# Trolls

A Troll, in Norse mythology, is a generally negative synonym for the beings known as the jötunn, often referred to as giants. Trolls are said to dwell in isolated mountains, rocks, and caves, sometimes live together (usually as father-and-daughter or mother-and-son), and are rarely described as helpful or friendly. Later, in Scandinavian folklore, trolls become defined as a particular type of being, generally held to be larger than humans and notably ugly. Trolling is the practice of fishing by drawing a baited line or lure behind a boat, and because of allusions to this and to classical trolls, in modern times, troll has become a term for a person who, through willful action, attempts to disrupt an internet community or garner attention and controversy through provocative messages, or the process of engaging in such activity.

## Quotes

* Trolls, it is said, were bred by Melkor because he desired a race as powerful as the giant Ents, the Tree-herds.
** David Day in Tolkien : The Illustrated Encyclopaedia (1993), p. 226
* Assume good faith. This is so easier said than done ;/ But for real, assume good faith. When someone asks a question and you think they are trolling, it’s entirely possible they are not. (Maybe they are 15 years old, or their English is imperfect, or they have an impairment of some kind.) Even if they are trolling: there will always be onlookers who don’t know it, and who, whatever the provocation, will recoil if you are curt or unkind. Trolling also gives you an opportunity to equip onlookers with reasonable arguments that they can go on to use themselves.
** Sue Gardner A little guide to working with online communities March 21, 2016
* The folk belief … is that lightning seeks out trolls and giants, perhaps a reflection the giant-slaying of Thor in Old Norse mythology. Many informants have told collectors that the reason the giants or trolls are no longer populous is the accuracy and efficiency of the lightning strokes.
** John Lindow, in Swedish Folktales and Legends (1978), p. 89
* Senator Stampingston: Gentlemen, it's clear that we're in a universally precarious situation. Dethklok has summoned a troll. General Crozier: That's impossible, there's no such thing as trolls. Senator Stampingston: Then how do you explain the dead unicorns?
** Metalocalypse, Dethtroll, episode 1.04 (2006)
* They were trolls. Obviously trolls. Even Bilbo, in spite of his sheltered life, could see that: from the great heavy faces of them, and their size, and the shape of their legs, not to mention their language, which was not drawing-room fashion at all, at all.
** J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937), Chapter 2: "Roast Mutton"
* Trolls are slow in the uptake, and mighty suspicious about anything new to them.
** J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937), Chapter 2: "Roast Mutton"
* Trolls simply detest the very sight of dwarves (uncooked).
** J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937), Chapter 2: "Roast Mutton"
* Trolls do not build.
** J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), Book I, Chapter 12: "Flight to the Ford"; said by Strider.
* 'Now is the time!' cried Gandalf. 'Let us go, before the troll returns!'
** J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), Book II, Chapter 5: "The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm"
* Trolls are only counterfeits, made by the Enemy in the Great Darkness, in mockery of Ents, as Orcs were of Elves.
** J. R. R. Tolkien, The Two Towers (1954), Book III, Chapter 4: "Treebeard"

## See also

* Trolls Band Together