Re: Troll Face Meme
Carmel Kittell
Troll Face Meme: The History and Meaning of the Internet's Most Mischievous Smile
If you have ever browsed the internet for memes, you have probably encountered the troll face meme. It is a simple drawing of a character with a wide grin and squinted eyes, usually used to mock or annoy someone online. But where did this meme come from, and what does it mean? In this article, we will explore the origin, usage, impact, and copyright issues of the troll face meme.
What is the troll face meme?
The troll face meme is a rage comic character wearing a mischievous smile that is meant to represent the facial expression of an internet troll. An internet troll is someone who deliberately provokes or harasses others online for their own amusement or agenda. The troll face meme is often used to portray a character as a troll in rage comics, or alternatively, to identify oneself or another participant as such in online discussions. The image is often accompanied by phrases such as "Problem?" or "You mad, bro?".
Examples of the troll face meme
Here are some examples of how the troll face meme is used in different contexts:
- In rage comics, the troll face is usually the final panel of a comic that shows how the protagonist was tricked or pranked by a troll.
- In online forums or comments sections, the troll face is often posted as a response to someone who is angry or frustrated by a previous comment or post.
- In social media or messaging apps, the troll face is sometimes sent as a sticker or emoji to tease or annoy someone.
- In memes or videos, the troll face is sometimes edited onto other images or clips to create humorous or ironic situations.
You can find more examples of the troll face meme on websites like Imgflip , Kapwing , and Know Your Meme .
Where did the troll face meme come from?
The troll face meme originated in 2008 when Carlos Ramirez, an 18-year-old Oakland college student, drew it in Microsoft Paint for a webcomic about internet trolling. He uploaded the image to his DeviantArt page under the username Whynne. The comic was titled "Trolls" and showed how trolling was pointless and futile. Ramirez posted the image to 4chan , a popular imageboard website, and other users began to share it. From there, it spread to other websites like Reddit , Urban Dictionary , Imgur , and Facebook .
The original comic by Whynne
Here is the original comic by Whynne that started the troll face meme:
What is the impact of the troll face meme?
The troll face meme has become one of the most recognizable and widely used rage comic faces on the internet. It has been described as "the father of memes" by La Tercera and "the internet equivalent of the children's taunt 'nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah'" by The Guardian . It has also inspired many variations and spin-offs, such as coolface , lolface , pokerface , forever alone , and more.
A bust of Trollface at Museo del Meme
The troll face meme has also influenced pop culture and art. For example:
- A bust of Trollface was exhibited at the Mexico City museum Museo del Meme , which showcases various internet memes and their history.
- Fans of the Turkish football team Eskişehirspor used a banner with Trollface and the word "Problem?" to protest a rule change in 2012 . The video of their stunt went viral on YouTube .
- The TV show Black Mirror featured Trollface photographs in its episode "Shut Up and Dance" in 2016 . The photos were sent by blackmail ers who forced the protagonist to do various tasks.
- The video game Trollface Quest , developed by PPLLAAYY , is a series of point-and-click adventure games that parody various popular games, movies, and internet memes using Trollface and other rage comic characters.
What are the legal issues of the troll face meme?
The troll face meme is not free to use for commercial purposes. In 2010, Ramirez registered the image as a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office . He also hired a lawyer to protect his intellectual property rights and to license the image to various companies and individuals. According to Ramirez, he has made over $100,000 from licensing fees and royalties from the troll face meme. He has also sued or threatened to sue several entities that used the image without his permission, such as The Daily Dot , Meme Run , and Warner Bros .
A screenshot of Meme Run, a game that was removed from Nintendo eShop for using Trollface without permission
Conclusion
The troll face meme is one of the most iconic and influential internet memes of all time. It originated from a webcomic by Carlos Ramirez in 2008 and became a popular way to express trolling or mockery online. It has also spawned many variations and adaptations, as well as inspired pop culture and art. However, the meme is also subject to legal disputes, as Ramirez owns the trademark and has enforced his rights against unauthorized use. The troll face meme is a symbol of both the creativity and the controversy of internet culture.
FAQs
What is the meaning of "Problem?" in the troll face meme?
"Problem?" is a rhetorical question that is often used with the troll face meme to taunt or provoke someone who is annoyed or offended by something. It implies that the person who says it does not care about the other person's feelings or opinions, and that they enjoy causing trouble.
Who is Whynne?
Whynne is the online alias of Carlos Ramirez, the creator of the troll face meme. He is an American artist and webcomic author who lives in Oakland, California. He has also created other rage comic characters, such as Me Gusta , Cereal Guy , and FFFUUU .
How do you draw a troll face?
You can draw a troll face by following these steps:
- Draw a circle for the head.
- Draw two small circles for the eyes, and fill them with black.
- Draw a curved line for the nose, and two dots for the nostrils.
- Draw a wide U-shaped curve for the mouth, and add some teeth.
- Draw two curved lines for the eyebrows, and make them point upwards.
- Add some hair on top of the head, and some ears on the sides.
- Erase any extra lines, and color your drawing as you like.
What are some synonyms for troll face?
Some synonyms for troll face are:
- Coolface
- Trollface
- Troll smile
- Rage face
- Troll guy
What are some related memes to troll face?
Some related memes to troll face are:
- Lolface
- Pokerface
- Forever alone
- FUUUUUUU
- Okay guy