Rickrolling

About

Rickrolling is a popular internet meme and prank that involves tricking someone into clicking a hyperlink that leads to the music video of Rick Astley's 1987 hit song "Never Gonna Give You Up." It is a form of bait-and-switch, where the link appears to be about something else but redirects to the music video. This prank originated on the 4chan website in 2007, initially as a spin-off of "duck rolling," another bait-and-switch prank. Rickrolling gained widespread attention in 2008, particularly when YouTube linked all its featured videos to "Never Gonna Give You Up" on April Fools' Day. The meme has become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of people being "Rickrolled" over the years. It has been used in various contexts, including social media, emails, and even live events. Rick Astley himself has participated in Rickrolling, famously performing the song at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2008. Despite its origins over a decade ago, Rickrolling remains a recognizable and enduring internet meme, often used humorously or ironically to surprise or prank others. Its longevity is a testament to its enduring appeal as a lighthearted and playful prank.