Apparent misuse: Flat What

Ok, so the article lists 4 different varieties of saying what, but the trope seems to be about the one AFTER the list. However, some of the examples (like the Jafar one) seem to be referring to the varieties WITHIN the list. I am guessing the description of the trope may have been throwing people off.

I'd have to agree. Options?

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We have Big "WHAT?!" for some of the other types, and those should be moved there as appropriate.

Perhaps it could be made more clear that Flat "What" is only that last one.

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Behold the power of bolding. Printed below the list of "standard" what's, and reprinted here for convenience:

None of the above are examples of this trope. That's below.

That list makes this trope look like it's about diffrent types of what. Someone should describe what a flat what is, emphasize that it needs to have a period, and tell us about simalar tropes.

Man it kinda tweaks my chinhairs when it's used to tha same effect of Facepalm or Wallbanger but when you use it with a question mark? Aww man,Hell is too good for them.

edited 30th Jan '11 2:50:18 PM by DrStarky

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The problem I have is that this trope doesn't always carry its meaning on this site. Too many people see "What." and feel the need to explain the obvious Wallbanger present, adding to Natter. IMHO, "Flat Wow" gets the message across a lot better. People are more likely to flatly say "Wow." after seeing or reading something stupid/ignorant in the extreme.

edited 29th Jan '11 11:16:08 PM by DesertDragon

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Reviving this discussion for something else I've noticed. I keep seeing people potholing Flat "What" when they mention a plot twist, casting choice, or other aspect of a work they don't agree with. It's seems like it's becoming a placeholder for Wall Banger now that that's being cut from all main pages.

That's bad misuse and needs to be killed with fire.

Rhymes with "Protracted."

Several of the examples aren't even "flat". For example, this Anime one:

• Aaaand Episode 15:

—>Vegeta: Look at you, Dodoria, you're always so damn proud. And now here you are, crying like a woman!

—>Dodoria: I AM A WOMAN!

—>Vegeta: What.

—>Dodoria: I SAID I AM A WOMAN!

—>Vegeta:WHAT!?

If you need an exclamation mark, it's hardly flat, is it?

Then there's the 10th Doctor example(s); his "what"s were usually quite animated, as the linked image macro ironically demonstrates.

edited 26th Mar '11 2:05:53 PM by AndrewGPaul

In the exchange you quoted, there's a Flat "What" right before the Big "WHAT?!". So that's correct.

Rhymes with "Protracted."

Yep, that one appears to be correct. Flat "What" followed by Big "WHAT?!" latter. The trope seems to be being used correctly.

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Ah, so the example is too long. Perhaps those last two lines should be excised, then.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding because I don't recall ever seeing an example of this in film/TV. Reading a transcript of a scene isn't helping me.

edited 27th Mar '11 4:13:16 AM by AndrewGPaul

I think it was well-written, it shows that at first, the character was too surprised to even add the "?" part, and only later later could he start to properly vocalize his surprise.

This, especially since it's actually a common format for a Flat "What" to be followed by a Big "WHAT?!" when it actually manages to penetrate the character's brain.

Reality is that, which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. -Philip K. Dick

Bump.

Clock set. If there's no life in this thread when the clock expires in three days, the thread will be locked as "No consensus on action and no further action is to be taken on the basis of this thread."

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