What is a troll?

[nohorn]

I keep seeing that word in AB. The last time I heard the term was in a nursery rhyme, probably British. I believe it has a negative conotation. Am I correct. Thanks

[Answerprancer]

My chance to redeem myself!
An internet "troll" is someone who infiltrates chat forums with the express intention of steering a chat/debate in a different direction, usually for the purposes of their own power trip. The nature of their visits is normally to stir things up in an inflammatory way.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I really like that answer Answerprancer. It explains it to me at last

[snags]

An integral part of any chat forum... much like 'the clique' ;-p

[Answerprancer]

Thank you - although it seems to have a simpler meaning on AB ie. a returning poster who was previously banned.

[nohorn]

Why thank you answerprancer; you are a good boy!

And now I have the correct way to think about the word troll.

[jno]

Answerprancer, I think the suggestion is that the user was banned for being a troll in the first place and is expected to revert to trollism soon after returning (which does seem to happen, usually within the hour).