"Anti-McCann Internet Trolls" - Six Definitions

by **Tony Bennett** 06.10.15 8:13

Given the large number of references to internet 'trolls' in the last few days in relation to the reported disappearance of Madeleine McCann, I've collected these six descriptions from page 1 when you google the term 'Internet Troll':

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http://www.internetslang.com/TROLL-meaning-definition.asp

The Meaning of TROLL:

TROLL means "A deliberately provocative message board user"

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Internet+Troll

A person whose sole purpose in life is to seek out people to argue with on the internet over extremely trivial issues. Such arguments can happen on blogs, Facebook, Myspace and a host of others.
The best thing you can do to fight an internet troll is to not answer..or report them.

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/troll

(computing, slang) a person who submits deliberately inflammatory articles to an internet discussion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory,^[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response^[2] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion,^[3] often for their own amusement.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/troll

verb (used with object): Digital Technology, Informal:

to post inflammatory or inappropriate messages or comments on (the Internet, especially a message board) for the purpose of upsetting other users and provoking a response.

to upset or provoke (other users) by posting such messages or comments.

http://www.netlingo.com/word/troll.php

troll a.k.a. trolls, trolling, don't feed the trolls, the dark tetrad

Online it originally meant the act of posting a message in a newsgroup (and later on a blog) that is obviously exaggerating something on a particular topic, hoping to trick a newbie into posting a follow-up article that points out the mistake. In general, to "troll" means to allure, to fish, to entice, or to bait. Internet trolls are people who fish for other people's confidence and, once found, exploit it.

You have probably heard various opinions about how to deal with people who write insulting or provocative remarks on various Internet forums. The most common is "Don't Feed the Trolls", which says that all the people in the forum should avoid responding to the troll. Historical perspective: The people who post nasty comments online are likely to have pathological personalities, said a 2014 study from the University of Manitoba. Known as “Internet trolls,” Web users who like to post inflammatory comments, incite arguments, and send insulting tweets are more likely to exhibit Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism.

by plebgate 06.10.15 14:30

I would rather be regarded a troll than someone who went on holiday with three children and returned with two because, we are told, they left their defenceless children all alone in a foreign land, a dark apartment and a door left open.

Who in their right minds would do such a thing?

What an utter cheek to call people trolls for asking questions and yet ask for donations and help from the public in trying to find Maddie after having given such an explanation!

It beggars belief that MSM are willing to report such goings on, it really does.