guides
What Is a 'Lolcow?'
There aren't many favorable ways to compare someone to a cow, and the term lolcow is no exception. Lolcow is a portmanteau of "LOL" and "cow" and is used in a derogatory way to describe highly exploitable people online, such as those who post a consistent flow of cringeworthy content.
People deemed lolcows are frequently the subject of trolling in order to get embarrassing info from them or get them to do embarrassing things for the lulz. Here's how the slang term came about.
Where Does Lolcow Come From?
The exact origins of lolcow are unknown. It is likely derived from "cash cow," an idiomatic term used to describe a product, service, person, etc. that generates a steady stream of revenue. In this case, lolcows generate a steady stream of "lols," mostly as a result of trolling but also as a result of a lack of self-awareness about the content they're posting. Essentially, anyone who regularly produces content that can be exploited might be deemed a lolcow.
Lolcow was first defined on Urban Dictionary in April 2007, where the user defines a lolcow as, "A person, most often someone who tries to look exceedingly knowledgeable in the topic discussed, being flamed/trolled to the point where they can no longer present 'sane' arguments that will 'fit their level' yet are too proud to just quit." The most popular definition, posted in 2008, defines the term more broadly as " a person you get consistent laughs from who doesn't know they are being made fun of."
How Is Lolcow Used In Memes?
Lolcow is not commonly used in memes like image macros. The term is mostly used in online discussions to label someone a lolcow, alerting others in the discussion of the general vibe surrounding the person.
If someone is consistently being called a lolcow in a thread or forum post, the general understanding is that the person is a target of mockery or trolling. One of the most popular places you might find the term is Kiwi Farms, a forum dedicated to discussing lolcows and gossip.
Despite this, the term has occasionally appeared in memes that reference popular lolcows, like Chris-Chan, JustinRPG and Onision.
Who Are Some Of The Most Prominent Lolcows?
Chris-Chan
Christine Weston Chandler, a.k.a. Chris-Chan, is a YouTube vlogger and creator of the webcomic Sonichu. Since late 2007, Chandler became a trolling target by Encyclopedia Dramatica, 4chan and Kiwi Farms who frequently mocked her artwork and online behavior. In late July 2021, Chandler went viral online over a controversy involving alleged incest between them and their elderly mother.
JustinRPG
JustinRPG is an internet personality known for a history of posts and content (including songs and photoshops) claiming to be married to the Pokemon Reshiram, among other fictional characters. He was the target of trolling attempts in the early 2010s, but none have been significantly successful.
Terry Davis
Terry A. Davis was a computer programmer known for being the sole developer of the TempleOS operating system. Having been diagnosed with schizophrenia, Davis gained much online notoriety for his bizarre behavior, which included using random text generators to communicate in online discussion forums, casual use of racial slurs and paranoia and hostility to government agents, especially the CIA. In 2018, Davis was killed after being struck by a train while walking alongside railroad tracks.
For the full details on Lolcow, be sure to check out our entry on the meme here for even more information.
