.

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**Author:** ![Beruang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2000, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-newcomer/8691/4 "2000-03-17T05:47:00Z")

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dwtno –

Completely accurate. Thanks for setting the record straight.

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“The dawn of a new era is felt and not measured.” Walter Lord