I had this series of books on fairy tales and mythologies that was offered to me when I was around six, which I used to re-read regularly, and that I entirely blame for my love of Tolkien's work, and everything heroic fantasy in general. In scandinavian stories, you could be sure that the action would start once the trolls would show up, either in Peer Gynt's saga, or in those related to the gods. Sometimes it is hard to say though if we're talking about giants or trolls, like your article rightly points out: I remember very clearly that in one of those books, they said that Trym, who stole Thor's hammer and wanted Freyia as a bride in exchange, and who was fooled by Odin and Loki in the end, was called a troll, yet in other versions of the story, they call him giant only. Is it supposed to be the same? Is the confusion a result of different translations?

Also, you could add that in Norway, you have the famous "Trollstigveien" (picture): for having taken this road myself, I can assure you the name is well-deserved :P You can just picture them climbing this road in the middle of the mountains *g*

I have never particularly given much attention to the question myself, but do you think the trolls of Tolkien are particularly close to their legendary conterparts? The poor intellect is definitely a trait they share, but I can't remember of any "small" troll in Tolkien's stories, unless the late hour is playing a trick on me....