The term 'froob' comes from the combination of the words 'free' and 'newbie' (which is often shortened to 'noob'), and is often used as both an identifier and a pejorative. This term was coined after FunCom launched their free game marketing campaign in 2004 which allows people to acquire accounts that were totally free for one year that included only the Classic game content (FunCom has since extended the free program year after year, and have extended it through 2010). This brought in a large influx of new players that did not know anything about the game, and often did not know anything about MMORPGs in general, leading to a broad dislike for the new players. Many established players found the offer of a free second account to be very appealing and used the chance to make accounts specifically for throw away character, Bots, or Mules.
In December of 2006, FunCom not only extended the 'Froob' account offers but also added The Notum Wars expansion to all free accounts, allowing them to gain the benefits of organizational contracts and land control towers, as well as officially participate in tower battles.
In 2008 (date may be off) Funcom introduced a social T-shirt call "the froob t-shirt" wearable by any player, with large capitol letters across the back that say "FROOB." This T-shirt is obtainable as loot from various Mobs in the subway dungeon.