Troll (gay slang)

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Troll and trolling are slang terms used almost exclusively amongst 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] the phrases can be used for anyone who is trolling regardless of age or perceived beauty and troll as a slur “is primarily a visual, not a behavioral” judgment.[4]

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[edit] Origin and historical usage

Troll as gay slang is amongst the lexicon of the cant slang Polari used in the gay subculture in Britain which has become more mainstream with transcontinental travel and online communication. There is still debate about how Polari originated but its origins can be traced back to at least the 19th century.

The term troll probably became equated with cruising because a troll is a “creature of Scandinavian folklore depicted as a devilish imp who lives in dark places and “patrols” in an endless search.”[5] “The word trolla in Swedish means ‘to charm or bewitch'.”[6]

“As a Polari word, troll can mean ‘to walk effeminately', or ‘to walk, seeking sex'.”[7] Trolling can be used almost interchangeably with cruising[8] and like much of Polari usage was probably meant to disguise what was being talked about because being gay was and still is taboo and discussing gay sex in any public area can be risky.

Much like usage throughout time many gay men, even in Britain had never heard or used the term or needed to. Regular customers in the same gay bar might have different takes on the usage – one simply referring to cruising, another referring to a negative version of a troll as a someone who “will have your skin crawling in seconds with his lascivious looks and raunchy repartee,”[9] another meaning older gays who prefer to troll for younger guys.[10][11]

[edit] Etiquette

Depending on the culture the men are in, the setting, time of day (or evening), how comfortable they are about their sexuality and their intentions will all affect the trolling experience. Some men are still coming out or even a virgin to same-sex experiences; some societies punish gays with prison, public humiliation and even death. So having the appearance of just walking through the area or using a restroom comes in handy until those there for sexual fulfillment can let their guard down as it becomes obvious everyone is there with like-minded goals. For regular areas or “troll haunts” that are frequented by a recurring group of trolls there is a general rule that “as in most gay male settings, the young, the muscular, and the unfamiliar are more sought.”[12]

A troll’s intention will also influence actions and outcomes ranging from casual sex in a more private area to exhibitionism like masturbating to group sex, fulfilling a sexual fantasy or even the voyeuristic thrill of watching someone else have public sex. Some are looking to: get a blow-job either directly or through a glory hole, give one or switch roles; fuck someone or get fucked; some are looking for group sex or a BDSM experience even including gang bangs, and still others just want to watch.[13]

A regular public bathroom at a college, public library, shopping mall, train station or even a public park could be a higher risk trolling venue while more private venues like nightclubs, bars,[14] offices and even churches add to the sexual excitement for some escalating the experience with more taboo environments. For some potentially getting caught is almost better than the sex itself. For many gay men, public sex and trolling are seen as a rite of passage and a part of the gay culture which, like many aspects of gay life, has been used to demonize and cause shame but now is often a source of liberation.[15]

[edit] Legal and health concerns

Public sex is often illegal and entrapment cases, although rare, still occur. Potential surveillance and public humiliation (if your name appears in a local newspaper or in legal documents) is a small price to pay compared to gay bashing, mugging or bodily injury.[16]

In addition to safety risks from being attacked, motivated by homophobia or otherwise, all sex with others has inherent risks and catching or spreading sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS which is a serious, (and possibly deadly) risk which can be minimized with planning to ensure safer-sex supplies including condoms are ready when needed.

[edit] Polari trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

The term "trolley-dolly" may be “derived perhaps from a combination of lalies and troll. A trolley-dolly (contemporary gay slang) is a gay flight attendant.”[17] Some assert, however, that the phrase references the duty-free and drinks trolleys pushed by flight attendants; many people also use the phrase to refer to female flight attendants.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cage, Ken. "Gayle: The Language of Kinks and Queens: A History and Dictionary of Gay Language in South Africa By Ken Cage, 2003, pg. 100" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  2. ^ Reuter, Donald F. "Gay-2-zee: A Dictionary of Sex, Subtext, and the Sublime By Donald F. Reuter, 2006, pg. 214" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  3. ^ Green, Jonathon "The Big Book of Filth: 6500 Sex Slang Words and Phrases By Jonathon (INT) Green, 2002, pg. 244" 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.
  5. ^ Reuter, Donald F. "Gay-2-zee: A Dictionary of Sex, Subtext, and the Sublime By Donald F. Reuter, 2006, pg. 214" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  6. ^ Baker, Paul "Polari - The Lost Language of Gay Men By Paul Baker, 2002, pg. 47" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  7. ^ Baker, Paul "Polari - The Lost Language of Gay Men By Paul Baker, 2002, pg. 47" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  8. ^ Coleman, Julie. "Love, Sex and Marriage: A Historical Thesaurus By Julie Coleman, 1999, pg. 292" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  9. ^ Anderson, Dan. "Sex Tips for Gay Guys: Troll Dodging By Dan Anderson, 2002, pg. 44" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  10. ^ Herbst, Philip H. "Wimmin, Wimps & Wallflowers: an encyclopaedic dictionary of gender and sexual orientation bias ... By Philip H. Herbst, 2001, pg. 50" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  11. ^ Downs, Alan "The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World By Alan Downs, 2006, pg. 94" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  12. ^ Leap, William L "Public Sex/Gay Space By William L. Leap, 1999, pg. 62" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  13. ^ De Vries, Brian and Herdt, Gilbert H. "Gay and Lesbian Aging: Research and Future Directions By B. (Brian) De Vries, Gilbert H. Herdt, 2004, pg. 94" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  14. ^ Mann, William J. Gray gays: Aging gay men and lesbians face unique challenges by William J. Mann, Boston Phoenix, May 1997" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  15. ^ George Michael's new public sex allegation, The Advocate, July 25, 2006" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  16. ^ Otton, Garry. " Cruising: A Private Inconvenience by Garry Otton, ScotsGay Magazine, January 1995" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  17. ^ Baker, Paul "Polari - The Lost Language of Gay Men By Paul Baker, 2002, pg. 194" Retrieved on 2007-06-06.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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