History Main / SacredCow

->''(sigh) What the fuck am I doing with my life? I'm harshly criticizing'' [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]] ''on the internet. I'm gonna get CRUCIFIED!''
-->--'''Creator/{{Egoraptor}}''', '''''WebVideo/{{Sequelitis}}'''''

->''*sigh* What the fuck am I doing with my life? I'm harshly criticizing OcarinaOfTime on the internet. I'm gonna get CRUCIFIED!''
-->--'''{{Egoraptor}}''', '''''{{WebVideo/Sequelitis}}'''''

A Sacred Cow at the most basic level is a work or something within a work that ''everyone'', including you, is supposed to like and is granted immunity to any form of criticism in any way, so to speak. Covering anything from a whole series or fictional race right down to props used by said fictional race within that series' universe, the Sacred Cow is considered so either out of respect, nostalgia or plain rabid fanlove. This is usually the preserve of a [[FanDumb rampaging fanbase]] but this goes beyond the fandom and applies to almost everyone including casual fans right down to [[PraisingShowsYouDontWatch non-fans]] with passing knowledge of the work.

->''*sigh* What the fuck am I doing with my life? I'm harshly criticizing OcarinaOfTime on hte internet. I'm gonna get CRUCIFIED!''

When it comes to fandoms, a sacred cow is a work or something within a work that "everyone" is supposed to like and is "granted immunity to any form of criticism in any way", so to speak. Covering anything from a whole series or fictional race right down to props used by said fictional race within that series' universe, the Sacred Cow is considered so either out of respect, nostalgia or plain rabid fanlove. This is usually the preserve of a [[FanDumb rampaging fanbase]] but it also can apply to almost everyone including casual fans and [[PraisingShowsYouDontWatch even non-fans]].

Unfortunately, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time as it'll be met with the same revulsion as {{Squick}}-inducing {{shipping}} or {{troll}}ing. Being deemed as high octane FlameBait and causing an extreme form of InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be overly harsh given the perpetrator just hit the FandomBerserkButton of everyone who heard you even if they're not fans. Of course, this can overlap greatly with your average internet troll so sometimes the accuser is painted as such and dealt with accordingly. An unfortunate amount of FanDumb, FandomHeresy, HypocriticalFandom, NostalgiaFilter, and TheLawOfFanJackassery tend to come from this. Often, the FanDumb for a Sacred Cow is given a free pass, getting away with things that other fandoms would not tolerate and quickly chase out of the community.

A SubTrope of UnacceptableTargets. Compare with TrueArt, where most of this arguably comes from, and ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow, which "everyone", or at least a good amount of people, will be doing (and in liberal amounts at that). Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment. Contrast with PublicMediumIgnorance, in which unlike this trope, you're supposed to dislike the work; even if you didn't watch it.

[[quoteright:260:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sacredcow_3001.jpg]]

The TropeNamer is based on the popular understanding of the elevated place of cows in Hinduism, being a symbol of wealth, strength, abundance, selfless giving and life; and no harm should come to them. In some cultures, especially in India, the slaughter of cattle may be prohibited and their meat may be taboo to consume.

Unfortunately, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time as it'll be met with the same revulsion as {{Squick}}-inducing {{shipping}} or {{troll}}ing. Being deemed as high octane FlameBait and causing an extreme form of InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be overly harsh given the perpetrator just hit the FandomBerserkButton of everyone who heard you even if they're not fans. Of course, this can overlap greatly with your average internet troll so sometimes the accuser is painted as such and dealt with accordingly. An unfortunate amount of FanDumb, FandomHeresy, HypocriticalFandom, NostalgiaFilter, and TheLawOfFanJackassery tend to come from this. Often, the FanDumb for a SacredCow is given a free pass, getting away with things that other fandoms would not tolerate and quickly chase out of the community.

A SubTrope of UnacceptableTargets. Compare with TrueArt; where most of this arguably comes from, and ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow; in which "everyone", or at least a good amount of people will be doing (and with liberal amounts at that). Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment. Contrast with PublicMediumIgnorance, in which unlike this trope, you're supposed to dislike the work; even if you didn't watch it.

Unfortunately, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time as it'll be met with the same revulsion as {{Squick}}-inducing {{shipping}} or {{troll}}ing. Being deemed as high octane FlameBait and causing an extreme form of InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be overly harsh with the perpetrator hitting the FandomBerserkButton soon after. Of course, this can overlap greatly with your average internet troll so sometimes the accuser is painted as such and dealt with accordingly. An unfortunate amount of FanDumb, FandomHeresy, HypocriticalFandom, NostalgiaFilter, and TheLawOfFanJackassery tend to come from this. Often, the FanDumb for a SacredCow is given a free pass, getting away with things that other fandoms would not tolerate and quickly chase out of the community.

Unfortunately, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time as it'll be met with the same revulsion as {{Squick}}-inducing {{shipping}} or {{troll}}ing. Being deemed as high octane FlameBait and causing an extreme form of InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be overly harsh with the perpetrator GannonBanned soon after. Of course, this can overlap greatly with your average internet troll so sometimes the accuser is painted as such and dealt with accordingly. An unfortunate amount of FanDumb, FandomHeresy, HypocriticalFandom, NostalgiaFilter, and TheLawOfFanJackassery tend to come from this. Often, the FanDumb for a SacredCow is given a free pass, getting away with things that other fandoms would not tolerate and quickly chase out of the community.

-->--'''Ed Harris''', '''''TheAgonyBooth'''''

A SubTrope of UnacceptableTargets. Compare with TrueArt; where most of this arguably comes from, and ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow; in which "everyone", or at least a good amount of people will be doing. (Expect ''liberal'' amounts of ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow) Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment. Contrast with PublicMediumIgnorance, in which unlike this trope, you're supposed to dislike the work; even if you didn't watch it.

Unfortunately, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time as it'll be met with the same revulsion as {{Squick}}-inducing {{shipping}} or {{troll}}ing. Being deemed as high octane FlameBait and causing an extreme form of InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be overly harsh with the perpetrator GannonBanned soon after. Of course, this can overlap greatly with your average internet troll so sometimes the accuser is painted as such and dealt with accordingly. An unfortunate amount of FanDumb, FandomHeresy, HypocriticalFandom, NostalgiaFilter, and TheLawOfFanJackassery tend to come from this.

A SubTrope of UnacceptableTargets. Compare with TrueArt; where most of this arguably comes from, and ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow; in which "everyone", or at least a good amount of people will be doing. Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment. Contrast with PublicMediumIgnorance, in which unlike this trope, you're supposed to dislike the work; even if you didn't watch it.

There is TrueArt, there is FandomHeresy, there is ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow, and then there is this.

When it comes to fandoms, a sacred cow is a work or something within a work that "everyone" is supposed to like and is "granted immunity to any form of criticism in any way", so to speak. Covering anything from a whole series or fictional race right down to props used by said fictional race within that series' universe, the Sacred Cow is considered so either out of respect, nostalgia or plain rabid fanlove. This is usually the preserve of a [[FanDumb rampaging fanbase]] but it also can apply to almost everyone including casual fans and even non-fans.

[[quoteright:260:[[VisualPun http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sacredcow_3001.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:260:[[VisualPun Handle this cow with care.]]]]

[[caption-width-right:260:[[VisualPun Handle this cow with care.]]]]

A SubTrope of UnacceptableTargets. Compare with TrueArt; where most of this arguably comes from, and ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow; in which "everyone", or at least a good amount of people will be doing. Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment. Contrast with PublicMediumIgnorance, in which unlike this trope, you're supposed to dislike the work, even if you didn't watch it.

[[quoteright:260:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sacredcow_3001.jpg]]

When it comes to fandoms, a sacred cow is a work or something within a work that is "granted immunity to any form of criticism in any way", so to speak. Covering anything from a whole series or fictional race right down to props used by said fictional race within that series' universe, the Sacred Cow is considered so either out of respect, nostalgia or plain rabid fanlove. This is usually the preserve of a [[FanDumb rampaging fanbase]] but it also can apply to almost everyone including casual fans and even non-fans.

Unfortunately, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time as it'll be met with the same revulsion as {{Squick}}-inducing {{shipping}} or {{troll}}ing. Being deemed as high octane FlameBait and causing an extreme form of InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be overly harsh with the perpetrator GannonBanned soon after. Of course, this can overlap greatly with your average internet troll so sometimes the accuser is painted as such and dealt with accordingly.

A SubTrope of UnacceptableTargets. Compare with TrueArt; where most of this arguably comes from, and ComplainingAboutPeopleNotLikingTheShow; in which "everyone", or at least a good amount of people will be doing. Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment. Contrast with PublicMediumIgnorance, in which unlike this trope, you're supposed to dislike the work, even if you didn't watch it. An unfortunate amount of FanDumb, FandomHeresy, HypocriticalFandom, NostalgiaFilter, and TheLawOfFanJackassery tend to come from this.

When it comes to fandoms, a sacred cow is a work or something within a work that is granted immunity to any form of criticism in any way", so to speak. Covering anything from a whole series or fictional race right down to props used by said fictional race within that series' universe, the Sacred Cow is considered so either out of respect, nostalgia or plain rabid fanlove. This is usually the preserve of a [[FanDumb rampaging fanbase]] but it also can apply to almost everyone including casual fans and even non-fans.

A form of UnacceptableTargets and the inversion of PublicMediumIgnorance, a Sacred Cow concerns the things which meet with near universal approval and are outside the bounds of criticism even if flaws are present. This is usually the preserve of a [[FanDumb rampaging fanbase]] but it also can apply to almost everyone including casual fans and even non-fans. Covering anything from a whole series or fictional race right down to props used by said fictional race within that series' universe, the Sacred Cow is considered so either out of respect, nostalgia or plain rabid fanlove.

Unfortunately, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time as it'll be met with the same revulsion as {{Squick}}-inducing {{shipping}} or {{troll}}ing. Being high octane InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be overly harsh with the perpetrator GannonBanned soon after. Of course, this can overlap greatly with your average internet troll so sometimes the accuser is painted as such and dealt with accordingly.

A SubTrope of UnacceptableTargets. Compare with TrueArt. Contrast with PublicMediumIgnorance. Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment. An unfortunate amount of FanDumb, FandomHeresy, HypocriticalFandom, NostalgiaFilter, and TheLawOfFanJackassery tend to come from this.

Some things attract criticism for [[AcceptableTargets justifiable reasons]] whereas others get it for [[UnpleasableFanbase varying]] [[ComplainingAboutShowsYouDontWatch other]] [[PeripheryHatedom reasons]]. This trope however concerns the things which meet with near universal approval and are outside the bounds of criticism even if flaws are present. Usually the preserve of the [[FanDumb rampaging fanbase]] (but in this case can apply to almost everyone including casual fans), this trope embodies how our bovine friends are seen as sacred in various religions, most particularly Hinduism, and that no harm should come to them.

Covering anything from a whole series or fictional race right down to props used by said fictional race within that series' universe, the Sacred Cow is considered so either out of respect, nostalgia or plain rabid fanlove. However, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time (within the fan circles at the very least) as it'll be met with the same revulsion as [[{{Squick}} squicky]] ships or trolling. Being high octane InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be [[TooDumbToLive overly harsh]] with the perpetrator GannonBanned soon after if at a place where accounts exist. Of course, this can overlap greatly with your average internet troll so sometimes the accuser is painted as such and dealt with accordingly.

Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment.

A SubTrope of UnacceptableTargets. Compare with TrueArt. Contrast with PublicMediumIgnorance.

Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment. Compare to UnacceptableTargets.

Some things attract criticism for [[AcceptableTargets justifiable reasons]] whereas others get it for [[UnpleaseableFanbase varying]] [[CriticizingShowsYouDontWatch other]] [[PeripheryHatedom reasons]]. This trope however concerns the things which meet with near universal approval and are outside the bounds of criticism even if flaws are present. Usually the preserve of the [[FanDumb rampaging fanbase]] (but in this case can apply to almost everyone including casual fans), this trope embodies how our bovine friends are seen as sacred in various religions, most particularly Hinduism, and that no harm should come to them.

Some things attract criticism whereas others get it for varying other reasons. This trope however concerns the things which meet with near universal approval and are outside the bounds of criticism for some even if flaws are present. Usually the preserve of the rampaging fanbase but in this case can apply to almost everyone including casual fans, this trope embodies how our bovine friends are seen as sacred in various religions, most particularly Hinduism. Being high octane InternetBackdraft almost anywhere, if one is shown in a bad light no matter how fair, expect retribution from anyone nearby to be [[TooDumbToLive overly harsh]] with the perpetrator GannonBanned soon after.

Covering anything from a whole series down to props within that universe, the Sacred Cow is considered so either out of respect, nostalgia or plain fanlove. However, this also means a fair critique cannot be made against it at any point in time as it'll be met with the same revulsion as [[{{Squick}} squicky]] ships or trolling.

Similar to but not the same as FandomHeresy as sometimes non-fans will agree with their sentiment.