Line #125 LaconicTropeDistinctions/SToZ


1	%% New distinctions also go on the Canonical list.
2
3	Part 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.
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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	!!! '''ShapeshiftingLover vs. ShapeshiftingSeducer'''
40	* ShapeshiftingLover: A lover who happens to be a shapeshifter.
41	* ShapeshiftingSeducer: Uses their powers to seduce, often without their lover knowing.
42
43	!!! '''SharingABody vs. TwoBeingsOneBody'''
44	* SharingABody: Two minds are in one body.
45	* TwoBeingsOneBody: Two beings are physically combined.
46
47	!!! '''ShirtlessScene vs. WalkingShirtlessScene'''
48	* ShirtlessScene: A character takes off his shirt for {{fanservice}}.
49	* WalkingShirtlessScene: A character hardly ever wears a shirt.
50
51	!!! '''ShockAndSwitchEnding vs. SurprisinglyHappyEnding'''
52	* A story unexpectedly has a HappyEnding because:
53	** ShockAndSwitchEnding: It seemed as though the happy ending was undermined.
54	** SurprisinglyHappyEnding: It seemed as though the happy ending wasn't gonna happen at all.
55
56	!!! '''ASimplePlan vs. ZanyScheme''':
57	* The ridiculous, convoluted plan started out:
58	** ASimplePlan: Straightforward.
59	** ZanyScheme: Ridiculous and convoluted.
60
61	!!! '''SortingAlgorithmOfEvil vs. SortingAlgorithmOfVillainThreat''':
62	* The longer a series goes on, the more _____ the villains get.
63	** SortingAlgorithmOfEvil: Competent
64	** SortingAlgorithmOfVillainThreat: Ambitious
65
66	!!! '''SortingAlgorithmOfMortality vs. SortingAlgorithmOfDeadness''':
67	* Charts explaining:
68	** SortingAlgorithmOfMortality: Chance of dying.
69	** SortingAlgorithmOfDeadness: Chance of staying dead.
70
71	!!! '''StalkedByTheBell vs. TimedMission''':
72	* What happens when the timer expires?
73	** TimedMission: Instant GameOver, man.
74	** StalkedByTheBell: Something in-game starts harassing/attacking you; finish the level or die trying!
75
76	!!! '''SubvertedKidsShow vs. WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids vs. WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids''':
77	* SubvertedKidsShow: G-rating characters, R- to X-rated show.
78	* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: Really is a kid's show, but doesn't look like it.
79	* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids: Mistaken for a kid's show because it's in the AnimationAgeGhetto.
80	* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForLittleGirls: Could easily be a kid's show (especially aimed at girls) but is intended for adults.
81
82	!!! '''SugarAndIcePersonality vs. TinMan'''
83	* SugarAndIcePersonality: So, TheSpock really ''does'' have emotions.
84	* TinMan: Wait! Why did TheMcCoy just claim he has no emotions?
85
86	!!! '''SuicideAttack vs. TakingYouWithMe''':
87	* Alice killed herself and the BigBad at the same time...
88	** SuicideAttack: ...because it was the only way.
89	** TakingYouWithMe: ...because she was going to die anyway.
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	[[folder:T]]
93	!!! '''TagalongKid vs. BrattyHalfPint vs. KidAppealCharacter''':
94	* The little kid who...
95	** TagalongKid: ...follows the team.
96	** BrattyHalfPint: ...wants to be on the team.
97	** KidAppealCharacter: ...actually '''is''' on the team.
98
99	!!! '''TattleTail vs TippedOffByTheTail''':
100	* An animal's tail...
101	** TattleTail: reveals emotions it would prefer to keep hidden.
102	** TippedOffByTheTail: exposes its disguise as a human.
103
104	!!! '''TemptingFate vs. WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong''':
105	* Impending catastrophe is glossed over by character...
106	** TemptingFate: Because it looks straightforward to them. Everything will be fine!
107	** WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong: Because they're sure they've covered every contingency.
108
109	!!! '''{{Tomboy}} vs. {{Bokukko}} vs. {{Shorttank}} vs. TheLadette''':
110	* {{Tomboy}}: SuperTrope, girl who acts like a boy.
111	** {{Bokukko}}: Uses male language.
112	** {{Shorttank}}: More boyish than girlish.
113	** TheLadette: More boyish than many boys.
114
115	!!! '''TrainingAccident vs. UnwinnableTrainingSimulation'''
116	* It's a drill...
117	** TrainingAccident: ...but something goes horribly wrong.
118	** UnwinnableTrainingSimulation: ...but the cast isn't able to win.
119
120	!!! '''TropeCodifier vs. TropeMaker vs. TropeNamer vs. UrExample'''
121	* TropeCodifier: The example everyone else copies.
122	* TropeMaker: The first well-known and deliberate example.
123	* TropeNamer: Provides the name used [[Website/TVTropes here]]; may or may not be any of the others, or even an example of the trope.
124	* UrExample: The first example.
125
126	!!! '''TwoLinesNoWaiting vs. ThirdLineSomeWaiting vs. FourLinesAllWaiting'''
127	* In one work, the plot is formed by...
128	** TwoLinesNoWaiting: ...several interconnected plotlines.
129	** ThirdLineSomeWaiting: ...several interconnected plotlines with one that's only significant near the end.
130	** FourLinesAllWaiting: ...several unconnected, alternating plotlines.
131	[[/folder]]
132
133	[[folder:U]]
134	!!! '''UndesirablePrize vs. {{Zonk}}'''
135	* A GameShow prize sucks...
136	** UndesirablePrize: ...but wasn't intended to.
137	** {{Zonk}}: ...to make fun of the losing contestant.
138
139	!!! '''UnexpectedSuccessor vs. YouAreInCommandNow''':
140	* UnexpectedSuccessor: Your dad died, now you're king until ''you'' die.
141	* YouAreInCommandNow: Your captain died, now you're filling in until the real replacement gets here.
142
143	!!! '''UniverseBible vs. UniverseCompendium vs. UniverseConcordance vs. TheWikiRule''':
144	* A database of the series:
145	** UniverseBible: By the producers, for producer use.
146	** UniverseCompendium: By the producers, for fan reading.
147	** UniverseConcordance: By fans, for other fans.
148	** TheWikiRule: In the form of a wiki.
149
150	!!! '''{{Unwinnable}} vs. UnwinnableByDesign vs. UnintentionallyUnwinnable vs. UnwinnableJokeGame vs. EndlessGame''':
151	* {{Unwinnable}}: It's impossible to complete the game because...
152	** UnintentionallyUnwinnable: ...the [[GameBreakingBug Dev Team screwed up]] (even if you helped).
153	** UnwinnableJokeGame: ...the fact that you can't win is the punchline.
154	** EndlessGame: ...the game just continues forever until you die. How far can you get anyway?
155	[[/folder]]
156
157	[[folder:V]]
158	!!! '''VitriolicBestBuds vs. WithFriendsLikeThese'''
159	* Alice and Bob...
160	** VitriolicBestBuds: ...really are friends but fight and name-call a lot.
161	** WithFriendsLikeThese: ...say they're friends but actually hate each other.
162	[[/folder]]
163
164	[[folder:W]]
165	!!! '''WeaponsGradeVocabulary vs. WordsCanBreakMyBones'''
166	Vocal language is the...
167	* WeaponsGradeVocabulary: ...sole cause of pain.
168	* WordsCanBreakMyBones: ...sole medium of a spell.
169
170	!!! '''WhatTheHellHero''' vs '''WhatTheHellPlayer'''
171	* A heroic character does a bad thing...
172	** WhatTheHellHero: ...and gets called out for doing it.
173	** WhatTheHellPlayer: ...and ''you'' get called out for making them do it.
174
175	!!! '''WithFriendsLikeThese vs. WhoNeedsEnemies'''
176	* WithFriendsLikeThese: 'Friends' who really hate each other.
177	* WhoNeedsEnemies: Allies with the same goal but contrasting agendas.
178
179	!!! '''WordOfGod vs. WordOfSaintPaul vs. WordOfDante vs. WordOfGay'''
180	* The info about a work is from:
181	** WordOfGod: One or more of the creators.
182	** WordOfSaintPaul: Someone who knew the creators or helped make the work.
183	** WordOfDante: A really popular fanwork.
184	** WordOfGay: One or more of the creators, about a character's sexuality.
185
186	[[/folder]]
187

Context LaconicTropeDistinctions / SToZ