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Where does the word "troll" come from? It comes from Old Norse troll, and was adopted directly into English (1600s-1800s).
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Where does the word "troll" come from? It comes from Old Norse troll, and was adopted directly into English (1600s-1800s).
Troll’s story begins in Old Norse: troll meant “a supernatural, monstrous being.” A supernatural being of Scandinavian folklore, often malevolent. It reached English by 1600s-1800s as troll. 'internet troll' dates from the 1990s, influenced by trolling for fish. Today, troll means a mythical monstrous being from Scandinavian folklore; online, one who provokes others.
- Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval troll "a supernatural, monstrous being", a supernatural being of Scandinavian folklore, often malevolent.
- Stage 2 · English · 1600s-1800s troll "a mythical, monstrous being", 'internet troll' dates from the 1990s, influenced by trolling for fish.