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Sometimes I think we ask too much of trope titles. In the end, a title is just a label — but there's this recent tendency to try to cram a whole description into it, as though it were a laconic of the laconic.
Since (as you note) the trope is not decaying or being misused (at least not on its own page — I haven't checked elsewhere), is really that much of a problem if the title is a bit incomplete?
I think But Your Wings Are Beautiful is an aesthetically superior title to Freakiness Shame. I consider this an important concern. I would not consider overriding this concern unless the other title was clearer, conciser, wittier, or more descriptive.
But Your Wings Are Beautiful is more descriptive. It is also clearer. It is also wittier. It is less concise, but does not fall into the length range where this is a concern.
It also comes across as too precise. Use that, and there will be a bunch of queries of 'Does X non-wing quality fit? I read the description but I'm still not sure.' The FS title covers anything that the description allows.
Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett
Basic Trope: An abnormal physical trait a character is ashamed of is admired by another character.
Straight: Bob has a pair of wings which causes him to be an outcast. His Love Interest Alice however, thinks that they are beautiful.
Does Freakiness Shame really describe this? The trope is about shame, yes, but as followed by acceptance. Neither Freakiness or Shame are words that imply another character accepts/admires the ashamed character's abnormality.
This trope was originally titled But Your Wings Are Beautiful. It was retitled after No New Stock Phrases was implemented. I'm not sure why it had to be retitled when we got to keep Screw the Rules, I Have Money!. The original title does describe the trope better, covering both aspects: one character's shame and another's acceptance.
But I don't mean to mess with the sanctity of No New Stock Phrases. I just don't find the current title functional. If the original can't be reinstated, I think we should have a new title that captures both sides of this trope. Even Freakiness Acceptance, while just a quick fix example, would be more appropriate, as it describes acceptance for something abnormal.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
P.S. I wonder if the trope was retitled Freakiness Shame to make it more of a character trait, independent of acceptance? However, the trope description is still what I posted above. And all the listed examples are instances of acceptance.
Edited by moviepyr0