History Main / SmallReferencePools

* BBC Radio show ''Round Britain Quiz'' is almost an inversion of this trope. It's a highbrow panel game for some very well-read intellectuals, except when it comes to anything that's recent, science-/engineering-based, or American. Then it switches to ''Huge'' Reference Pools -- some people who know everything about classical literature or classical music (to take some recent examples) are clueless on questions about Elton John or Pink Floyd, or don't know which city is 'Motown'.

* The general public definitely knows about the Flower Duet (Sous le dôme épais) from Léo Delibes' ''Lakmé'', most popularly heard in a British Airways Ad. The Flower Duet has also been used in films such as ''Film/{{The Hunger}}'', ''Film/{{Piranha 3D}}'', and ''Film/MeetTheParents''.

* {{Anime}}? ''Manga/{{Akira}}'', and anything by Creator/HayaoMiyazaki.

* Ask someone outside of Japan to name a Creator/{{Sanrio}} character. No doubt they'll say Hello Kitty, maybe Keroppi, Badzt Maru and My Melody if you're lucky, ignoring more recent characters like Cinnamon (who always tops popularity polls in Japan) or Gudetama, although younger people might bring up ''Anime/Aggretsuko'' and Kuromi.

* Ask someone outside of Japan to name a Creator/{{Sanrio}} character. No doubt they'll say Hello Kitty, maybe Keroppi, Badzt Maru and My Melody if you're lucky, ignoring more recent characters like Cinnamon (who always tops popularity polls in Japan) or Gudetama.

* At least in the west, [[Creator/{{Nijisanji}} Vox Akuma]] and [[WebAnimation/{{Hololive}} Yukoku Roberu]] are the only male [[VirtualYouTuber Virtual YouTubers]].

->''"Anyone who thinks one book has all the answers, hasn't read enough books."''

* Vinny and Joel are the only streamers associated with ''WebOriginal/{{Vinesauce}}''.

* [[OurCryptidsAreMoreMysterious Cryptids]] in fiction will usually be [[BigfootSasquatchAndYeti Bigfoot, Yeti]], the [[StockNessMonster Loch Ness monster]], and {{Chupacabra}}. If you're lucky you might get TheMothman.

* "Music/RideOfTheValkyries" from Music/RichardWagner's ''Die Walküre'' is most commonly associated with ''Film/ApocalypseNow''.

** Likewise, people tend to assume that films by Creator/IlluminationEntertainment (such as ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'' or ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretLifeOfPets'') are either Pixar or [=DreamWorks=] properties.

* Male WholesomeCrossdresser characters? [[VideoGame/GuiltyGear Bridget]] and [[LightNovel/FateApocrypha Astolfo]] are the only such characters ever made.

One notable case where all these qualms about obscurity get thrown out the window is the CelebrityStar. It's much easier to get a guest who's "famous" than one who's ''actually'' well known. If a band makes an appearance, [[GushingAboutGuestStars most of the characters will suddenly become fans]], no matter how obscure or washed up the band really is -- which can also lead to such hilarious situations as the CityMouse suddenly liking CountryMusic or the wholesome, mostly white, DomCom family all loving a rapper who is not normally known for being family friendly. Likewise, B- and C-list actors are all suddenly big stars when they walk onto a TV show and everyone will know them by their real names.

A SuperTrope to NothingButHits, SmallTaxonomyPools and GeekReferencePool.

A SisterTrope to ParodyDisplacement, PublicMediumIgnorance, CulturalCrossReference, PopculturalOsmosis, EiffelTowerEffect and JustForFun/EverybodyKnowsThat. Depending on how small the reference pool is, this can sometimes lead to certain works being a ShallowParody of the genre or medium they're referencing.