rick & roll

Rick rolling is most certainly The Internet’s most famous and iconic bait and switch prank of all time. It involves posting a web link supposedly relevant to the topic at hand on an online forum, which actually re-directs the viewer to Rick Astley’s 1987 hit single “Never Gonna Give You Up.” The URL is often masked or obfuscated as a randomly-generated shortlink to conceal its true source from the experienced users. Whenever someone clicks the link and unintentionally summons Rick Astley’s song, he or she is said to have been rickrolled.

Like most Internet pranks, rickrolling begun on 4chan, where users would claim to have a link to something very interesting, like Emma Watson’s nude photos or leaked movies. However, clicking on the link would redirect you to the “Never gonna give you up” video.

The prank has gone so mainstream now that it has been used by Google, Oregon House of Representatives, hacker group anonymous, and The White house.

Unfortunately, Rick’s email was hacked by 9gag back in 2012, and his nude pictures were spread all around the Internet. You can view them HERE (nsfw).