What's a "rickroll"?

February 2, 2008 9:43 AM

It's not me, it's the NyQuil asking, but --

I tried the FAQ. I tried Mefi Wiki. Couldn't find it, and I'd be losing sleep over this if it weren't for the NyQuil that's doping me up to the gills (and probably reducing my judgement to the point that I'm writing this note.)
What's a "rickroll"?

posted by lleachie to MetaFilter-related at 9:43 AM (47 comments total)

http://www.google.com/search?q=rickroll
posted by proj at 9:45 AM on February 2, 2008

try google
posted by The Deej at 9:46 AM on February 2, 2008

From Urban Dictionary:

When you're looking for something interesting on youtube, and someone sends you a link, it's usually the video to Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up"

examples: You just got Rickrolled.
Rickrolling is frowned upon at MF.
posted by porn in the woods at 9:49 AM on February 2, 2008

It's not a mefi-specific phenomenon. Wikipedia with a command summary.
posted by cortex at 9:49 AM on February 2, 2008

I found it here.

No, no wait, here.

Ok, for reals this time, it's here.
posted by ibmcginty at 9:50 AM on February 2, 2008 [1 favorite]

It's when someone links to the video of Rick Astley singing Never Gonna Give You Up but you think they're linking to something else. When you click on the link and the video starts, you have officially been rickrolled. See, I didn't rickroll you - my link says it's to the video, and it actually is. Please the music stylings of Mr. Astley.

Rickrolling is also an overplayed and stupid meme.

The word meme is stupid and I don't know why I used it.
posted by iconomy at 9:53 AM on February 2, 2008

(that should be please enjoy the music stylings. which I know you will)
posted by iconomy at 9:54 AM on February 2, 2008

Damn right, iconomy, we need a new meme.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 10:12 AM on February 2, 2008

Holy crap--check out the new, old Rick Astley on his website (not a rickroll, I promise (or do I? (yes))).
posted by Admiral Haddock at 10:18 AM on February 2, 2008

we need a new meme.

Enough with the Astley! I've always secretly wished that this video would've been the Rickroll instead.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 10:19 AM on February 2, 2008

Rickrolling is also an overplayed and stupid meme.

But when it was in its heyday, iconomy was a master.
posted by jessamyn at 10:37 AM on February 2, 2008

you're all very funny - this is a rickroll
posted by pyramid termite at 10:39 AM on February 2, 2008 [1 favorite]

Designers out there can enter Rick's exciting new contest:

It's one thing having a rare mix but how would you fancy having a Gold Disc on your wall at the envy of all Rick fans? Well thanks to Tops Henderson, Rick's manager, this dream could be a reality for one lucky fan. Tops is offering as a competition prize, this amazing original Gold Disc that was awarded to Rick by The Netherlands for the success of his "Whener You Need Somebody" LP.

As you can imagine, most of Rick's gold discs are cherished posessions in the Astley household, very few are in the hands of fans. Its a very special item indeed and now you have the opportunity to claim it for your own collection.

The competition is simply for you to create a Banner, T-Shirt, Poster or whatever in support of Rick for use at one of the Here & Now concert dates in May (2008). You don't actually have to be present at the concerts, you can submit your entry to this website.

Rick's web presence is fairly craptacular; I might give this a shot.
posted by porn in the woods at 10:41 AM on February 2, 2008

Google goatse while you're at it.
posted by Artw at 10:58 AM on February 2, 2008

RO RO Roll ON Roll OFF
posted by Burhanistan at 11:04 AM on February 2, 2008 [1 favorite]

Rickrolling is a vast improvement over goatse.cxing and tubgirling people.
posted by empath at 11:09 AM on February 2, 2008

Remember kids: Never use safe search and always click "I'm feeling lucky!"
posted by Artw at 11:11 AM on February 2, 2008

If you're unfamiliar with internet memes, and of a sensitive constitution: do not go anywhere but wikipedia or the like (reference sites) to find out what goatse or tubgirl etc are.

I have to say, although it's played out now, the rickroll has been my favorite in this family of misdirecting links. It has style.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:57 AM on February 2, 2008

Wow. I somehow managed to miss this whole meme, and I don't think it's because I need to spend more time on the Internet.
posted by veggieboy at 12:40 PM on February 2, 2008

do not go anywhere but wikipedia or the like (reference sites)
encyclopedia dramatica is sort of a reference site, but trust me you probably want to steer clear of that as well.
posted by juv3nal at 12:42 PM on February 2, 2008

I only recently learned about this meme myself.
posted by sambosambo at 12:44 PM on February 2, 2008

But when it was in its heyday, iconomy was a master.

Heehee. I cannot deny it. Curse you and your fantastic memory!
posted by iconomy at 12:46 PM on February 2, 2008

pyramid termite, thank you. Now I know that my day can only get better from this point on.
posted by mosessis at 12:49 PM on February 2, 2008

Already did goatse; that was my last stupid question to MeTa. Have successfully resisted "2girls1cup" so far.
Is that REALLY all there is to it?

And yeah, I'm a N00b, but hey, no sense pretending to be someone I'm not...
posted by lleachie at 12:51 PM on February 2, 2008

This thread reminded me of something from many years ago, so I wrote a blog entry speculating on the real origin of the "Rick roll". (self-link: Not a rick-roll, I promise)
posted by Tube at 12:55 PM on February 2, 2008

A Rick Roll is like a Tootsie Roll except it's really white and tastes like shit.
posted by The Straightener at 1:30 PM on February 2, 2008

I will give any admin $50 American money to change every link in this thread to a rickroll. Cortex, I'll give you $30.
posted by ND¢ at 2:03 PM on February 2, 2008 [1 favorite]

MY best friend in highschool (86-90) had the unfortunate luck to look a lot like Rick Astley, AND had a nice trench coat he wore at times. Poor soul was still living that down years later...
posted by pupdog at 2:13 PM on February 2, 2008

Rick Astley? Dead?
posted by 31d1 at 2:17 PM on February 2, 2008

That frog tells me secrets of quantum physics.
posted by Burhanistan at 2:21 PM on February 2, 2008

The antidote to being rickrolled is to be Charles Weedon Westovered.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 2:47 PM on February 2, 2008

And here is an offshoot of the rickroll: the scaryroll.

(For the record, I prefer spicy tuna roll, but whatever.)
posted by cog_nate at 3:23 PM on February 2, 2008 [2 favorites]

It's not me, it's the Nyquil that is refusing to answer.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:53 PM on February 2, 2008

pyramid termite, see here
posted by KokuRyu at 5:34 PM on February 2, 2008

I will give any admin $50 American money to change every link in this thread to a rickroll. Cortex, I'll give you $30.

Hold out for Canadian money before you do it, cortex.
posted by ibmcginty at 5:40 PM on February 2, 2008

Good God, that scaryroll is awesome.
posted by Tuwa at 6:27 PM on February 2, 2008

I mean, "hellacious."
posted by Tuwa at 6:27 PM on February 2, 2008

Weapons of Mass Destruction Found in Iraq!
posted by delmoi at 9:06 PM on February 2, 2008

I like that song.
posted by JanetLand at 6:17 AM on February 3, 2008

What is a Rickroll?

An inferior Haimburgle.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:38 AM on February 3, 2008 [1 favorite]

Wow, Rick really went through some fashion phases I missed.
posted by miss lynnster at 11:42 AM on February 3, 2008

Awesome.
posted by geekyguy at 5:36 PM on February 3, 2008

I'm still more of a fan of Duckroll.
posted by Arturus at 7:29 PM on February 3, 2008

How about a Rickroll with duck sauce?
posted by davejay at 11:05 PM on February 3, 2008

Is it just me or does 'Haimburgle' sound vaguely obscene? "As part of my gang initiation, I'm gonna haimburglarize the first person I see."

It just sounds... wonderfully filthy.
posted by quin at 8:04 AM on February 4, 2008

See, my mind must not be dirty enough. Because the first thing I think of is this. Robble robble.
posted by miss lynnster at 10:37 AM on February 4, 2008

Yeah, exactly. Little striped dude is a freak. I mean, what exactly do you think he wanted all those talking hamburgers for?

*shudder*
posted by quin at 10:56 AM on February 4, 2008