History Main / FandomBerserkButton

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[[quoteright:238:[[http://loldwell.com/?comic=return-of-the-nagging-of-the-nerds https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fandom_berserk_button.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:238:And no, [[IAmNotShazam his name]] ''isn't'' "Series/DoctorWho".]]


In every community for every series, there are common mistakes. Someone could [[SpellMyNameWithAnS use the wrong spelling]] of a character's name, or think that [[IAmNotShazam the title referred to the main character]], or insist on [[UrbanLegends spreading a rumor about the plot until everyone believes it]], or pigeon-holing fans into [[AcceptableHobbyTargets negative stereotypes]].

Sometimes, it goes further than just "dislike", though. Sometimes it crosses into BerserkButton territory; and the reaction is disproportionate rage at the offender.

'''Notice: Remember, [[MST3KMantra it's just a show, you should really just relax.]] Acting out on such relatively minor things will make you look petty at best.'''

See Also: CowboyBebopAtHisComputer (when media gets the facts wrong), DiscreditedMeme, FandomHeresy, IAmNotShazam, InternetBackdraft, RefrainFromAssuming (when a song title is different from its lyrics), SeriousBusiness, and BrokenBase.

%% When adding examples, please keep in mind that this trope covers audience and fandom reactions. It is '''not''' intended to be a catalog of misspellings, misconceptions, and common errors.
%% As an addition to the above, please don't list your personal pet peeves related to works here. Only list something if the majority of the fanbase is thrown into a rage by it.

'''This AudienceReaction has been subject to some misuse. FandomBerserkButton is for '''''objective''''' mistakes that annoy fans. Please read the following lists to make sure your example actually qualifies.'''

[[folder:Common Fandom Berserk Buttons]]

If you've seen fans get angry when someone does one of these things, chances are it should be added here. Note that this list isn't exhaustive, so even if it's not in there, it might still count. Just make sure it's not in the list of things that don't count.
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* [[IAmNotShazam Assuming a character's name based on the work's title]].
* Misspelling or mispronouncing a name, whether it belongs to a character, place, concept, the work itself, or the author.
* Mistaking fanon for canon, or mistaking something canon to only be fanon.
* Treating something that's [[CanonDiscontinuity non-canon]] as canon.
* Claiming that [[TheyCopiedItSoItSucks a work or character is a rip-off of another due to superficial resemblances]]. Bonus points if [[OlderThanTheyThink the work or character supposedly being ripped off actually debuted years after the so-called "rip-off"]].
* Assuming that a work is [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids "for kids"]] due to [[AnimationAgeGhetto its appearance]].
* Mistaking the work's genre, and complaining when it doesn't fit their expectations.
* [[AllAnimationIsDisney Mistaking the work's creator for another one due to similar styles.]]
* Confusing multiple similar characters for each other, or believing that they are all the same person.
* Making sweeping (and untrue) assumptions about the entire fanbase. For example, assuming that fans only like a work due to RuleThirtyFour. [[note]]Note that the mere act of drawing R34 isn't enough. See the folder of things that don't qualify below.[[/note]]
* [[ViewerGenderConfusion Getting a character's gender wrong]].
* Thinking [[AdaptationDisplacement an adaptation came before the original source material]] or that [[SequelDisplacement a sequel is the first entry in a series]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Things that do '''not''' qualify as Fandom Berserk Button]]

The following have frequently been added as examples in the past, despite not being '''objective''' misconceptions about the work. If your example fits one of these, it probably doesn't qualify. If you see an example that fits these, feel free to delete it.
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* Preferring one spelling of a character's name over another [[note]]This one mostly applies to transliterared names or names that have been spoken aloud, but never written (or [[SpellMyNameWithAnS written with inconsistent spelling, so nobody knows which is the official one]]). If there is an official spelling, but some fans often make mistakes with it, that does qualify.[[/note]].
* Admitting to having enjoyed certain parts of the work that [[FanonDiscontinuity other fans hate]] (such as the ''Franchise/StarWars'' prequels)
* Preferring TheFilmOfTheBook or other adaptation to the original, even if most fans hated it.
* Admitting that you only watched the adaptation and not the original source material.
* Admitting to liking TheScrappy or a BaseBreakingCharacter, or admitting to disliking a BaseBreakingCharacter.
** Admitting to disliking an EnsembleDarkhorse.
* Admitting to liking or disliking a ContestedSequel.
* [[SubbingVsDubbing Admitting to having watched or preferring the dubbed version of a foreign work]].
** Using a [[DubNameChange character's translated name]] instead of the original.
* Mentioning certain unpopular {{fanon}} theories[[note]]''Mistaking'' said theories for official canon can be a valid example, though, as can believing explicitly {{Jossed}} theories[[/note]].
* Using a {{discredited| meme}} or [[DudeNotFunny offensive]] {{meme|ticMutation}}.
* Not {{shipping}} the FanPreferredCouple.
** Liking an unpopular pairing.
** Liking controversial pairings, such as [[RomanticizedAbuse an abusive one]] or one that changes a canonically non-straight character's sexual orientation.
* Admitting that you dislike the series or its SacredCow.
* Drawing fanart that makes certain changes to the characters. Even if the changes are potentially controversial or offensive, such as altering a character's [[RaceLift ethnicity]] or body type. ''Especially'' not if the fanart is a "humanized" version of a non-human character.
* Creating or admitting to enjoying RuleThirtyFour or otherwise sexualized fanwork. Not even if said fanwork depicts illegal or controversial situations, or if the source material is for kids and fans are worried [[HarmfulToMinors said kids might accidentally stumble upon said fanwork]].
* Referencing a character with an AmbiguousGender as either gender, or bringing up gender with a character that dresses as the opposite gender or otherwise has an AmbiguousGenderIdentity.
* [[StopHavingFunGuys Not playing a video game the "proper" way]]:
** Using the TierInducedScrappy.
** Picking a level outside of the AbridgedArenaArray.
** Using certain cheap strategies to win.
** Playing on an EasierThanEasy mode.
* Comparing the work to [[FandomRivalry a rival fandom's]].
* Mocking or disrespecting UnacceptableTargets (the fandom will still hate you, though).
* Disagreeing politically with most fans. Not even if someone's being bigoted against a large portion of the fanbase (such as homophobia for a work with a large LGBTFanbase). Any misconceptions from which this bigotry might arise is not a misconception about the work in question.
* Mentioning or liking a work that's been subject to ItsPopularNowItSucks.
%%Add other examples above these, since they're more important.
* Anything from the list of things that do qualify, if it's not common or severe enough to significantly bother fans of the work every time it comes up. Giving a reason why the misconception is so common is a good way to make sure your example doesn't fall into this (as well as avoiding being a Administrivia/ZeroContextExample).
* And most of all, admitting to being a fan of the work or simply mentioning it around [[FanHater non-fans]]. Non-fans' reactions to anything are outside the scope of ''Fandom'' Berserk Button.
[[/folder]]

[[noreallife]]
----
!!Examples
[[index]]
* FandomBerserkButton/AnimeAndManga
* FandomBerserkButton/LiveActionFilms
* FandomBerserkButton/LiveActionTV
* FandomBerserkButton/{{Music}}
* FandomBerserkButton/ProfessionalWrestling
* FandomBerserkButton/{{Sports}}
* FandomBerserkButton/VideoGames
** ''FandomBerserkButton/{{Pokemon}}''
** ''FandomBerserkButton/SonicTheHedgehog''
* FandomBerserkButton/WesternAnimation
[[/index]]

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* There's sometimes confusion about whether it's ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' or "The Watchmen". This provoked a lot of fan-rage when the [[Film/{{Watchmen}} movie]] came out, especially because "watchmen" was an [[ArcWords Arc Word]] in the comic, and became the name of a superhero team in the movie. (In the comic, Captain Metropolis's team is called "The Crimebusters".)
* This sometimes happens regarding ComicBook/LexLuthor's name in Franchise/{{Superman}} media, particularly ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]''. A talk show host interviewing Luthor, who happens to be running for President at the time, pronounces it Luther, while in another episode Superman gets it right by forcing the 'thor' part. It's also hard to shake Creator/NedBeatty's unforgettable Brooklynite rendition in ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'', "Mistah Loo-Toah!"
* Making character calls about the modern versions of DC superheroes by using evidence from before ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'' (unless you're talking about a large number of specific characters who died during/weren't rewritten by the event) is a great way to get everyone on the forum to laugh their asses off. A big example is citing that Batman uses guns and kills, things that were phased out incredibly quickly are '''very obviously''' not canon. Also, mixing up which of said rewritten characters had their pasts completely wiped, which ones were rebooted in a modern setting, and which ones had their continuity subjected to BroadStrokes, ''and'' how broad those strokes are for each character and each past event, will earn you just as much ridicule. Yes, keeping up with [[ContinuitySnarl comic continuity]] is widely known to be a bitch, but this is widely considered basic knowledge that comes right after figuring out which characters belong to Marvel and which to DC.
* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' has Ra's Al Ghul. According to [[WordOfGod Denny O'Neil]], his name was originally meant to be pronounced 'Raesh'. While the phrase "head of the demon" does indeed translate into "ra's al-ghuul" in real Arabic (suggesting the character's name is NOT supposed to consist of a made-up language), the pronunciation does not contain the sounds "i" or "sh". In ''Film/BatmanBegins'' it's pronounced 'Rahs', which is much closer to the actual pronunciation. Still, pronouncing it in any way other than 'Raesh' will attract much ire from fans. In ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'', Terry is "corrected" by Talia [[spoiler: actually Ra's]] after pronouncing it "Rahs".
* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'':
** In regard to Mirage Comics-based Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles (or the early IDW issues), asking why all of the Turtles are wearing red, or "why they're all Raph", or any indication that their original bandana color is weird and foreign.
** Mixing up the Turtles' names, or calling something that's not even one of their names ("Galileo", "Yoda", etc.)
** Raph and Mikey tend to get their shortened names spelled wrong - as "Ralph" and "Mickey".
* Franchise/{{Batman}}
** "So why ''doesn't'' he just kill the Joker?" This has been such a sticky subject for fans that comic writers and even the ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamSeries'' have adapted this topic.
** "Isn't Batman just as crazy as his villains?"
* For fans of the ''ComicBook/DisneyDucksComicUniverse'', featuring Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge, particularly old-school fans of Creator/CarlBarks' work: Referring to the comics as "WesternAnimation/DuckTales1987 comics" or [[AdaptationDisplacement primarily associating]] characters like Scrooge, Gyro or the Beagle Boys with ''[=DuckTales=]'' is a sure recipe for a fan rant.
* A general one for DC Comics fans, but a major one for fans of the character himself, is to call ComicBook/{{Aquaman}} useless. The guy has numerous powers beyond just talking to fish and is more than just his ''WesternAnimation/{{Superfriends}}'' incarnation. Making these jokes means you're basically admitting you don't read DC comics or are a KnowNothingKnowItAll when it comes to Aquaman.
* ComicBook/AntMan: Want to piss off Marvel Comics fans, especially ComicBook/AntMan fans? Call Hank Pym [[NeverLiveItDown a wifebeater]]. Given how grossly such a statement oversimplifies the incident in question and the fact that neither the writers nor the haters ever shut up about it, this is rather understandable.
* One that applies to a lot of the DC fanbase but also specifically for the ''[[Franchise/TheFlash Flash]]'' fanbase is saying Superman is faster than any Flash that's not Jay Garrick. Not that people didn't have fun with the stories where that was a plot point, it's just acknowledged that having the Flash be faster than Superman is just better for the Justice League's dynamic, as well as making Superman less overpowered. (As a ContinuityNod, in Flash:Rebirth, Superman is chasing Flash to stop him from making a Heroic Sacrifice and says "We've raced before, Barry. I even won some of those races." Flash gives him a pitying look and says "Those were for ''charity'', Clark," before leaving Supes in the dust.)
* Saying to fans of non-superhero comics that non-cape comics aren't "real" comics. Similarly, instantly thinking "comic book" is synonymous with "superhero"; just because one is the dominant genre in a medium, it doesn't mean it's all they are. This is often due to ValuesDissonance; America mostly favors superhero comics while other countries favor other genres.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Computing]]
* The editor of one early (late 1970s) British computer magazine persistently claimed that the difference between compilers and interpreters was "academic", even in the face of corrections from knowledgeable readers, until one month he learned the hard way just how wrong he was, by wasting three pages of the mag on a worthless hex-dump of the workspace of a BASIC interpreter. The mag didn't last very much longer after that issue.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* You'll be sure to rile up ''WesternAnimation/{{Coraline}}'' fans if you call it a Creator/TimBurton movie. The most likely cause of this confusion is that the advertising proclaimed it to be "From the director of ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas''"...but the director of both, and the man referred to in the advertising, was Henry Selick. [[DirectorDisplacement Many people think Burton directed ''Nightmare'', but he actually only produced it and worked on its story]]. It may have been intentional wording, however, to deliberately make people think of the more well-known Burton while still being accurate.
* Don't mistake ''WesternAnimation/{{Paranorman}}'' for a Tim Burton movie.
* Mistaking a CGI Creator/{{Disney}} film like ''Disney/WreckItRalph'' or ''Disney/{{Bolt}}'' for a Disney-Creator/{{Pixar}} film is not wise around animation fans. In particular, ''WesternAnimation/{{Planes}}'' is a {{spinoff}} created by Disney Toon Studios (mostly known for their direct-to-video sequels, prequels, and interquels) and is ''not'' a Pixar movie - but it doesn't stop many people from mistakenly blaming Pixar for it.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Anastasia}}'' is ''not'' a Disney movie (though there is a red-headed Disney ''character'' [[NamesTheSame named]] [[Disney/{{Cinderella}} Anastasia]]).
* Creator/DonBluth worked at Disney for a while in the 70s, which includes working on the short ''Disney/TheSmallOne''. However, [[AllAnimationIsDisney call a post-departure Don Bluth movie a Disney movie]] when there are Don Bluth fans around. You'll be sure to irk someone.
* Calling all animated films as only for little kids is sure to spark some kind of backlash, as plenty of animated films are rather mature. It is a medium, not a genre after all. Calling ''Disney/TheLionKing'' a little kids' film that nobody should cry at is a surefire way to elicit a reaction along the lines of "Have you even ''seen'' the film?".
* ''Disney/{{Frozen}}'':
** ''Don't'' call Elsa "Princess Elsa". Aside from the beginning of the film where she is a princess (though never referred to as such), she is '''Queen''' Elsa, and making the mistake of calling her "Princess" ''will'' cause backlash.
** Don't call Elsa a villain. Yes, she was originally written as one and maybe some of her actions are questionable, even if they're accidents, but the fandom will ''not'' take kindly to Elsa being called a villain.
** Confusing Elsa with [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy Rosalina]] isn't a good idea.
** An easy way to get a rise out of ''Frozen'' fans is to say Anna is a ripoff of [[Disney/{{Tangled}} Rapunzel]] and Disney can't design female characters anymore. Honey Lemon from ''Disney/BigHero6'' faces similar debates.
* Do not assume that Spider-Ham from ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' was inspired by the Spider-Pig gag from ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie''. He was [[OlderThanTheyThink actually created]] [[ComicBook/SpiderHam as a one-off character in 1983]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* [[Literature/{{Timeline191}} In one series]] of Creator/HarryTurtledove books [[Literature/{{Timeline191}} (known, alternatively, as TL-191 or the Southern Victory series)]], a Confederacy that survives into the 20th century is taken over by the dictator Jake Featherston, who is a Hitler analog. For some reason, people insist on misspelling it as "Featherstone". This really pisses off fans, but what ''really'' got people mad was when the misspelling appeared on the freakin' dustjacket of one of the books.
* OlderThanRadio: In Mary Shelley's ''Literature/{{Frankenstein}}; or, The Modern Prometheus'', Victor Frankenstein constructs and brings to life [[FrankensteinsMonster his Creature]] or, if you prefer, Monster. The Creature itself is never named. Thanks to many films, comics and stage plays running the whole gamut of quality, people have been using the term "Frankenstein" to refer to his Creature (and being criticized for it) since the 19th century, to the point that using "Frankenstein" without clarifying immediately makes people think that you're erroneously referring to the monster! For example, ''Toys/MonsterHigh'' got called out on this when it first came out and still does. It's a weird situation, because Frankie is indeed the daughter of the Monster and his Bride, but the Monster learned mad science from his creator, and in turn created his daughter.
* Some fans of that lady who wrote the ''[[Literature/DragonridersOfPern Pern]]'' books are rather grumpy about "[=McCaffery=]", probably because her last name was "[[Creator/AnneMcCaffrey McCaffrey]]".
* Creator/JRRTolkien
** Some fans of Tolkien are grumpy about spelling his surname "Tolkein" or pronouncing it "Tol-kin", "Tol-kyen" or "Tolky-yen" rather than "Tol-Keen". And even spelling "Middle-earth" as "Middle-Earth" in extreme cases.
** Referring to ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' as a trilogy. Tolkien wrote it as simply a single book, and only very grudgingly agreed to publish it in three parts as paper was in short supply after World War II and putting out a single {{Doorstopper}} would have involved such a huge price tag that no one would buy it.
** Whenever someone mispronounces [[Literature/TheHobbit Smaug's]] name, usually gets this reaction. The correct way is "sm-''ow''-g", not "smog". Ditto Sauron (first syllable rhymes with "sour," not "soar") or any proper name beginning with the letter C (always a hard-c or "k" sound, never a soft-c or "s" sound) (e.g. Cirdan or Celebrimbor).
* Many of the fans of the ''Literature/WarriorCats'' series will scream (or at least groan) should you make the mistake of not capitalizing the word "Clan". There are four ''Clans'' (five if you count [=SkyClan=]). The main characters are in Thunder''Clan''. Their ancestors are Star''Clan''. And don't you dare suggest otherwise. Perhaps justified in that this is pounded into your brain for over twenty books, and not bothering with grammar rules automatically gets you labeled as an idiot on the major forum. Not to mention capitalizing the second part of a cat's name; it's Firestar, not [=FireStar=].
* Creator/LewisCarroll:
** In the world of ''Literature/TheHuntingOfTheSnark'', if your snark[[note]]no, not ''[[DeadpanSnarker that]]'' kind[[/note]] happens to be a boojum, "you will softly and ''suddenly'' vanish away, and never be met with again." ''Not'' "softly and ''silently''". This did cause arguments [[OlderThanRadio way back then]], with one fan, [[OnlinePersonas Snarkophilius Snobbs]], becoming infamous for persisting with this misquote.
** In the presence of hardcore [[Creator/LewisCarroll Carrollians]], never refer to the Hatter as the Mad Hatter, or to the Jabberwock as the [[IAmNotShazam Jabberwocky]].
** For the love of life ''don't claim Carroll was a pedophile, repressed or otherwise.'' Or on drugs. Given the nature of most Carrollians, though, you're less likely to get flamed and more likely to be firmly sat down for a WallOfText essay on how whichever myth you claimed as truth came to be, and a healthy helping of evidence debunking it.
* J.M. Barrie has been on the record as Not A Pedophile since around the time of his death.
* ''Literature/HarryPotter'' fandom is large and diverse enough that almost anything is acceptable in some circles, but in general the following rules hold:
** '''Electric technology at Hogwarts''' isn't permissible in any dose. Things that work electronically, like anything that runs on batteries, ''do not work.'' Things that work ''mechanically,'' such as Harry's watch, are okay.
** '''Hermione's name''' is Hermione. Unless you're Grawp or Viktor. There are absolutely no other exceptions. "Hermy" is an elf from ''WesternAnimation/RudolphTheRedNosedReindeer''.
* Creator/PGWodehouse's [[Literature/JeevesAndWooster Jeeves]] is [[TheJeeves a valet]], not a butler. Not that you can exactly be blamed for making the mistake, since it even occurs on book jackets. That he can and has acted as a butler (one book has him as one for a temporary stint) confuses the matter further.
* Creator/GeorgeRRMartin's ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
** While not likely to get you flamed, referring to the series as "Game of Thrones" (the title of the HBO show based on the series which takes its name from the first book) is a good indicator of what kind of fan you are.
** Don't refer to Asha as Yara unless you want to be laughed at. Also, it's Jon, not John; Robb, not Rob; Grey Wind, not Greywind; and Shaggydog, not Shaggy Dog.
** Daenerys has several. Her name is Daenerys, not Danaerys; some people make this mistake because her father was Aerys. She is nicknamed Dany, not Danny or Dani. And "Khaleesi" is one of her titles, but should never be treated as if it's her actual name.
* Don Rumata from ''Literature/HardToBeAGod'' is '''not''' a Progressor, and don't refer to him as a Progressor in the presence of Creator/StrugatskyBrothers fan.
* In the ''Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse'', even ''mentioning'' Mandalorians as having a philosophical point is a good way of inducing vitriolic backlash (or terrible debates) in some circles.
* Don't make the mistake of referring to ''Catching Fire'' and ''Mockingjay'' as ''[[Literature/TheHungerGames Hunger Games]] 2'' and ''Hunger Games 3'', or calling Peeta Mellark ''Peter''!
* ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'':
** The book was written by Steven Erikson, not Steve Erickson, Stephen Erickson, or even Erik Stevenson. Have the decency to take a look at the cover.
* Creator/TerryPratchett fans love discussing the many references and homages in his work, especially the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novels. Using a phrase such as "nicked this bit from..." is another matter, and may result in irony being deployed, especially if you're talking about a work that actually postdates ''Discworld'', or a concept that existed in many forms before Sir Terry used it. If it's ''Franchise/HarryPotter'', just stop now.
* Don't ever refer to ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'' in chronological rather than publication order. This gets especially bad with ''The Magician's Nephew'', a prequel about the creation of Narnia published second to last which is drenched with {{Call Forward}}s that can only be appreciated if you've read all the other books, yet even some official publications label it the first book.
* ''Literature/CthulhuMythos'':
** Don't insist there's a good versus evil dichotomy between the [[BlueAndOrangeMorality Outer Gods and Elder Gods]]; while there are some authors (most notably, August Derleth) who use this idea, Lovecraft never intended for the Mythos to be reduced to humanly comprehensible morality, and doing so [[CosmicHorror kind of defeats the purpose.]]
** Really hardcore fans will yell at anyone who calls it "The Cthulhu Mythos", preferring the term "Yog-Sothothery" instead, since the former was coined by Derleth and the latter by Lovecraft's circle.
* Fans of Creator/DanteAlighieri (and literature lovers in general) tend to get annoyed at people who refer to his most famous work as ''Dante's Inferno''. For the record: the work in question is called ''Literature/TheDivineComedy'', and "Inferno" is the first part of it (followed by "Purgatorio" and "Paradiso"). Referring to ''The Divine Comedy'' as ''The Inferno'' is a bit like referring to ''Franchise/StarWars'' as ''Film/ThePhantomMenace''.[[note]] And even if you really ''are'' just referring to the first part, they still might make fun of you for calling it "Dante's Inferno". For the record: it's just "Inferno"; Dante wasn't quite egotistical enough to [[InCaseYouForgotWhoWroteIt put his name in the title]].[[/note]]
* Many ''Literature/TheWickedYears'' fans aren't fond of people (mainly [[Theatre/{{Wicked}} fans of the musical]]) who insist that the book is canon to ''Film/TheWizardOfOz''. It isn't--it's not a PerspectiveFlip but an AlternateContinuity that, if anything, takes more inspiration from the original ''Literature/LandOfOz'' books. By that merit, it's also not a PerspectiveFlip on Baum's books. The series composites various ''Oz'' adaptations into one narrative.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Pinball]]
* Don't call it "tilting" instead of "nudging". Pinball enthusiasts will remind you that "tilting" is what happens when you excessively nudge the table and void your current ball as a result.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Science]]
* Some physicists and mathematicians ''hate'' when you mispronounce "Euler", and saying it as "you-ler"[[note]]It's OY-ler, because of how German spelling works.[[/note]] will earn you the ire from anyone who generally knows who he was. Case in point, [[PickACard pick a YouTube video, any YouTube video]] of an Euler's disk with a "you-ler" pronunciation. At least half of the comments will be correcting their pronunciation.
* Paleobiology fans will ''not'' react well if you say that [[GiantFlyer pterosaurs]], [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs dinosaurs]], or any kind of large extinct reptile are all one and the same.
* Whining about how the paleontological discoveries of the last several decades have "ruined your childhood" (namely the fact that at least certain theropods, and quite possibly most dinosaurs in general, had feathers or feather-like integument of some form) is an even more surefire way to earn you a punch in the face.
* Domesticated ferrets are not rodents, are not omnivorous, and are not wild animals. Don't confuse them with Black-footed Ferrets. One former NYC mayor infamously bugged a lot of ferret owners when he mocked them for protesting against anti-ferret laws, calling them rodents and other negative things, which causes him to be Flame Bait even over twenty years later.
* Never refer to a hypothesis as a 'Theory' unless you want countless scientists telling you how a hypothesis is 'A question based on observations that is able to be tested', while a Theory is 'a well-substantiated, unifying explanation for a set of verified, proven hypotheses.'
* Don't ask why "if humans evolved from monkeys then why are there still monkeys?" and expect anything but annoyance over your total ignorance over how evolutionary biology and speciation works. Extant non-human primates are not our ancestors, they are our cousins.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons:''
** D&D has demons and devils. Many, many fans commonly mistake the two (which isn't really helped by the fact that the earliest editions just had demons, but no devils) and nearly just as many are really anal about fans who can't get it right. And when you throw in the fact that the most common kind of both demons and devils have more specific names (Tanar'ri and Baatezu respectively), it all just gets very messy, very fast. Plus other kinds like obyrith and archdevils that more pure-blooded fans know about. Part of this comes from the fact that, in many versions of the game, demons and devils DO have objective differences based on Alignment: while both are always Evil, Demons are characterized as always Chaotic, Devils are always Lawful. This extends to other celestial beings like Angels, Archons, Devas, Asuras, etc., where it is less defined.
** Misspelling [[RougeAnglesOfSatin "rogue" as "rouge"]] will get you flamed in most online fora.
** Every edition of the game has had a major revision about halfway through in order to, depending on who you ask, fix balance issues or sell more books. The revision of third edition is officially called 3.5. The revision of second edition ("Player's Options") is frequently called 2.5 and that's no big deal. However, calling the revision of fourth edition ("Essentials") "4.5" is a berserk button among fans of that edition.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}''. Even in the game world itself, referring to The Computer as "the Computer" or, worse, "the computer" can get you a summary execution. "Friend Computer" will do.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': Unless you're using a specific house rule to allow it, rolling a natural 20 or a natural 1 does ''not'' result in an automatic success or failure (respectively) on anything other than an attack roll or a save. Suggesting to a hardcore group of players that they apply to skill or attribute checks may earn anything from scowls to mockery to firm suggestions to try reading the rules.
** This also applies to D&D 3.x, the rules on with Pathfinder is based.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''
** Demon is an acceptable vernacular, though the preferred word is Daemon. Lord help you if you get the A and the E confused.
** Space Marines armies aren't "pretty much all the same". There are myriad differences between the named codices, much less the various ways the plain Space Marines codex is interpreted by both players and in-universe Marine leaders.
** Every army in Codex: Space Marines isn't "pretty much Ultramarines". Depending on who you ask this is either Ultramarines propaganda, or egregious and atrocious canon manipulation by Matt Ward.
** The Ultramarines themselves are polarizing. Even before Ward changed the fluff to make them the "default" loyalist army they were scorned by non-Ultramarine players because they were GW's poster boy army. However Ward's comments that every Space Marine chapter secretly looked up to the Ultramarines and beheld their primarch Roboute Guilliman as their "spiritual liege" whom they all aspired to emulate really set the Ultramarines hate to a new level. Bringing up the Ultramarines won't get you into trouble in and of itself, but mentioning the title "spiritual liege" will. Especially from a Space Wolves, Black Templars, Imperial Fists or Blood Angels player; who hold their primarchs in equally high regard.
** Blood Angels and Dark Angels are '''very''' different armies; do not confuse them.
** One of the fastest way of pissing off a Blood Angels fan is by saying "You painted your [[VideoGame/DawnOfWar Blood Ravens]] wrong".
** Do not call an individual unit selected from ''Codex: Black Templars'' a singular "Black Templar". You can call them by their unit names when all else fails. You can also call them an Initiate or a Crusader.
** They're Or'''k'''s. "Orcs & Goblins" are in the other ''Warhammer'' game (see below). The K is important, especially to Ork players, who have been known to hound people til they leave a forum for making this mistake.
** For Orks, the "g" in "WAAAGH!" is silent. If you forget that, then fans might call one on you.
** Do not call armies fielded from ''Codex: Space Marines'' "vanilla" or "generic" Space Marines without knowing your opponent really well. Many Space Marine players take offense to both terms. This has largely crossed into [[DeadHorseTrope dead horse territory]] with the 6th edition codex folding many chapters into the book and creating "Chapter Tactics". Now it's very common to ask a Space Marines player what chapter he's representing since the chapter tactics are a very important part of the metagame. Add in the litany of supplements released for chapters (Iron Hands, Imperial Fists, etc.) and pretty much nobody gets slapped with the "vanilla" label... except the Smurfs.
** Ultramarines players, for the most part, hate being called "Smurfs". The Smurf moniker came about because of the blue armor Ultramarines wear, and the fact that Ultramarines are over-represented in fluff, artwork and special characters since they are the flagship Space Marines chapter. A simple look through the 6th Edition codex reveals five special characters for the Ultras, while no other chapter has more than 2.
** Don't use "Real Warhammer" or "Original Warhammer" to indicate that you mean ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' to a 40k player. Also don't call it just "Warhammer" and assume they know what you mean. 40k-exclusive players consider 40k '''Real''' Warhammer. The accepted terms of distinction are "Fantasy" and "40k". You can also call Fantasy "Classic". Also bear in mind, a considerable population plays both.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}''
** Don't called Dwarfs "Dwarves." The former is the plural in Warhammer Fantasy, the latter is the plural in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''. Hilariously, Tolkien actually admitted in his lifetime that he wanted the pluralization to be 'dwarfs', but thanks to his editor erroneously seeing it as an error, it was changed to Dwarves, which Tolkien then kept as 'a private piece of bad grammar'. (He would have preferred 'dwarrows' anyway.)
* ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' Clan fans don't like it when you call the Timber Wolf and Summoner their Inner Sphere names [=MadCat=] and Thor. Lest you want to be called a "Freebirth Stravag". (Most Clan mechs have two canonical names, but one is considered correct and the other is a reporting name by their enemies.)
* Never ask a WARMACHINE player if they're playing Warhammer. Just... don't.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theatre]]
* Saying that ''Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'' is set in 1870 is a good way to get a long talk about the Franco-Prussian War, the Commune of Paris, and research errors in general.
* ''Theatre/LesMiserables'': Enjolras' flippant comment in the book and 2012 movie notwithstanding, the story does ''not'' take place during the French Revolution. The barricade scenes are set during the June Rebellion, over forty years after the French Revolution.
* Claiming that Creator/WilliamShakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon didn't write all those plays. It's excusable if you suggest that John Fletcher collaborated on a few of them, though (since there's documented evidence that they worked together on ''The Two Noble Kinsmen'' and the lost ''Cardenio'', and probably ''Henry VIII'' as well).
* The names of the main characters in ''Theatre/SweeneyToddTheDemonBarberOfFleetStreet'' are spelt "Sweeney Todd" (three E's, two D's) and "Lovett" (not Lovet, Lovette, Lovatt etc). This is incredibly common online, and drives some fans to ''Epiphany''-level rage.
* In the world of Opera Fandom (yes, there is an Opera Fandom) there are numerous mistakes that outsiders/newcomers can make. And don't think that just because the Opera crowd is metaphorically monocled and top-hatted that their fury is less passionate than the most devoted Trekkies or Whovians.
** Do '''not''' ever ever refer to ''Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'' as an opera in front of an opera fan. The fact that the word 'opera' is in the title does not make it one. It is a musical. A Broadway production. The same thing goes for ''Theatre/LesMiserables'' and other such works. Don't call them operas in front of your opera-loving friends... unless you hate them and want to end the friendship, of course.
** By all means, love your Sarah Brightman and Il Divo [=CDs=]. But do not call them opera singers. Do not tell opera fans that you like Katherine Jenkins' version of the Habanera the best. Singers like these may sound 'operatic' to non-opera fans, but they are NOT opera singers. They are classical crossover singers, and to actual Opera fans, they are hair-rippingly maddening. Especially because many of them have neither the vocal type nor the skill to sing the opera snippets they choose properly. If you know an opera fan, please do not make them sit through Jackie Evancho, Paul Potts, or any of the other Talent Show 'opera' singers. You will drive them crazier than [[http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/sites/www.limelightmagazine.com.au/files/Galleries/20121004054758_Emma%20Matthews.jpg Lucia di Lammermoor]].
** Opera fans will take umbrage at the stereotype of a fat, ugly woman in a horned helmet. Many, if not most opera chanteuses are [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Maria_Callas_(La_Traviata).JPG neither fat]], [[http://wuol.org/wp-content/uploads/fleming.jpg nor ugly]]. Some are [[http://www.actors-pictures.com/pictures/anna-netrebko-18.jpg downright]] [[http://elinagaranca.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Garanca_GABO_06.jpg gorgeous]].
** A stereotype is that opera is just a bunch of controlled screaming. If you say this, even jokingly, to an opera fan, you will be pulverized and forced to listen to their entire playlist until you concede defeat and tell them that opera is beautiful. To be honest though, how could anyone call [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h34omCNzK9g this]] screaming? Or [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWOyF1EHJ8c this]]?
** Opera fans don't like it when every single singer who has a big voice with lots of vibrato is called an "opera singer," regardless of whether or not s/he actually sings opera. Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman are common examples.
* ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' is ''not'' set in the same canon of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' or ''Literature/LandOfOz''. It's not meant to be a canonical story in either universe, but many viewers take it as so. ''Wicked'' is mishmash of canons (MGM's green-skinned Wicked Witch and Oz being in a separate universe from Kansas, several book-only characters and references, etc) set in its own continuity. Fans of all three incarnations get bitter when people mistake them for one and the same.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Toys]]
* Franchise/{{LEGO}}
** As [[Webcomic/PennyArcade Gabe]] [[http://www.penny-arcade.com/2003/6/13/ discovered]], fans are all too ready to point out that the plural of LEGO is LEGO. Funnily enough, this rule gets broken in the first ''VideoGame/LEGOIsland'' game when DJ Radio delivers the headline "[=LEGOs=] [[RecycledInSPACE in SPACE!]]".[[note]]Unless it was intended as the contraction "LEGO's", i.e. "''LEGO is'' in SPACE!"[[/note]] The LEGO Group used to specifically make the point on the packaging that they should be called "[[StuckOnBandAidBrand LEGO bricks or toys]]" and not "[=LEGOs=]". They were worried about their trademark becoming genericized, as happened to, say, aspirin, escalator, and linoleum.
* ''Toys/{{BIONICLE}}'':
** Calling Toa or Matoran "[=BIONICLE=]s" ''will'' result in a massive InternetBackdraft. Pluralizing the ''title'' will get you obliterated. Don't even think about calling them "Bionicles."
** There is a reason why ''BIONICLE'' is not under the LEGO section in this folder. Do not refer to ''BIONICLE'' as "that LEGO story" or otherwise try and imply that it is "just a story used to sell toys".
* ''Franchise/MyLittlePony'':
** Stallions have always existed in the series, with the only exception being G3 (2003-2009). Despite this people often say that the franchise, especially G1, is female only and it pisses fans off.
** G2 never had a cartoon. ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTales'' is G1. The gens are based on the toys, not how many cartoons are released.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Universities and Colleges]]
* Auburn University's sports teams are the Tigers, not the Eagles or the War Eagles. "War Eagle" is a cheer that Auburn uses, and the name of its fight song, but it has nothing to do with the team itself. The school itself even has [[http://www.auburntigers.com/trads/09_auburn_war_eagle.html a webpage]] pointing this out, and explains the UrbanLegends and other stories about where the term is believed to have come from.
* The University of Southern California is definitely NOT to be called "Southern Cal" as it is a private institution and not part of the University of California system. It is called "SC" or "USC", although the University of South Carolina has a claim on that one.
* It's Ole Miss and LSU, not "Mississippi" or "Louisiana State". If you want to be excessively formal while talking about the educational institutions themselves, you can say "'''University of''' Mississippi" and "Louisiana State '''University'''", but in any other context -- ''especially'' sports -- you use the nicknames.
* Fans of Stanford University's sports teams will not hesitate to loudly and frequently remind you that their team is the Stanford ''Cardinal'', not the Cardinal'''s'''. That is, they are Cardinal, the shade of red, not Cardinals, the birds (or Catholic leaders). Gods help you if you suggest that their mascot is a cardinal.[[note]]It's a tree, which is incidentally not Cardinal-colored.[[/note]]
* It's ''Johns Hopkins'' University. As in, both words end in the letter s. Not "John Hopkins", and definitely not "John Hopkin." The founder's parents decided to name him "Johns" (after his mother's family name) rather than "John." It's led to over a century of irritated students and alumni correcting people who can't possibly believe that it would be "Johns", even people who really should know better (like long-time Baltimore residents). Also, while the medical school is the most famous part of Hopkins, it offers areas of study as varied as any other top research university. Assuming that everyone who attends Hopkins is studying to become a doctor is a great way to irritate the majority who are not.
* Pronouncing the H in "Amherst, Massachusetts" will mark you as an outsider to any Amherst student or townie. Also, assuming that an Amherst College student means [=UMass=] when s/he says s/he went to "Amherst" will not endear you to him/her.
* Do ''not'' refer to Maize as yellow in the context of the University of Michigan's color (unless you are singing the alma mater, which is actually called "The Yellow and Blue"). Likewise, do not refer to Rutgers' scarlet or Harvard's and Alabama's crimson as red.
* If you're in Britain, don't call University "College". College is an alternative to Sixth Form that many British teenagers do, or one of the institutions that make up [[{{UsefulNotes/Oxbridge}} Oxford and Cambridge Universities]]. Or a further education college, a category which includes but is not limited to sixth-form colleges. The British university system was reformed in the 1990s and institutions perceived as being at a lower status/academic level, the old polytechnics and some of the larger tech colleges, were allowed to step up and recharter as new universities. These institutions remain sensitive about their origins and the perceived snobbery of those who still persist in thinking of them as somehow "inferior" and not real universities. Anyone who, for instance, refers to Manchester Metropolitan University as "Oh, you mean the ''Poly''?" or Owain Glyndwr University of Wrexham as "Ah, the tech college on Mold Road?" is risking pressing a berserk button, and accusations that they're being snooty and superior. Any reference to "[[UsefulNotes/BritishUnis Clown Colleges]]" can be fighting talk in some quarters. A similar tradition also applies to universities in Hong Kong, with universities being institutes for Bachelor Degrees, and colleges (or technically, community colleges) being institutes for Associate Degrees and High Diploma.
* The Oxford college that has a cathedral is called Christ Church, not Christ Church College.
* New York University's mascot is a Bobcat. Their sports teams, however, are the 'Violets.' Calling the teams 'the Bobcats' is a surefire way to identify someone as an incoming freshman or non-NYU student, and draw ire from current students and alumni.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Visual Novels]]
* Say that visual novels are just video games and aren't unique enough to be considered a different medium. Some fans will just shrug and move on, but most will rip your throat out. However, there are VN fans who resent being categorized as different because it means they're "not ''real'' games", so it ends up being a case of InternetBackdraft either way.
* Creator/KeyVisualArts
** Don't tell any fan that [[ArtisticAge the characters are lolis]]. Don't even comment that they ''look'' like kids -- unless the character is specifically pointed out in canon to look young, like [[VisualNovel/{{Kanon}} Ayu]] or [[VisualNovel/LittleBusters Kud]] -- and especially don't say that their canon ages are "just a number tacked on so you don't get arrested". In keeping with the aforementioned ArtisticAge, all the haremettes are in high school, often late high school, and so are the protagonists. The fans are really tired of hearing it.
** Specific to ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}'', the widespread use of "uguu" by detractors of {{moe}} in general, many of whom have never even heard of ''Kanon'', gets annoying. The fact that about five minutes passes from the first time Ayu says 'uguu' to [[AffectionateParody the first time the game makes fun of the whole thing]] (and even less time in the anime) [[RedundantParody is a big factor here]]. "[[MemeticMutation AM I KAWAII UGUU?]]" is right out.
* Expressing {{squick}} and revulsion at ''VisualNovel/KatawaShoujo'' for featuring a ThemedHarem of {{Disabled Love Interest}}s. No, it's not a DeadBabyComedy, even if the source material (a set of joke character designs which the game strongly departed from) is, and the thought that it ''has'' to be is in itself pretty offensive, considering that viewing disabled people as nonsexual beings and anyone who would be interested in them as predatory is a major problem in society as it is.
* ''VisualNovel/DramaticalMurder'':
** Unless you have a death wish, '''do not''' bring up the topic of Mink's route and whether or not Aoba was suffering from StockholmSyndrome. No matter which side of the argument you're on, [[InternetBackdraft it won't be pretty]]. This has lessened since the release of Re:Connect, which expanded upon Mink's character and motivations, but his route is still very controversial.
** The [[MemeticMutation 'you fuck the dog!']] joke. Newer fans (and non-fans) will probably laugh, but longtime fans will send [[DiscreditedMeme death glares]] your way. Some fans find it especially frustrating because a number of people outside of the fandom have taken the joke seriously and think that the visual novel actually contains bestiality [[note]]the real explanation for the joke is spoiler-heavy and can be found on the VN's YMMV page[[/note]].
** Saying something along the lines of "I've been playing this thing for several hours now, where's all the yaoi sex?" will get you worse glares. ''VisualNovel/DramaticalMurder'' ''is'' a BL game, but there aren't any explicit scenes until the latter half of the story (near the ending in most routes), so needless to say, they aren't a major part of the game. A lot of people start playing purely to watch the H-scenes, completely ignoring the actual plotline and dumbing down the characters, to the ire of fans.
* ''VisualNovel/ZeroEscape'':
** ''VisualNovel/NineHoursNinePersonsNineDoors'' fans get pretty annoyed when people call the game the "video game version of ''Franchise/{{Saw}}''", which is a rather bad berserk button to have when this is pretty much what every professional reviewer who reviewed the game said. Hardcore fans however will point out that "''999'' is much more original than ''Saw''" and that "if you actually pay attention to the game's entire plot, it's actually nothing like ''Saw''". In actual fact, the game was heavily inspired, not by ''Saw'', but by Eastern horror movies, in which the theme is less about sadistic people inducing violence, and more about sadistically inducing fear. The theme of the game, going through a game involving puzzle-filled rooms, has been compared to ''Saw'', but as fans are quick to point out, the actual puzzles and entire set up for why they exist in the first place is nothing like it. The same goes for its sequel ''VisualNovel/VirtuesLastReward''.
** Please don't say in front of 999/VLR that you find the plot incredibly unrealistic and therefore bad. You'll get a huge speech about how everything is actually given an actual real life, scientific/theoretical, well explained explanation and that if you think the plot's unrealistic it means you mustn't have paid any attention to these parts. Not to mention that saying you find the plot "poorly put together", or that the writers "didn't care", is a BAD no-no, since fans will be quick to point out that everything slots together so well and folds so neatly into place that writing such a complex plot would take amazing levels of care and attention to detail.
* Dumbing down ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' by describing it as the "killer lolis" series is a thorn in the side of many fans.
* For the ''Sakura'' series of games created by Winged Cloud, speaking positively about the competence of any of the male protagonists (especially Seiji from ''Sakura Beach'') is not recommended. However, it may be acceptable when it comes to ones from the more recent games (such as Akira from ''Sakura Agent'').
* Saying that ''VisualNovel/DiesIrae'' glorifies Nazism simply based on the fact that is has UsefulNotes/ReinhardHeydrich as its over-the-top [[LargeHam hammy]] [[BigBad main villain]] tend to often be enough to seriously irritate the fanbase. That despite the fact that the story portrays him and those who are morally aligned with him as nothing short of monsters and failures of human beings.
* For ''VisualNovel/YosugaNoSora'', do not say that Sora was pregnant with Haruka's child in the fandisc ''Haruka Na Sora'', not just because of the BrotherSisterIncest, but because it was a rumor that was eventually disproven (for a time, it was treated as fact on the [[WikiRule wiki]], but no longer is).
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'''s BigBad Xykon has to deal not just with random members of the community, but even [[NoFourthWall characters in the comic]] spelling his name wrong (with a Z). He can even tell when you misspell it in a ''[[PsmithPsyndrome speech balloon]]''. And he will [[MurderIsTheBestSolution kill you for it]].
* On the fora of ''Webcomic/LookingForGroup'', anyone ignorant enough to post anything even hinting that they think the comic is a ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' story happening in Azeroth will get beaten up, crucified, eaten and shot, in that order. Despite the fact that the comic started as a Warcraft parody (though only for a very brief period) and incredibly obviously took significant inspiration from the games.
* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'': The third girl from the photo is ''not'' Jones, and she is ''not'' related to Gamma in any way. Fans continued to speculate to the contrary, even though [[WordOfGod Tom]] {{Jossed}} those theories, within hours of their first proposal, then put [[TheRant a note to that effect below the comic]]. At one point, a forum regular who should have known better suggested that this speculation should be a ban-worthy offense. This specific line of WildMassGuessing seems to have stopped now that it's been unambiguously confirmed in-comic that the photo girl and Jones are different people.
* ''Webcomic/{{Dreamkeepers}}'' fans are usually pretty torn when it comes to pronouncing Namah's name. Some people say NAA-MUH, while others believe it to be NAY-MUH and refuse to back down in their opinions.
* ''Webcomic/LasLindas'' author Soul Kat has a big BerserkButton related to this trope due to so many people screwing up Davin Preacher's name, instead calling him Devin.
* Loldwell.com features a number of comic strips themed around different iterations of the concept: [[http://loldwell.com/?p=453 1]], [[http://loldwell.com/?p=605 2]], [[http://loldwell.com/?p=1006 3]], [[http://loldwell.com/?p=2303 4]]
* Referring to a Korean or Chinese webtoon as a "manga". You'll get away with calling them a "manhwa" or "manhua", but calling them "manga" annoys both manga fans and webtoon fans.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* Franchise/{{The Slender Man|Mythos}}:
** Being mistaken about the origin of the mythos. No, it was not originally a {{Creepypasta}}, although many Creepypastas involving him have been written since his creation. No, ''WebVideo/MarbleHornets'' did not create him, though they are the primary reason as to his popularity,[[note]]their antagonist's name is officially ''[[IAmNotShazam The Operator]]'', and referring to him as The Slender Man is another, milder example of this trope[[/note]] and neither did ''VideoGame/{{Slender}}''. The Slender Man was created in Website/SomethingAwful forum thread.
** Referring to the main creature as just [[IAmNotShazam Slender]]. This occurs most often with fans who were introduced to the mythos through the game of that name.
** Calling the creature Slenderman likewise draws ire from some fans. Referring to him as Slender Man as if it's his name is similarly a point of agitation. THE Slender Man is just a description of his appearance -- a tall, gaunt being that looks vaguely like a man.
** Calling Hoody or Masky "proxies" will get you treated to a nice lengthy explanation of how the term wasn't used in ''Marble Hornets'' and neither should be considered as such. Your best bet is to only use the term "proxy" when talking about ''WebVideo/DarkHarvest'' (the series from which the term originated) or ''WebVideo/TribeTwelve''.
* Wiki/SCPFoundation:
** For really entertaining discussions, just try to say how SCP-173 is a rip-off of the [[Series/DoctorWho Weeping Angels]]. [[OlderThanTheyThink SCP-173 actually did the "killer statue that cannot move while being observed and is fast enough to kill people while they blink" thing first]].
** Don't call it "SPC". That stands for [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/spc-3284-j "Shark-Punching Center"]].
** Most who read the SCP wiki in-depth are forgiving if someone assumes the SCP Foundation is primarily horror, given how many iconic [=SCPs=] are horror based [[note]]mostly due to AdaptationDisplacement from [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-087 the SCP-087 game]], ''[[Videogame/SCPContainmentBreach Containment Breach]]'', and ''SCP: Secret Laboratory''[[/note]], and will offer a simple correction. However, claiming that the site was always meant to be horror and complaining about certain [=SCPs=] not being scary will get a much more negative response.
* Asking "what if Operation Sealion had been successful" or even mentioning the "Unmentionable Sea Mammal" in a non-ironic way on Website/AlternateHistoryDotCom is sure to end in much banging of heads against walls in frustration at the prospect of having to explain to yet another noob just why it could not, under any circumstances, have worked.
* ''WebAnimation/HappyTreeFriends'':
** DO NOT mistake any well-known fan-made character as a canon character. At best, you'll drown in disappointment but at least other fans are willing to simply correct you on that. At worst, you'll be shouted at by the more hostile fans, especially if they don't like the idea of fan characters in general (which also isn't helped by the idea of [[OfficialFanSubmittedContent Truffles's Video Bomb Competition]]).
** During post-TV series era, saying that Flippy has fully gotten over his flip-outs was enough to garner wrath of fans. It didn't help that the next time a flipped-out Flippy appears, it's only in Flaky's imagination ("Without a Hitch"). The fanbase has calmed down since the release of the Love Bite short "On My Mind", which depicts Flippy flipping out.
** Character concept-wise, mentioning that the cast is a complete rip-off of ''Franchise/CareBears'' characters will cause massive InternetBackdraft. Doesn't help that there's one exact case where someone made said comparison and, judging by the disabled comment section, that person succeeded in evoking the HTF fans' wrath.
** For the more serious fans that have done their research, hearing [=FatKat=] being referred to as a permanent part of the cast is their BerserkButton. No, [=FatKat=] is not a canon HTF character. No, he's not a fan character either. He's a guest character (for a single HTF Break, mind you) who is simply a HTF version of an animation studio's mascot. Unfortunately, fans still make this error from time to time.
* When commenting on ''WebVideo/CarmillaTheSeries'', never, ever, ''ever'' use [=LaFontaine=]'s deadname, "Susan," call them a girl, or refer to them with female pronouns. Their name is [=LaFontaine=], they are non-binary, and they use they/them pronouns.
[[/folder]]

----

* Assuming that fans only like a work due to RuleThirtyFour. [[note]]Note that the mere act of drawing R34 isn't enough. See the folder of things that don't qualify below.[[/note]]

* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** There was an IRC chat back in the mid 90s where the admin would kickban any user who referred a particular character by any name other than "Dezaras". "Deathsaurus" was forbidden, "Deaths-R-Us" was right out, and "Death Czarus?" Well, you know the drill.

* Domesticated ferrets are not rodents, are not omnivorous, and are not wild animals. Don't confuse them with Black-footed Ferrets. One former NYC mayor infamously bugged a lot of ferret owners when he mocked them for protesting against ferret laws, calling them rodents and other negative things, which causes him to be Flame Bait even twenty years later.

* ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'' is ''not'' set in the same canon of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'' or ''Literature/LandOfOz''. It's not meant to be a canonical story in either universe, but many viewers take it as so. ''Wicked'' is mishmash of canons (MGM's green-skinned Wicked Witch and Oz being in a separate universe from Kansas, several book-only characters and references, etc) set in its own continuities. Fans of all three incarnations get bitter when people mistake them for one and the same.

* Preferring one spelling of a character's name over another [[note]]This one mostly applies to translated Japanese names or names that have been spoken aloud, but never written (or [[SpellMyNameWithAnS written with inconsistent spelling, so nobody knows which is the official one]]). If there is an official spelling, but some fans often make mistakes with it, that does qualify.[[/note]].

* Mentioning of liking a work that's been subject to ItsPopularNowItSucks.

* Mocking or disrespecting UnacceptableTargets such as [[Series/MisterRogersNeighborhood Mister Rogers]] or [[Series/LazyTown Stefán Karl Stefánsson]] (the fandom will still hate you, though).

* If you're in Britain, don't call University "College". College is an alternative to Sixth Form that many British teenagers do, or one of the institutions that make up [[{{Oxbridge}} Oxford and Cambridge Universities]]. Or a further education college, a category which includes but is not limited to sixth-form colleges. The British university system was reformed in the 1990s and institutions perceived as being at a lower status/academic level, the old polytechnics and some of the larger tech colleges, were allowed to step up and recharter as new universities. These institutions remain sensitive about their origins and the perceived snobbery of those who still persist in thinking of them as somehow "inferior" and not real universities. Anyone who, for instance, refers to Manchester Metropolitan University as "Oh, you mean the ''Poly''?" or Owain Glyndwr University of Wrexham as "Ah, the tech college on Mold Road?" is risking pressing a berserk button, and accusations that they're being snooty and superior. Any reference to "[[UsefulNotes/BritishUnis Clown Colleges]]" can be fighting talk in some quarters. A similar tradition also applies to universities in Hong Kong, with universities being institutes for Bachelor Degrees, and colleges (or technically, community colleges) being institutes for Associate Degrees and High Diploma.

* Try going to a ''Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast'' message board, and claim that Belle was a victim of Stockholm Syndrome. Good luck making it out alive.

* Try going to a ''Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast'' message board, and claim that Belle was victim of Stockholm Syndrome. Good luck making it out alive.

* Mocking or disrespecting UnacceptableTargets (the fandom will still hate you, though).

* ''Don't'' mention the [[Film/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians Percy Jackson Movie]] around fans of the [[Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians books]]. And Gods help you if you say you thought it was better than the books. Creator/RickRiordan himself disowned the movie it was that bad. Naturally, this is perfect bait for {{Trolls}} who want to start a FlameWar.

* ''Don't'' mention the [[Film/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians Percy Jackson Movie]] around fans of the [[Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians books]]. And Gods help you if you say you thought it was better than the books. Creator/RickRiordan himself disowned the movie it was that bad.

* Do not assume that Spider-Ham from ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' was inspired by the Spider-Pig gag from ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie''. He was [[OlderTanTheyThink actually created]] [[ComicBook/SpiderHam as a one-off character in 1983]].