LOLcow: What It Means & Why It's Trending Online - Know Your Meme

Denny

01 May, 2025

Is there a digital pasture where internet personalities are perpetually "milked" for the amusement of others? The term "lolcow" embodies a dark corner of the internet, where individuals are relentlessly targeted, exploited, and transformed into public spectacles, often without their consent or awareness.

The digital landscape is a vast and ever-evolving space, where trends emerge and fade with dizzying speed. Within this realm, certain individuals capture the public's attention, sometimes for their talents, sometimes for their eccentricities, and sometimes, unfortunately, for their vulnerability. These individuals, often unaware of the role they are playing, become the subject of intense online scrutiny, morphing into what the internet has come to know as "lolcows." This article will explore the origins, meaning, and implications of this term, delving into the lives of those who have found themselves grazing in this digital pasture.

Subject	Details
Term	Lolcow
Origin	Portmanteau of "lol" (laugh out loud) and "cow," signifying an individual exploited for entertainment.
Definition	A person online who is considered easily exploitable, often the target of trolls and ridicule. They are "milked" for the amusement of others.
Characteristics	Often exhibits eccentric behavior, problematic habits, or a vulnerability to manipulation. May be neurodivergent.
Purpose	Entertainment through mockery, ridicule, and exploitation. Often involves trolling and manipulation.
Notoriety	Gained prominence on forums, imageboards, and social media platforms.
Impact	Can lead to severe mental health issues, harassment, and reputational damage for the individuals involved.
Ethical Considerations	Raises questions about online ethics, cyberbullying, and the responsibility of online communities.
Sanitized Usage	Sometimes used to describe groups or individuals exhibiting ridiculous or embarrassing behavior, but still carries a negative connotation.
Related Terms	A.I.O.P.M (Amateur Internet Odd Person)
Associated Platforms	Forums (such as 4chan), imageboards, Reddit, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter/X
Notable Examples	Daniel Larson, Boogie2988, Cybersmith, Drachenlord, Spidey Turan.
Reference Website	Know Your Meme - Lolcow

The genesis of the term "lolcow" itself is rooted in internet slang, a language born from the quick-fire exchanges and anonymous interactions common to online forums and imageboards. Its a portmanteau, a blending of words, in this case, "lol" (laugh out loud) and "cow." The "cow" metaphor is particularly apt, as it suggests the individual is being "milked" for amusement, their actions and vulnerabilities exploited for the entertainment of others. This exploitation often takes the form of relentless trolling, harassment, and public mockery. The anonymity afforded by the internet provides a shield for those engaging in this behavior, making it difficult to hold them accountable for their actions.

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One of the earliest examples of a person becoming a subject of online ridicule comes from the world of competitive video games. Low Tier God, a prominent figure in the fighting game community, has built a significant following on YouTube since joining in January 2006, accumulating over 60,000 subscribers and 8 million views. His streams and videos, which feature gameplay, reactions, and personal opinions, have also made him a target, demonstrating how even those with some level of success can become the target of trolling campaigns.

The internet's memory is long, and once an individual is labeled a "lolcow," it can be difficult, if not impossible, to escape the label. Frankie, for example, who in 2012 posted a video of himself attempting to eat 50 hot dogs, became a point of amusement. The video gathered a massive 1.9 million likes over a decade, a testament to the longevity of these online memes.

The term has evolved over time, with some using it in a more "sanitized" way to describe individuals or groups engaging in what they perceive as ridiculous or embarrassing behavior. However, even in this context, the term carries a negative connotation and implies a degree of judgment and mockery. A sports team losing badly might be called a "lolcow," or a person making a social media gaffe might be similarly labeled.

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Daniel Larson, a TikTok personality, has become a notorious example of a modern-day lolcow. In late April 2024, Larson's life took a dramatic turn. He was arrested on federal charges, including threats and the potential use of explosives. This incident, quickly dubbed "Daniel Larson's federal arrest," brought intense scrutiny to his online activities and his role in the lolcow ecosystem. In late December 2024, an image of Larson standing in a corner became a popular meme, further cementing his status as a figure of online mockery. This case illustrates how quickly a seemingly innocuous online presence can spiral into a maelstrom of legal trouble and public ridicule.

The case of Cybersmith, also known as "Human Pet Guy," provides another chilling example. Cybersmith, who gained notoriety for his views on human pets, became the focus of online fascination, and subsequent ridicule. His views, including the hypothetical justification of forcibly disabling a human pet, were presented by his online presence and demonstrate the disturbing content that can be found within this community.

On July 22nd, 2024, the online world witnessed a convergence of the lolcow phenomenon when YouTubers Keemstar and Wings of Redemption, both prominent figures in online culture, streamed with Boogie2988 on the "lolcow live" YouTube channel. This event, which garnered over 340,000 views in just nine days, highlighted the appeal of watching and commenting on individuals who had been deemed lolcows. Boogie2988's situation is complicated by accusations from July 2024 alleging he faked a cancer diagnosis, a story that gained traction after a public confrontation during a livestream.

Spidey Turan, an Australian TikToker who streams his life as a sheep shearer in Western Australia, also exemplifies the dynamic of being an online lolcow. His content, focused on his job and daily life, has led to him being labeled as a lolcow.

The case of Tom Preston, a DeviantArt artist and webcomic creator, highlights another aspect of this phenomenon. Despite achieving a degree of success with his comic "So, You're a Cartoonist?", Preston has also become a subject of mockery due to the perceived quality of his art and comics, further illustrating how those in the creative space are vulnerable to becoming lolcows.

The use of the phrase "Sage goes in every field" is another indicator of the negativity associated with some online content and communities. It suggests that a thread is considered so egregious that users will enter the word "sage" into every available field in a futile attempt to bury it. This demonstrates a sense of disgust and a desire to distance oneself from the content, an almost automatic negative response.

The stories of these individuals are a stark reminder of the power of the internet to amplify both positive and negative aspects of human behavior. While the internet can be a place of connection, creativity, and community, it also harbors a darker side, where individuals are relentlessly targeted, exploited, and turned into symbols of online amusement.

The internet culture is a reflection of society itself, complete with its own complex set of ethical dilemmas and moral grey areas. Understanding the dynamics of the "lolcow" phenomenon allows us to explore these issues and understand the long-term effects on those who have been targeted.

The term "lolcow" and the practices associated with it prompt critical questions about online responsibility, cyberbullying, and the importance of empathy in the digital age.