About
“Y’all Niggas Postin’ in a Troll Thread” is an expression that is used on discussion forums and image boards to suggest that the original poster is a troll and therefore attempts at continuing the conversation should be abandoned. Since entering widespread usage through 4chan, the phrase has spawned dozens of derivative image macros based on the snowclone“Y’all niggas postin’ in an (X) thread.”
Origin
The phrase is most often presented as a reaction image featuring a photograph of American conservative political activist Alan Keyes making a pointing gesture, which was taken during his service with the U.S. State Department as a diplomat under the Reagan Administration in the 1980s. The image was released into public domain by the Keyes campaign on July 31st, 2007, according to the Wikimedia Commons.[3]
The exact origin date of the image macro cannot be pinpointed, but it has been around 4chan’s /b/ board since at least January 20th, 2009, according to a thread on Chanarchive.[8]
Spread
The image macro is typically used on image boards to point out that users are being trolled by the original poster (OP). This is often the result of the OP’s attempt to deceive or bait other users into posting or following a particular discussion.
On May 19th, 2009, the presence of the word “niggaz” in the image macro sparked a debate on Wikipedia[2] about whether the original photo should be displayed in the Keyes entry, but since the image was given to Wikipedia by the Renew America Keyes campaign, the image remained intact. On November 3rd, 2010, the blog Westworld posted an article about 4chan’s founder moot responding to questions on the /b/ board titled “Y’all posting in a moot thread: 4chan’s founder takes questions from /b/tards.”[4] The phrase has since made its way into other discussion forums and websites, including BodyBuilding[6], IGN[5], and Blue Garter.[7]
Notable Examples
The macro has had multiple edits, often to reflect a different type of thread, such as one about Puddi Puddi or Insane Clown Posse.
Search Interest
Search queries for “posting in a troll thread” picked up and reached its highest peak in October 2009.
External References
[2]Wikipedia Talk – Alan Keyes – Can we get a better or more official picture
[3]Wikimedia Commons – Alan_Keyes.jpg
[4]Westworld – Y’all posting in a moot thread: 4chan’s founder takes questions from /b/tards
[5]IGN Forums – is it bannable to post the yall _____ be posting …
[6]Body Building Forums – what are the “postin in a troll thread” variations?
[7]Blue Garter – Yall Niggas Posting in a Troll Thread
[8]Chanarchive – black memes