Everyone knows what a troll is, in part because most cultures have similar legends, because of the Trollz animated series, and of course the children’s book The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Of course there is a lot more to them and here are 5 facts you may not know.

1) Trolls originally come from Norse mythology, and are fearsome and terrible creatures that are more likely to eat you than exchange pleasantries or got o the pub for a brew. Other cultures have similar legends, for example Ogres in England.

2) One theory why these legends are so wide spread is that early human had interactions with Neanderthals, who were the basis of Trolls, Ogres, and similar legends. Although this was considered perhaps even silly until recently, we now know that humans and Neanderthals did in fact have an overlap and may have even interbred.

3) The funny or cute troll is a very modern idea. They were always scary and dangerous, similar to the ones in The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings books and movies.

4) The best known Trolls today are small collectible plastic dolls, with very bright synthetic hair that stands straight up and big child like eyes. There were started in 1959 by poor Danish fisherman, who fashioned one for his daughter as a Christmas gift he could not afford a Christmas present.

5) There is a Troll Museum in downtown New York run the self titled Reverend Jen which is fascinating and worth a visit by all fans as well as the merely curious.