A
Stock Phrase that uses an analogy to make a point. Someone has tried to make a point about something; in response, someone points out something obvious that contradicts it in this fashion:
"Nothing can possibly go wrong. We're in love!"
Often makes correct use of something commonly used in an
Analogy Backfire and/or
lampshades Tempting Fate. Thus, it is usually the territory of the
Genre Savvy and
Deadpan Snarkers.
Super Trope to
Hitler Ate Sugar.
Hitler Ate Sugar is supposed to argue that doing something is evil because someone else who was evil did it, too. So Was X is supposed to argue that someone or something could be incorrect or just as dangerous as something else (the X).
See also
Appeal to Obscurity.
Examples
Comic Books
Film
- In Johnny Mnemonic, Johnny insists that trying to make a deal with the evil corporation is a good idea, explaining that they'd be willing to make a deal because they're corporate.
Jane: So is the Yakuza.
- In Matilda, Miss Honey tries to show Miss Trunchbull how smart Matilda is:
Miss Honey: She can multiply large numbers instantly in her head.
Miss Trunchbull: So can a calculator.
- In Stripes, when thinking of how to rescue their platoon from Czech soldiers:
Russell Ziskey: Do the words "Act of war" mean anything to you?
John Winger: I have a plan.
Russell: Great. Custer had a plan, too.
- Dogma:
Bethany Sloan: For the record, I work in an abortion clinic.
The Metatron: Noah was a drunk, and look what he accomplished—and no one's asking you to build an ark!
Literature
- From P.G. Wodehouse's "Honeysuckle Cottage":
"Don't do it." said Mr McKinnon, a stout bachelor. "You're too young to marry."
"So was Methuselah," said James, a stouter.
Live Action TV
- From an episode of the last season of Monk, where the prosecutor is worried the Suspect of the Week will walk:
Stottlemeyer: Relax, the guy is clearly guilty.
Prosecutor: So was OJ.
- From Lost:
Hurley: Do not open that! There's dynamite and it's mega-unstable.
Richard: I know that.
Hurley: Well, so did Dr. Arzt. And I was wiping him out of my shirt two days later.
Web Original
Real Life
