Have you been Rick Rolled? For people who've never encountered the phenomenon, Rick Rolling or Rickrolling is an internet hoax aimed at web surfers. The surfer clicks a link that suggests they may find something they are looking for, maybe pornography, news or even a recipe, but instead they are served a video of the great Rick Astley singing his 1987 hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. A harmless bit of fun
Although the prank started out in 2007 on the internet it has now made its way into other arenas with hoaxers playing the Rick Astley tune at football games and other popular sports events. There have also been a number of Rickrolling instances on television and radio and a recent occurrence of a flashmob at Londons Liverpool street station wherein the crowd all sang the great Rick Astley tune, ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.
Christmas brings loads of opportunities for some seasonal Rickrolling. High street shops are, sometimes annoyingly and incessantly, playing Christmas carols and pop tunes. If you work in a shop and need a break from the never ending Christmas tunes, why not slip a little Rick into the proceedings and declare that your Christmas shoppers have been Rickrolled. Dress up as Rick and mime to the tune, capture yourself on video and upload to Youtube for a little fame.
Then there are the Christmas even carol services in churches all over the world. If you have control of the church sound system why not have a little harmless fun and interject some Rick into the proceedings to Rickroll the congregation.
And what about carol singing? Rather than the boring old ‘Good King Wenceslas’ and ‘While Shepherds Washed Their Socks by Night’ why not dress up as Rick and serve up a rousing rendition of ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’. Bound to bring a smile to a few quizzical faces, even more amusing if you can dress up and do the Rick Astley dance, you're likely to make a little extra.
I'm a great fan of funny, harmless, whimsical practical jokes and Rickrolling is a fine example.
But you might be more interested in hot young babes or maybe a new van lease contract. Or, in this cold weather, maybe you need some good quality outdoor clothing.
