Origin of Troll?

 

To troll is to insult or provoke, sometimes using subterfuge.

An internet troll is someone who posts malicious comments online. The intention is to ridicule a group or individual. 

Where does the word come from?

The etymology is complex. One possible source is the old French hunting term troller.  

There is also a connection to a mythological Norse monster. In folklore, this describes ugly, magical cave-dwellers. 

Trolling is also a fishing technique that involves dragging bait through the water.

Why did the word troll catch on online?

It probably derives from a slang term used by US naval pilots in the 1970s - see here.

So trolls just insult people for fun?

Trolling ranges from humorous banter to crude abuse and physical threats. The latter are illegal but often rely  on deception. This can involve creating fake accounts and a false identity to post ridiculous, provocative, threatening and/or abusive comments. 

Some mass trolling is believed to be orchestrated by intelligence services or other malign actors.

Are trolls just an unpleasant nuisance?

Concentrated malicious trolling can have a devastating impact, especially when personally directed at the vulnerable. Many have described the disorientating impact of social-media pile-on or concentrated personal attack.