History Main / MundaneUtility

Also compare UtilityMagic, for when the primary purpose of something which is awesome (magic, in this case) is something mundane, and UtilityWeapon, for when something is designed to function as both a weapon and a tool. Compare PricelessPaperweight, which is using a priceless or important item for a mundane task. See also {{Prop}}.

Failure to see possible uses other than this one is a form of MisappliedPhlebotinum. Overpowered characters with a job description like this become SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids. Characters who are outright omnipotent who fall to this trope are {{All Powerful Bystander}}s. MartialArtsForMundanePurposes is a subset of this trope, for when martial arts abilities are used for reasons other than fighting. Also an opposite of sorts to CutLexLuthorACheck, InverseLawOfUtilityAndLethality, ReedRichardsIsUseless and UselessSuperpowers. If this is applied to killing someone (such as, say, a gigantic nuke against a feeble human), it may become ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill.

Also compare UtilityMagic, for when the primary purpose of something which is awesome (magic, in this case) is something mundane, and UtilityWeapon, for when something is designed to function as both a weapon and a tool. Compare PricelessPaperweight, which is using a priceless or important item for a mundane task.

Diametric opposite to JustThinkOfThePotential. For an adult variation, see PowerPerversionPotential. For a sister trope which takes this UpToEleven, see BoxingLessonsForSuperman. When done with wishes and boons, this might be a MundaneWish. If the mundane utility would make for a career in its own right, then JustForFun/TheseLookLikeJobsForTheSuperman. And if the mundane utility is used for sports, then it's MuggleSportsSuperAthletes (usually defied).

->'''ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}:''' Here, Jean, allow me to cut you a piece of cake in [[EyeBeams my own way]].\\
'''ComicBook/{{Jean|Grey}}:''' Why, thank you, Cyclops, but that's a bit like [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill using an elephant gun to kill a house fly]].

When you really get down to it, this is actually quite sensible — it's not like superheroes and superheroines are saving the world/fighting for their lives 24/7, [[PowerIncontinence and in most cases, it's not like they can simply "shut off" their powers]]. If it's more convenient, then why ''not'' make your life a little simpler? Call it "[[WaxOnWaxOff practice]]" if you have to justify it (or just ask them "[[MundaneMadeAwesome What do you mean, it's not awesome?]]").

->'''ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}:''' Here, Jean, allow me to cut you a piece of cake in my own way.\\
'''ComicBook/{{Jean|Grey}}:''' Why, thank you, Cyclops, but that's a bit like using an elephant gun to kill a house fly.

Failure to see possible uses other than this one is a form of MisappliedPhlebotinum. Overpowered characters with a job description like this become SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids. Characters who are outright [[AGodAmI omnipotent]] who fall to this trope are {{All Powerful Bystander}}s. MartialArtsForMundanePurposes is a subset of this trope, for when martial arts abilities are used for reasons other than fighting. Also an opposite of sorts to CutLexLuthorACheck, InverseLawOfUtilityAndLethality, ReedRichardsIsUseless and UselessSuperpowers. If this is applied to killing someone (such as, say, a gigantic nuke against a feeble human), it may become ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill.

* MundaneUtility/{{Other}}

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[[folder:Radio]]
* ''Radio/ThatMitchellAndWebbSound'' has a skit in which two people consider inviting Sally [[Franchise/StarWars Vader]] and her husband to their party. Apparently he plays football and is an incredible goalkeeper, to the point that it seems like he only has to stretch out his hand and the ball goes veering away from the goal. He also has "the most incredible [[LaserBlade electric carving knife]] I've ever seen".
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Podcasts]]
* In the ''Podcast/CoolKidsTable'' ''Franchise/HarryPotter''-themed game ''Hogwarts: The New Class'', wizards use magic to accomplish all sorts of daily tasks, like washing dishes, doing laundry, and making luggage lighter. The kids all think these are great, though, since they grew up as muggles and have always had to do these themselves without magic.
** Flint from ''Podcast/TheFallenGods'' uses a book that contains all knowledge of everything that has ever happened up until now to try and see whose face he saw in the window of the Tower the night before. Tuatha uses it to look up the names of everyone she made out with the night before.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Stand-Up Comedy]]
* Creator/RossNoble once joked about using laser eye-beams to heat soup.
[[/folder]]

[[caption-width-right:350:[-SuperStrength and [[RubberMan Super Stretching]]: Great for fighting crime. Even better for housecleaning.-] ]]

->'''{{ComicBook/Cyclops}}:''' Here, Jean, allow me to cut you a piece of cake in my own way.\\
'''{{ComicBook/Jean|Grey}}:''' Why, thank you, Cyclops, but that's a bit like using an elephant gun to kill a house fly.
-->-- ''Comicbook/XMen'' #4

* MundaneUtility/{{Podcasts}}
* MundaneUtility/{{Radio}}
* MundaneUtility/StandUpComedy

->'''Cyclops:''' Here, Jean, allow me to cut you a piece of cake in my own way. ''[uses EyeBeams to cut a slice of cake]''\\
'''Jean:''' Why, thank you, Cyclops, but that's a bit like using an elephant gun to kill a house fly.

Failure to see possible uses other than this one is a form of MisappliedPhlebotinum. Overpowered characters with a job description like this become SuperPoweredRobotMeterMaids. Characters who are outright [[AGodAmI omnipotent]] who fall to this trope are {{All Powerful Bystander}}s.
MartialArtsAndCrafts is a subset of this trope, for when martial arts abilities are used for reasons other than fighting. Also an opposite of sorts to CutLexLuthorACheck, InverseLawOfUtilityAndLethality, ReedRichardsIsUseless and UselessSuperpowers. If this is applied to killing someone (such as, say, a gigantic nuke against a feeble human), it may become ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill.

Also compare UtilityMagic, for when the primary purpose of something which is awesome (magic, in this case) is something mundane, and UtilityWeapon, for when something is designed to function as both a weapon and a tool. Compare PricelessPaperweight, which is using a priceless or important item for a mundane task. Supertrope to MartialArtsForMundanePurposes.

Also compare UtilityMagic, for when the primary purpose of something which is awesome (magic, in this case) is something mundane, and UtilityWeapon, for when something is designed to function as both a weapon and a tool. Compare PricelessPaperweight, which is using a priceless or important item for a mundane task.

-->-- ''Comicbook/XMen'' # 4

When you really get down to it, this is actually quite sensible--it's not like superheroes and superheroines are saving the world/fighting for their lives 24/7, [[PowerIncontinence and in most cases, it's not like they can simply "shut off" their powers]]. If it's more convenient, then why ''not'' make your life a little simpler? Call it "[[WaxOnWaxOff practice]]" if you have to justify it (or just ask them "[[MundaneMadeAwesome What do you mean, it's not awesome?]]").

* MundaneUtility/WebComics

Diametric opposite to JustThinkOfThePotential. For an adult variation, see PowerPerversionPotential. For a sister trope which takes this UpToEleven, see BoxingLessonsForSuperman. When done with wishes and boons, this might be a MundaneWish. If the mundane utility would make for a career in its own right, then JustForFun/TheseLookLikeJobsForTheSuperman. And if the mundane utility is uised for sports, then it's MuggleSportsSuperAthletes (usually defied).

Diametric opposite to JustThinkOfThePotential. For an adult variation, see PowerPerversionPotential. For a sister trope which takes this UpToEleven, see BoxingLessonsForSuperman. When done with wishes and boons, this might be a MundaneWish. If the mundane utility would make for a career in its own right, then JustForFun/TheseLookLikeJobsForTheSuperman.

->'''Cyclops:''' Here, Jean, allow me to cut you a piece of cake in my own way. ''(uses EyeBeams to cut a slice of cake)''\\

Awesomeness put to mundane use. Just let loose your [[{{Kiai}} roar of power]] and... cook. Or play video games. Or something. Hey, sometimes WithGreatPowerComesGreatPerks.

Also compare UtilityMagic, for when the primary purpose of something which is awesome (magic, in this case) is something mundane and UtilityWeapon, for when something is designed to function as both a weapon and a tool. Compare PricelessPaperweight, which is using a priceless or important item for a mundane task.

-->-- ''Comicbook/XMen'' # 4.

-->-- ''Comicbook/{{X-Men}}'' # 4.

If you think about it, this is actually rather sensible--superheroes and superheroines probably aren't going to be saving the world and/or fighting for their lives 24/7, [[PowerIncontinence and in most cases, it's not like they can simply "shut off" their powers]]. If it's more convenient, then why ''not'' make your life a little simpler? Call it "[[WaxOnWaxOff practice]]" if you have to justify it (or just ask them "[[MundaneMadeAwesome What do you mean, it's not awesome?]]").

If you think about it, this is actually rather sensible. Even super heroes and heroines aren't going to be fighting for their lives every single minute of every day, and in most cases [[PowerIncontinence the powers won't shut off]]. If it's more convenient, then why ''not'' make your life a little simpler? Call it "[[WaxOnWaxOff practice]]" if you have to justify it (or just ask them "[[MundaneMadeAwesome What do you mean, it's not awesome?]]").

* MundaneUtility/{{Other}}

Awesomeness put to mundane use. Just let loose your [[{{Kiai}} roar of power]] and... cook. Or play video games. Or something.

MartialArtsAndCrafts is a subset of this trope, for when martial arts abilities are used for reasons other than fighting. Also an opposite of sorts to CutLexLuthorACheck, InverseLawOfUtilityAndLethality, ReedRichardsIsUseless and UselessSuperpowers. If this is applied to killing someone (such as, say, a gigantic nuke against a feeble human), it may become ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill.

* MundaneUtility/NewspaperComics

* MundaneUtility/{{Webcomics}}

Also compare UtilityMagic, for when the primary purpose of something which is awesome (magic, in this case) is something mundane. Compare PricelessPaperweight, which is using a priceless or important item for a mundane task.

[[caption-width-right:350:SuperStrength and [[RubberMan Super Stretching]]: Great for fighting crime. Even better for housecleaning.]]