Being an unnecessarily mean internet troll is almost a rite of passage for most young internet users, especially those used to frequenting anonymous messageboard sites like Reddit, 4chan, or even Kiwifarms. "It's called we do a little trolling" is a motto many edgy internet users subscribe to, but a new audience and a growing conscience can put a strain on even the most ardent trolls.

Turns out, there's a phrase for when a vocally mean-spirited internet user finds himself campaigning for everything he once stood against, and it's called "Troll's remorse." It's a catchphrase that likely predates the internet, but also one that has come to describe many notorious online figures. Here's where the phrase originated.

What Does 'Troll's Remorse' Mean?

"Troll's remorse" is a phrase that describes the regret an edgy or purposefully offensive person may feel in hindsight. Troll's remorse manifests in various ways and for various reasons; one could be filled with so much guilt that they do a 180 and campaign against everything they stood for, or they could even succumb to societal pressures and revamp their image to avoid being egged by their audience.

Some early instances of the phrase "Trolls remorse" can be found on 4chan's /tv/ and /tg/ boards around the year 2010, along with some sporadic use on X / Twitter. Notably, an internet troll wrote about his experience with Troll's remorse for NBC Philadelphia in 2013, after he went on a rant about Sixers CEO Adam Aron and came to regret it.

Who Are Some Internet Users People Think Have 'Troll's Remorse'?

In the early 2020s, some internet users began associating YouTube HBomberguy with "Troll's remorse," given how his history as an internet troll comes at odds with his current role as a prominent progressive BreadTuber.

HBomberguy's attempt to distance himself from his associations with controversial figures like Mister Metokur led to some people saying that he has Troll's Remorse, which is interesting given that he himself commented on the concept in a recent video.

Another internet user often associated with Troll's remorse is iDubbbz, a formerly edgy YouTuber who used to defend the use of racial slurs, but now advocates for pretty progressive values. iDubbbz's attempt to distance himself from his provocative past has made him a quintessential Troll (with) remorse, and he features in many memes and discussions about the concept.

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For the full history of Troll's remorse, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.