Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context LaconicTropeDistinctions / SToZ

Go To

1%% New distinctions also go on the Canonical list.
2
3Part 5 of the LaconicalListOfSubtleTropeDistinctions. Items are sorted alphabetically by whichever trope is alphabetically first; if you're looking for a specific one, use the "Find" or "Search" function of your Web browser.
4
5[[center:''Pages: LaconicTropeDistinctions/AToC | LaconicTropeDistinctions/DToF | LaconicTropeDistinctions/GToI | LaconicTropeDistinctions/JToR | '''S to Z''''']]
6----
7[[foldercontrol]]
8
9[[folder:S]]
10!!! '''SchmuckBait vs. PressXToDie''':
11* You got caught in an ObviousTrap.
12** SchmuckBait: "My god, you are an idiot!"
13** PressXToDie: "My god, ''I'' am an idiot!"
14
15!!! '''SecretArt vs. SignatureMove''':
16* A move the character is well-identified with:
17** SecretArt: Because only they know how to.
18** SignatureMove: Because they use it far more than anyone else.
19
20!!! '''SergeantRock vs. TheNeidermeyer vs. DrillSergeantNasty'''
21* A man in charge is tough with his men.
22** SergeantRock: He's a respected, competent leader.
23** TheNeidermeyer: He's a hated, incompetent fool.
24** DrillSergeantNasty: He's widely hated but does a great job of training his men.
25
26!!! '''SenselessSacrifice vs. StupidSacrifice''':
27* SenselessSacrifice: Sacrifice turns out to be in vain.
28* StupidSacrifice: HeroicSacrifice that wasn't the only option.
29
30!!!'''ServantRace vs. SlaveRace'''
31* ServantRace: Created specifically to serve.
32* SlaveRace: Formerly free, MadeASlave.
33
34!!! '''ShaggyDogStory vs. ShootTheShaggyDog'''
35* The characters set out on an adventure, and...
36** ShaggyDogStory: ...accomplish nothing.
37** ShootTheShaggyDog: ...accomplish less than nothing and die.
38
39!!! '''ShockAndSwitchEnding vs. SurprisinglyHappyEnding'''
40* A story unexpectedly has a HappyEnding because:
41** ShockAndSwitchEnding: It seemed as though the happy ending was undermined.
42** SurprisinglyHappyEnding: It seemed as though the happy ending wasn't gonna happen at all.
43
44!!! '''ASimplePlan vs. ZanyScheme''':
45* The ridiculous, convoluted plan started out:
46** ASimplePlan: Straightforward.
47** ZanyScheme: Ridiculous and convoluted.
48
49!!! '''SortingAlgorithmOfEvil vs. SortingAlgorithmOfVillainThreat''':
50* The longer a series goes on, the more _____ the villains get.
51** SortingAlgorithmOfEvil: Competent
52** SortingAlgorithmOfVillainThreat: Ambitious
53
54!!! '''SortingAlgorithmOfMortality vs. SortingAlgorithmOfDeadness''':
55* Charts explaining:
56** SortingAlgorithmOfMortality: Chance of dying.
57** SortingAlgorithmOfDeadness: Chance of staying dead.
58
59!!! '''StalkedByTheBell vs. TimedMission''':
60* What happens when the timer expires?
61** TimedMission: Instant GameOver, man.
62** StalkedByTheBell: Something in-game starts harassing/attacking you; finish the level or die trying!
63
64!!! '''SubvertedKidsShow vs. WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids vs. WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids''':
65* SubvertedKidsShow: G-rating characters, R- to X-rated show.
66* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: Really is a kid's show, but doesn't look like it.
67* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids: Mistaken for a kid's show because it's in the AnimationAgeGhetto.
68* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForLittleGirls: Could easily be a kid's show (especially aimed at girls) but is intended for adults.
69
70!!! '''SugarAndIcePersonality vs. TinMan'''
71* SugarAndIcePersonality: So, TheSpock really ''does'' have emotions.
72* TinMan: Wait! Why did TheMcCoy just claim he has no emotions?
73
74!!! '''SuicideAttack vs. TakingYouWithMe''':
75* Alice killed herself and the BigBad at the same time...
76** SuicideAttack: ...because it was the only way.
77** TakingYouWithMe: ...because she was going to die anyway.
78[[/folder]]
79
80[[folder:T]]
81!!! '''TagalongKid vs. BrattyHalfPint vs. KidAppealCharacter''':
82* The little kid who...
83** TagalongKid: ...follows the team.
84** BrattyHalfPint: ...wants to be on the team.
85** KidAppealCharacter: ...actually '''is''' on the team.
86
87!!! '''TattleTail vs TippedOffByTheTail''':
88* An animal's tail...
89** TattleTail: reveals emotions it would prefer to keep hidden.
90** TippedOffByTheTail: exposes its disguise as a human.
91
92!!! '''TemptingFate vs. WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong''':
93* Impending catastrophe is glossed over by character...
94** TemptingFate: Because it looks straightforward to them. Everything will be fine!
95** WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong: Because they're sure they've covered every contingency.
96
97!!! '''{{Tomboy}} vs. {{Bokukko}} vs. {{Shorttank}} vs. TheLadette''':
98* {{Tomboy}}: SuperTrope, girl who acts like a boy.
99** {{Bokukko}}: Uses male language.
100** {{Shorttank}}: More boyish than girlish.
101** TheLadette: More boyish than many boys.
102
103!!! '''TrainingAccident vs. UnwinnableTrainingSimulation'''
104* It's a drill...
105** TrainingAccident: ...but something goes horribly wrong.
106** UnwinnableTrainingSimulation: ...but the cast isn't able to win.
107
108!!! '''TropeCodifier vs. TropeMaker vs. TropeNamer vs. UrExample'''
109* TropeCodifier: The example everyone else copies.
110* TropeMaker: The first well-known and deliberate example.
111* TropeNamer: Provides the name used [[Website/TVTropes here]]; may or may not be any of the others, or even an example of the trope.
112* UrExample: The first example.
113
114!!! '''TwoLinesNoWaiting vs. ThirdLineSomeWaiting vs. FourLinesAllWaiting'''
115* In one work, the plot is formed by...
116** TwoLinesNoWaiting: ...several interconnected plotlines.
117** ThirdLineSomeWaiting: ...several interconnected plotlines with one that's only significant near the end.
118** FourLinesAllWaiting: ...several unconnected, alternating plotlines.
119[[/folder]]
120
121[[folder:U]]
122!!! '''UndesirablePrize vs. {{Zonk}}'''
123* A GameShow prize sucks...
124** UndesirablePrize: ...but wasn't intended to.
125** {{Zonk}}: ...to make fun of the losing contestant.
126
127!!! '''UnexpectedSuccessor vs. YouAreInCommandNow''':
128* UnexpectedSuccessor: Your dad died, now you're king until ''you'' die.
129* YouAreInCommandNow: Your captain died, now you're filling in until the real replacement gets here.
130
131!!! '''UniverseBible vs. UniverseCompendium vs. UniverseConcordance vs. TheWikiRule''':
132* A database of the series:
133** UniverseBible: By the producers, for producer use.
134** UniverseCompendium: By the producers, for fan reading.
135** UniverseConcordance: By fans, for other fans.
136** TheWikiRule: In the form of a wiki.
137
138!!! '''{{Unwinnable}} vs. UnwinnableByDesign vs. UnintentionallyUnwinnable vs. UnwinnableJokeGame vs. EndlessGame''':
139* {{Unwinnable}}: It's impossible to complete the game because...
140** UnintentionallyUnwinnable: ...the [[GameBreakingBug Dev Team screwed up]] (even if you helped).
141** UnwinnableJokeGame: ...the fact that you can't win is the punchline.
142** EndlessGame: ...the game just continues forever until you die. How far can you get anyway?
143[[/folder]]
144
145[[folder:V]]
146!!! '''VitriolicBestBuds vs. WithFriendsLikeThese'''
147* Alice and Bob...
148** VitriolicBestBuds: ...really are friends but fight and name-call a lot.
149** WithFriendsLikeThese: ...say they're friends but actually hate each other.
150[[/folder]]
151
152[[folder:W]]
153!!! '''WeaponsGradeVocabulary vs. WordsCanBreakMyBones'''
154Vocal language is the...
155* WeaponsGradeVocabulary: ...sole cause of pain.
156* WordsCanBreakMyBones: ...sole medium of a spell.
157
158!!! '''WhatTheHellHero''' vs '''WhatTheHellPlayer'''
159* A heroic character does a bad thing...
160** WhatTheHellHero: ...and gets called out for doing it.
161** WhatTheHellPlayer: ...and ''you'' get called out for making them do it.
162
163!!! '''WithFriendsLikeThese vs. WhoNeedsEnemies'''
164* WithFriendsLikeThese: 'Friends' who really hate each other.
165* WhoNeedsEnemies: Allies with the same goal but contrasting agendas.
166
167!!! '''WordOfGod vs. WordOfSaintPaul vs. WordOfDante vs. WordOfGay'''
168* The info about a work is from:
169** WordOfGod: One or more of the creators.
170** WordOfSaintPaul: Someone who knew the creators or helped make the work.
171** WordOfDante: A really popular fanwork.
172** WordOfGay: One or more of the creators, about a character's sexuality.
173
174[[/folder]]
175

Top