“Rick Roll” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on November 14, 2024 by Isabella Claire

If you like pranking your friends or family members, then you must understand the term “rick roll.” Here you will find the meaning of this slang phrase, the story of its origin, and some other meanings if any others that exist.

You will also see some example conversations used to help illustrate how the term is used in conversation to help you gain an even better understanding of the concept. Lastly, you will discover some alternative words of phrases that you can use in place of the term during a conversation to relay the same thought or message.

“Rick Roll” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • This slang phrase is used as a prank for friends or to troll people on the internet in general. It involves linking or sending the video of the song Never Gonna Give You Up by singer Rick Astley produced in 1987.
Rick Roll Meaning
Rick Roll Meaning – Created by 7ESL

“Rick Roll” Meaning

“Rick Roll” is an internet prank where someone is tricked into clicking a link that unexpectedly leads to the music video for Rick Astley’s 1987 song “Never Gonna Give You Up.” This prank became popular in the mid-2000s and is now a classic internet joke. When someone is “Rickrolled,” they’re typically led to believe they’re clicking on a link to something interesting or relevant, only to be surprised by the Rick Astley video instead.

The Rickroll prank is lighthearted and humorous, meant to surprise and amuse rather than offend. Over the years, it has become a popular meme and is a well-known internet culture reference.

For example:

  • “I thought I was getting a link to the movie trailer, but I got Rickrolled instead!”
  • “Beware of random links during April Fool’s Day; you might just get Rickrolled.”

Origin of this Term

This prank or form of trolling is probably the most well-known piece of clickbait on the internet today. When the link is given it is often disguised so that users can’t tell what they are about to see or hear. The term originated on the site 4chan 2007 and was a spinoff of a former prank known as the duckroll in 2005. The duckroll prank took the terms duck and roll and combined them instead of using the term egg and roll to make the word eggroll. The same can be said about a Rick roll, using the artists’ first name and combining it with the word roll.

Usage of “Rick Roll”

1. In a humorous or casual conversation:

  • “I tried to get him to watch an interesting video, but instead, I totally Rick Rolled him with ‘Never Gonna Give You Up.'”

    (Describing the act of tricking someone into clicking on the Rick Roll video for a laugh.)

2. In a playful social media post:

  • “Just posted a link to a supposedly cool tutorial, but it’s actually a Rick Roll. Enjoy!”

    (Using a Rick Roll as a playful way to mislead your followers or friends online.)

3. As part of a prank:

  • “I sent her the link for the meeting agenda, but it was actually a Rick Roll. She fell for it completely!”

    (Referring to using a Rick Roll to prank someone by making them think they’re clicking on something important.)

4. In the context of online forums or chats:

  • “I can’t believe someone just Rick Rolled me in the comment section. Classic!”

    (Describing being tricked in an online space, such as a comment thread or forum.)

5. In a conversation about internet memes:

  • “You haven’t been Rick Rolled yet? It’s one of the oldest internet pranks.”

    (Explaining the concept of a Rick Roll to someone who may not be familiar with the meme.)

6. In reference to an ongoing internet trend:

  • “Everyone in the office is sending Rick Rolls today to lighten the mood. It’s hilarious!”

    (Referring to a shared use of the Rick Roll prank in a group or community.)

7. In a joke about unexpected outcomes:

  • “I thought I was going to get the job details, but instead, I got Rick Rolled. What a plot twist!”

    (Describing a situation where someone expected one outcome but was tricked into a Rick Roll instead.)

8. In a discussion about trolling or online jokes:

  • “That person just Rick Rolled the entire chat. It’s a classic trolling move.”

    (Using the term “Rick Roll” to describe a common online trolling method.)

9. In the context of a challenge or game:

  • “I’ll bet you $5 that I can Rick Roll you without you knowing. Are you game?”

    (Challenging someone to fall for the Rick Roll prank as part of a bet or game.)

10. In a nostalgic or meme-related discussion:

  • “Remember when Rick Rolling was everywhere on the internet? That was such a weird but funny time.”

    (Talking about the era when Rick Rolling was a major internet trend.)

Related Terms to “Rick Roll”

  • Clickbait: An internet link with a misleading title meant to lure clicks, often leading to content that’s different than expected.
  • Bait-and-Switch: A tactic where someone is misled into expecting one thing, only to be presented with something entirely different (similar to Rickrolling).
  • Meme: An image, video, or phrase that’s widely shared and often used humorously online, like the Rickroll.
  • Duckroll: The precursor to Rickrolling, where users were tricked into clicking a link that led to an image of a duck on wheels.
  • Troll: Someone who posts or sends misleading or provocative messages to elicit reactions; Rickrolling is a harmless example of trolling.
  • Gotcha: A term to describe a prank or trap, often used to celebrate when someone successfully pulls off a joke.
  • Shock Site: Websites with surprising, often disturbing content that catch viewers off-guard; Rickrolling is a harmless version of this concept.
  • April Fool’s Prank: A classic prank day often associated with tricks similar to Rickrolling.
  • Fake Link: A disguised or misleading hyperlink that redirects to unexpected content, often used for pranks.
  • Internet Culture: The collective trends, memes, and phenomena that arise from online communities, of which Rickrolling is a staple.

Synonyms for Rick Roll

There are few alternatives that you can use for this slang term given that it pertains to the first name of one particular singer and is meant to link you to a very specific video. You can, however, use alternative spellings in some cases when discussing the action, which includes:

  • rickrold
  • rickrolled
  • rick roll’d

“Rick Roll” Examples

Sentence Examples

  • “He tried to Rick Roll me by sending a link labeled ‘important news’—classic move.”
  • “I clicked on what I thought was a tutorial video, but it turned out to be a Rick Roll.”
  • “Every April Fools’ Day, someone tries to Rick Roll everyone in the group chat.”
  • “She set up a Rick Roll link in her email signature as a joke.”
  • “They warned us about a hidden Rick Roll during the live stream, but I still fell for it.”
  • “My friend’s been trying to Rick Roll me all week, so now I’m extra cautious about clicking links.”
  • “The website looked legit, but then boom—a Rick Roll out of nowhere.”
  • “Getting Rick Rolled during a serious presentation is both hilarious and embarrassing.”
  • “Even after all these years, a well-timed Rick Roll still gets a laugh.”
  • “They planned a big reveal, but instead gave us a Rick Roll—the whole room cracked up.”

Conversation Examples

A text conversation between two friends.

  • Friend 1: OMG! I can’t believe that just happened.
  • Friend 2: What?
  • Friend 1: (sends a disguised link) This!
  • Friend 2: (clicks on the link) OMG! I can’t believe you just rickrolled me!

An online conversation between two Facebook users.

  • User 1: Hey, be sure to check out my newest YouTube video. (includes a link)
  • User 2: (clicks on the link) I can’t believe you put this up just to rick roll people.
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