# Is calling somebody a troll an insult? Or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 7, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185 "2015-01-07T02:58:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/1 "2015-01-07T02:58:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Violations of good manners and common courtesy constitute jerkhood, and are a bannable offense. If you must flame, go the forum called BBQ Pit and insult as you please. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697084&postcount=2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697084&postcount=2) In my perception, calling somebody a troll is a grave insult on the internets. Especially on a board that bans people for trolling. But it seems unclear if it’s considered an insult in this sub form, About This Message Board. So is it an insult or not? ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/2 "2015-01-07T03:05:34Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/3 "2015-01-07T03:12:45Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697084&postcount=2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697084&postcount=2) > > In my perception, calling somebody a troll is a grave insult on the internets. Especially on a board that bans people for trolling. > > But it seems unclear if it’s considered an insult in this sub form, About This Message Board. > > So is it an insult or not? It is an insult anywhere outside The BBQ Pit. If you have seen someone hurling that insult in ATMB, have you reported it? Or are you just opening a new thread to ask a previously answered question? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/4 "2015-01-07T03:25:26Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > It is an insult anywhere outside The BBQ Pit. > If you have seen someone hurling that insult in ATMB, have you reported it? It’s not clear if describing somebody as trolling is the same as calling them a troll. It certainly seems like an insult, as well as skirting the rules. > [@2015 Housecleaning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-housecleaning/708724/1): > > It’s 100% trollery but worse, it’s pure stupidity. > [@2015 Housecleaning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-housecleaning/708724/44): > > trolling > [@2015 Housecleaning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-housecleaning/708724/49): > > There is so much trolling > [@tomndebb](#): > > Or are you just opening a new thread to ask a previously answered question? I want to know if it’s an insult or not, to describe somebody, in this sub forum, as being a troll. Or, trolling, either way the intent is clear enough. It’s an insult. (consider if the same was being said about you, is it insulting?) I just want a clear understanding of the rules here. Is it an insult or not? ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/5 "2015-01-07T15:21:17Z")
The principle involved is clear: if you take issue with something you’ve read on this board, direct your wrath at the post, not the poster. Examples: “This argument is trollery” = no problem. “You’re a troll” = insult. If you see a post in which someone is attempting to skirt this rule, please report it and we’ll take a look at it. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/6 "2015-01-07T16:25:30Z")
Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/7 "2015-01-07T17:34:29Z")
> [@jimbuff314](#): > > nm +1 ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/8 "2015-01-07T18:21:50Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > “This argument is trollery” = no problem. [Since when?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=650592) Are we able to do what Ed Zotti just today said we can or not? ---
**Author:** ![emcee2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emcee2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emcee2k)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/9 "2015-01-07T18:36:40Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > “This argument is trollery” = no problem. > > “You’re a troll” = insult Really? If an argument is “trollery”, isn’t the person who made it, by definition, a troll? ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/10 "2015-01-07T18:40:09Z")
You’ll excuse me, it wasn’t my intention to announce some new departure. I’m seeking clarification. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/11 "2015-01-07T18:49:35Z")
> [@](#): > > NOTE:It is against Straight Dope Message Board policy to accuse someone of trolling outside the Pit forum. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6241129&postcount=1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6241129&postcount=1) Has this changed? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/12 "2015-01-07T19:29:30Z")
> [@Ed\_Zotti](#): > > I’m seeking clarification. So am I. Because the three examples I used, from this sub forum, seem like rule violations, but it’s not clear. > [@I've been warned for accusing another of trolling.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-warned-for-accusing-another-of-trolling/620835/17): > > Accusing someone else of trolling is an insult… > [@I've been warned for accusing another of trolling.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-warned-for-accusing-another-of-trolling/620835/24): > > It’s a pretty clear cut case of saying someone is trolling here and that’s against the rules. > [@I've been warned for accusing another of trolling.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-warned-for-accusing-another-of-trolling/620835/12): > > It’s a well-known board rule, and you broke it. I’m not really seeing the problem. It’s confusing is what it is. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/13 "2015-01-07T19:35:08Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > [Since when?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=650592) > > Are we able to do what Ed Zotti just today said we can or not? In the linked thread both **Colibri** and **Idle Thoughts** said that accusing someone of trolling outside of the Pit was against the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/14 "2015-01-07T19:48:25Z")
I think it’s worth looking at the point of the rule–which is, presumably, to avoid having discussions hijacked by the thoroughly uninteresting question of what one poster thinks about another poster’s sincerity. If they’re trolling, the accusation continues the hijack they want; if they’re not, they’re almost certain to defend themselves in what’s gonna be a hijack. I hope accusations of the act, as well as the identity, remain off-limits for GD. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/15 "2015-01-07T20:01:07Z")
> [@emcee2k](#): > > Really? > > If an argument is “trollery”, isn’t the person who made it, by definition, a troll? …but you fuck \*one \*goat… ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/16 "2015-01-07T20:09:18Z")
Even if saying “this post is trolling” isn’t allowed outside the pit (and I think Ed will be back soon to tell us he misspoke in his first response), this seems like a different situation. The point of the rule is to prevent hijacks or feeding the troll in the thread where the (supposed) trolling occurs. The thread in ATMB is about the rules and whether that Pit thread should be closed, so discussion of possible violations would seem to be fair game here. Maybe it’s still a rule violation under the insult clause, but it’s certainly different than saying “you’re trolling” in response to a post within the same thread. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/17 "2015-01-07T20:20:46Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > > [@FXMastermind](#): > > > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697084&postcount=2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697084&postcount=2) > > > > In my perception, calling somebody a troll is a grave insult on the internets. Especially on a board that bans people for trolling. > > > > But it seems unclear if it’s considered an insult in this sub form, About This Message Board. > > > > So is it an insult or not? > > It is an insult anywhere outside The BBQ Pit. It’s still an insult in the Pit. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/18 "2015-01-07T20:35:55Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I hope accusations of the act, as well as the identity, remain off-limits for GD. I don’t care about “troll” in GD, but ATMB would be even more screwed up if you can’t ask why “Such-and-such a post is/isn’t trolling”. Seriously–how can you discuss the rules when one of the most necessary words used to discuss the rules is verboten. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/19 "2015-01-07T20:48:13Z")
I kind of agree, with the proviso that someone can still manage to be a jerk in ATMB while discussing trolling. Accusations of trolling based on ATMB posts, for example, are not gonna be helpful, while badgering someone about your belief that they’re trolling (that is, repeatedly accusing them of it) in ATMB would look pretty jerky to me. But if you write something like, “Is this post in GD considered trolling?” and then talk civilly about the answer, that sounds like a decent use of ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185/20 "2015-01-07T20:51:00Z")
I’m not a mod of this forum so I won’t be the one to address the specific issues. The way things work is that if you report a post all of the mods of that particular forum will get an email notification. I know in my case I am able to check my emails a lot more often than skimming through threads. Then I’ll follow the link and take care of it if needed. That is why reporting problem posts is important. So if you want prompt attention to a particular post it is much more efficient to report the post instead of opening a thread. Unless you have something else in mind. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-calling-somebody-a-troll-an-insult-or-not/709185.md?page=2)