Troll (gay slang)

Troll and trolling are slang terms used almost exclusively among gay men to characterize gay, bisexual and questioning or bi-curious men who cruise or "wander about looking"[1] for sex or potential sex partners or experiences "in a notably wanton manner and with lessened standards of what one will accept in a partner."[2] The term can be used positively or negatively depending on the speaker, usage and intent and can describe the person or the activity. Although often referring to "an unattractive older gay man"[3] and although troll as a slur "is primarily a visual, not a behavioral" judgment,[4] the phrases can be used for anyone who is trolling, regardless of the putative troll's age or perceived attractiveness.

  1. ^ Ken Cage (2003). Gayle: The Language of Kinks and Queens: A History and Dictionary of Gay Language in South Africa. Jacana Media. p. 100. ISBN 191993149X. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  2. ^ Donald F. Reuter (2006). Gay-2-zee: A Dictionary of Sex, Subtext, and the Sublime. Macmillan. p. 214. ISBN 0312354274. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  3. ^ Green, Jonathon "The Big Book of Filth: 6500 Sex Slang Words and Phrases By Jonathon (INT) Green, 2002, pg. 244"[permanent dead link] Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  4. ^ Atkins, Dawn "Looking Queer: Body Image and Identity in Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Communities By Dawn Atkins, 1998, pg. 446" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.