Line #436 TropeDistinctions/DToF


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2	%% Don't forget to keep this list synced with the Laconical List Of Subtle Trope Distinctions by adding any new distinctions there as well as here.
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5	Part 2 of the CanonicalListOfSubtleTropeDistinctions. Items are sorted alphabetically by whichever trope is alphabetically first; if you're looking for one in specific, use the "Find" or "Search" function of your Web browser.
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7	[[center:[-Pages: [[TropeDistinctions/AToC A — C]] \| '''D — F''' \| [[TropeDistinctions/GToI G — I]] \| [[TropeDistinctions/JToR J — R]] \| [[TropeDistinctions/SToZ S — Z]]-]]]
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11	[[folder:D]]
12	!!!DeadHorseTrope vs. DeadUnicornTrope vs. DiscreditedTrope vs. ForgottenTrope vs. UndeadHorseTrope
13	* DiscreditedTrope: A trope that is no longer taken seriously by audiences, leading to a decline in straight uses.
14	* DeadHorseTrope: A trope that was once played straight, but now parodies and subversions are all you see.
15	* DeadUnicornTrope: A trope that was never actually played straight in the first place, but is treated otherwise like a dead horse trope.
16	* ForgottenTrope: A trope that has disappeared entirely from current works, parodies and subversions included.
17	* UndeadHorseTrope: A trope has been parodied and subverted so thoroughly that it should be a dead horse trope, yet it continues to be played straight frequently.
18
19	!!!DeadPersonConversation vs. MummiesAtTheDinnerTable vs. OfCorpseHesAlive vs. PleaseWakeUp vs. TalkingToTheDead
20	* DeadPersonConversation: The dead character speaks to the living, perhaps as a SpiritAdvisor.
21	* MummiesAtTheDinnerTable: The living character treats a dead body as though the dead person is still alive. The living person is usually crazy.
22	* OfCorpseHesAlive: The living character pretends that a dead body is still alive. This is usually part of some ZanyScheme.
23	* PleaseWakeUp: The living character (usually a young child or someone in a state of shock) can't accept or understand the fact that someone has just died.
24	* TalkingToTheDead: The living character is addressing a dead person, not expecting any sort of response.
25
26	!!! DeadlyEuphemism vs. ImpliedDeathThreat vs. ShameIfSomethingHappened vs. TroubleEntendre
27	* DeadlyEuphemism: Referring to someone's demise, but changing specific words to avoid saying it explicitly.
28	* ShameIfSomethingHappened: Talking about things that could potentially happen and ruin the hearer's circumstances, making it apparent that you'd be willing to bring those things about if they don't watch themselves.
29	* TroubleEntendre: Using seemingly-normal conversation that carries secondary meaning to the hearer, to make it clear that you wish them harm or are threatening them.
30	** ImpliedDeathThreat: Or want them dead.
31
32	!!!DeathbringerTheAdorable vs. FluffyTheTerrible
33	* These usually, but not always, refer to creatures:
34	** DeathbringerTheAdorable has a name that makes it sound scary and / or dangerous, but is actually very docile.
35	** FluffyTheTerrible has a cute / funny / nonsensical name but is actually very dangerous and / or sinister.
36
37	!!!DeathByIrony vs. KarmicDeath vs. HoistByHisOwnPetard vs. SelfDisposingVillain.
38	* DeathByIrony: A character's death (not necessarily a villain's) is ironic, which is not necessarily karmic or their own fault. SuperTrope to the three below.
39	* KarmicDeath: A character's death (not necessarily a villain's) is the result of bad karma, which is ironic by definition.
40	* HoistByHisOwnPetard: A character suffers some bad consequence of their own making, not necessarily death.
41	* SelfDisposingVillain: A villain-specific trope where they cause their own demise so the narrative doesn't require the heroes to kill someone in cold blood.
42
43	!!!DeathByMocking vs. DoNotTauntCthulhu vs. LetsMockTheMonsters
44	* DeathByMocking is when mocking ''anyone'', not necessarily the villain or monster, puts you on top of the SortingAlgorithmOfMortality.
45	* DoNotTauntCthulhu is when you ''do'' directly taunt the villain or monster, and it does not end well.
46	* LetsMockTheMonsters is a much more light-hearted version of making fun of monsters, usually ones that genuinely do look silly. This one can even be a DiscussedTrope or TakeThat at monsters in a ShowWithinAShow or a work being criticized.
47
48	!!!DeathOfTheHypotenuse vs. DieForOurShip vs. MurderTheHypotenuse
49	* DeathOfTheHypotenuse is when a romantic rival dies in the story to allow for the "true" couple to get together.
50	* DieForOurShip is an audience reaction in which people who ship ''these'' two characters hate ''that'' character for being "in the way" of their ship. Writing fanfic in which [[DeathOfTheHypotenuse the character does in fact die]] is a common expression of this hatred, and the source of the reaction's name.
51	* MurderTheHypotenuse is when a character decides to take matters into their own hands and (attempt to) kill their romantic rival directly.
52
53	!!!DeathOfTheOldGods vs. EndOfAnAge vs. {{Gotterdammerung}} vs. HereThereWereDragons vs. TheMagicGoesAway
54	* The EndOfAnAge is a SuperTrope in which a more childlike golden age of sorts gives way to an age with less wonder and innocence in it. It is not necessarily magical, it can be [[LostTechnology technological]] or [[ComingOfAgeStory personal to one character]].
55	* In a {{Gotterdammerung}}, the power of the old gods was broken in some sort of cataclysm.
56	* The DeathOfTheOldGods happens more slowly and generally less violently.
57	* HereThereWereDragons is the idea that the past was an age of magic.
58	* A TheMagicGoesAway plot is set at the very end of the era of magic and concerns itself with the last of said magic and how it leaves the world.
59
60	!!!DeathSeeker vs. KillMeNowOrForeverStayYourHand vs. PleaseKillMeIfItSatisfiesYou
61	* DeathSeeker: A character who wants to die and is actively seeking ways to do so, usually in a fight.
62	* KillMeNowOrForeverStayYourHand: A character is put in a situation where he could easily kill a character he hates. Said other character doesn't want to be killed.
63	* PleaseKillMeIfItSatisfiesYou: Due to remorse, character A offers character B the chance to kill him as payback for something A did to B.
64
65	!!!DecapitationRequired vs. DepletedPhlebotinumShells vs. ImmortalBreaker vs. MortalityEnsues
66	* DecapitationRequired: The only way to kill a certain monster is to completely detach its most vital organ ([[ChunkySalsaRule or reduce said organ to puree]]); any 'normal' wound is too easy to recover from.
67	* DepletedPhlebotinumShells: A monster is immune to most things, but has one crippling weakness (eg. silver, moonlight, sunlight, garlic). Weaponising this (eg. SilverBullet) will kill the monster. Usually has a specific, spelled-out link between the property used and the monster, and tends to defeat one specific type of creature.
68	* ImmortalBreaker: Through a variety of potential means, a weapon or artefact ignores or supersedes immortality. Usually is equally applicable to all immortals, and is a property of the weapon itself rather than some component of it.
69	* MortalityEnsues: An immortal being can have their immortal properties deactivated/removed from them; at this point, they become vulnerable to normal wounds. The indirect way of killing an undying creature.
70
71	!!!DecemberDecemberRomance vs. GrowOldWithMe
72	* A DecemberDecemberRomance is usually a ''new'' relationship between two characters who are elderly.
73	* In GrowOldWithMe a couple [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin grow old together]]. They met and established their relationship years before.
74
75	!!!DecoyProtagonist vs. SupportingProtagonist
76	* A DecoyProtagonist appears, for all intents and purposes, to be the main character, until they are forcibly and permanently removed from that role; usually by death.
77	* A viewpoint character who retains that role for most or all of the plot, but isn't the one driving said plot, is paired with a SupportingProtagonist.
78
79	!!!DefaceOfTheMoon vs. DetonationMoon
80	* In DefaceOfTheMoon someone damages the Moon, but doesn't destroy it, usually because people seeing what he's done to the Moon is the point.
81	* In DetonationMoon, the Moon does, in fact, blow up.
82
83	!!!DefangedHorrors vs. NightmareRetardant
84	* DefangedHorrors are ''supposed'' to only be mildly scary, usually to give kids an enjoyable age-appropriate scare rather than something traumatizing. They can be of good quality, just not high-level NightmareFuel.
85	* NightmareRetardant is anything that was supposed to be normally scary, but is ''not'' of good enough quality to actually scare anybody.
86
87	!!!{{Defictionalization}} vs. ProductPlacement vs. TheRedStapler
88	* {{Defictionalization}} takes place when a fictional product in a media work is turned into a real product in the real world. It is generally pre-planned.
89	* TheRedStapler is when the use of a product in a work of fiction creates a demand for the product. The product may be real or fictional, but the effect is almost always unplanned.
90	* ProductPlacement involves real world products being inserted into a work of fiction with the specific purpose of creating a demand for them.
91
92	!!!DemBones vs. SkeletonCrew
93	* DemBones is animated skeletons as undead, usually mindless monsters
94	* SkeletonCrew is the non-animated skeletons of the dead crew found on a GhostShip
95
96	!!!DemonicSpiders vs. GoddamnedBats
97	* GoddamnedBats are creatures that delay the player by being ''hard to hit'' and/or ''hard to avoid''.
98	* DemonicSpiders are GoddamnedBats that also delay the player by being ''very deadly''.
99
100	!!!DemotedToDragon vs. DragonInChief vs. TheManBehindTheMan vs. TheManInFrontOfTheMan vs. DragonAscendant vs. DragonWithAnAgenda vs. GreaterScopeVillain vs. TheStarscream
101	* DemotedToDragon is when a new BigBad appears, and the old BigBad becomes his right hand man, or really was TheDragon all along.
102	* DragonInChief is when the Dragon is the real BigBad through the story, even though he has someone in a superior position that would normally be the main villain.
103	* TheManBehindTheMan and TheManInFrontOfTheMan are the same as above respectively, but those are revealed as a plot twists.
104	* DragonAscendant is when TheDragon takes over the role of the BigBad after the defeat of their master at the hand of the heroes.
105	* DragonWithAnAgenda is when TheDragon and the BigBad have different goals, it varies on who does what their group should be doing and who is doing what he wants.
106	* GreaterScopeVillain is when there is an evil that is much more powerful than the BigBad, but is not directly causing the conflict.
107	* TheStarscream is when TheDragon directly plots to depose or kill their master.
108
109	!!!DemotedToExtra vs. OutOfFocus
110	* DemotedToExtra is when a character was a part of the main cast, but gets shoved off into the background until they might as well not be there. Note that this mainly applies to sequels and adaptations, whereas...
111	* OutOfFocus is when they lose focus during a season/story arc so that other characters can get spotlight episodes.
112
113	!!!DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment vs. ShapedLikeItself
114	* ShapedLikeItself is an instance where someone expresses themselves by using multiple words that mean the same thing.
115	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment is a subtrope in which the same words or phrases are repeated over and over (often for comedic effect).
116
117	!!!DepravedHomosexual vs. SissyVillain
118	* A DepravedHomosexual is a bad person who's explicitly interested in their own sex; their misdeeds often actually include sexual harassment or assault.
119	* A SissyVillain is a villain with effeminate characteristics, like wearing pink or having a high-pitched voice. They ''don't'' need to demonstrate any sexual interest.
120
121	!!!DerailedFairyTale vs. FairyTaleFreeForAll vs. FracturedFairyTale
122	* A DerailedFairyTale occurs when someone is telling a story or reading a book out loud ''in-universe'' but [[DerailedForDetails gets interrupted by too many questions]] to tell the story properly.
123	* A FracturedFairyTale is when the work itself is based on making [[PlayedForLaughs funny]] or [[DarkerAndEdgier dark]] twists to a well-known fairy tale.
124	** FairyTaleFreeForAll is a subtrope, referring to works where the change is that characters of various stories interact.
125
126	!!!DesignatedEvil vs. DesignatedMonkey vs. DesignatedVillain vs. DracoInLeatherPants vs. InformedWrongness vs. JerkassWoobie vs. KarmicOverkill vs. RootingForTheEmpire vs. StrawmanHasAPoint vs. UnintentionallySympathetic
127	* DesignatedEvil is when an ''action'' is framed as evil by a story, but the audience doesn't agree.
128	* DesignatedVillain is when a character is meant to be a villain, but the viewers disagree because they never did anything that bad.
129	* DracoInLeatherPants is when a character ''is'' a villain, and clearly does bad things, but the audience ''ignores'' their villainy due to finding the character cool, funny, or sexy.
130	* InformedWrongness is when a character is supposed to be in the wrong, though not necessarily a villain, but the audience disagrees.
131	* JerkassWoobie is when someone is a jerk, and the audience agrees, but they feel sorry for them anyway due to the hardships they suffer.
132	* KarmicOverkill is when a character is punished for something, and the audience agrees that they deserved to be punished, but thinks the punishment they got was too much.
133	* RootingForTheEmpire is any time the audience prefers the villains to the heroes, which could be for a number of reasons, some logical and some not.
134	* StrawmanHasAPoint is a subset of InformedWrongness, for when a character is supposed to be a StrawCharacter yet still doesn't seem to be in the wrong.
135	* UnintentionallySympathetic is when the audiences sympathise with the antagonist (but don't necessarily prefer them to the hero) for whatever reason, and the author didn't intend them to. Differs from DesignatedVillain in that they may have still done something villainous, but managed to be sympathetic anyway.
136	* DesignatedMonkey is a subset of UnintentionallySympathetic, for when the reason the audience sympathises with the character is because they have [[ButtMonkey rotten luck]].
137
138	!!!DestructoNookie vs. KissKissSlap vs. SlapSlapKiss
139	* Two people who're hostile, yet romantically attracted, display both at once.
140	** DestructoNookie: The couple in question's hostility leads them to trash the area while they're making love. This might involve doing it roughly, or either of the two tropes below making them switch between loving and fighting.
141	** KissKissSlap: The couple are showing one another affection when one or both of them suddenly becomes hostile (either because they're confused by the affection, or they remember they have a reason to be angry with each other).
142	** SlapSlapKiss: Conversely, while the couple are being hostile, they're suddenly overwhelmed by their feelings for one another and show affection (i.e. they kiss). This and KissKissSlap can "chain" together (as the page images for both show), causing them to flit between flirting and fighting.
143
144	!!!DetectEvil vs. KillingIntent
145	* DetectEvil is when noticing evil requires an explicit supernatural power. Depending on the precise mechanics of the power it may detect "stereotypically evil energies" rather than evil itself, thus throwing a false positive against DarkIsNotEvil characters.
146	* KillingIntent is when evil has a direct physical presence that anyone can notice. While some people may be better at spotting it than others, this is simply a result of sharper senses. It also covers general aggression, and sometimes even the most evil enemy can escape detection simply by not thinking aggressive thoughts.
147
148	!!!TheDeterminator vs. ImplacableMan
149	* TheDeterminator is a character who never stops pursuing his goal, no matter how much suffering or sacrifice they take along the way.
150	* The ImplacableMan is a character who never stops pursuing his goal because he cannot be damaged.
151
152	!!!DeusExNukina vs. NuclearOption vs. NukeEm
153	* DeusExNukina is when a nuke is [[HollywoodScience scientifically]] used to avert a disaster or solve a problem.
154	* NuclearOption is when a nuke is an appropriate, deliberated violent response to a problem that conventional munitions cannot handle.
155	* NukeEm is when a nuke is [[GeneralRipper impulsively and militarily]] used to destroy a target.
156
157	!!!DevelopmentHell vs. {{Vaporware}}
158	* A work that never seems to be able to be finished. The tropes are distinguished by medium:
159	** DevelopmentHell refers to '''films''' that never seem to be able to finish production.
160	** {{Vaporware}} is the '''video game''' equivalent.
161
162	!!!DevilInPlainSight vs. ObviousJudas vs. ObviouslyEvil
163	* A DevilInPlainSight is a character who's ObviouslyEvil, or antagonistic, but is trying to hide this from the good guys, causing immense frustration for the audience and usually at least one of the good guys who's trying to expose the DevilInPlainSight ''before'' their evil schemes go off.
164	* ObviousJudas is the person who's obviously going to make a FaceHeelTurn, whether it's made obvious to the audience by their appearance or their actions. It's YMMV because the "obvious" part is the audience's opinion -- it's not necessarily intended by the writers.
165	* ObviouslyEvil is an umbrella trope for looks and behaviors used to convey to the audience that someone is up to no good. This type of character is often also a DevilInPlainSight, unless they aren't even trying to hide their evil agenda and are spotted as villains right away.
166
167	!!!DieForOurShip vs. ShipToShipCombat
168	* DieForOurShip is when fans of a pair of characters twist one of their possible LoveInterests into something [[OutOfCharacter completely unlike their original character]] (either in FanFiction or just their general view of the character) to make way for their OneTruePairing.
169	* ShipToShipCombat is usually an attack on the {{shipp\|ing}}er(s) of a rival OTP.
170
171	!!!DieselPunk vs. RaygunGothic
172	* RaygunGothic was the predominant aesthetic of science fiction from the RealLife 1920s through the 1950s; these days, it's mainly used for sci-fi that's deliberately trying to be retro. It's a relatively shiny and optimistic vision of the (then-) future.
173	* DieselPunk is PunkPunk fiction set in a fictionalized version of the 1920s to the 1950s. It basically bridges the gap between SteamPunk and CyberPunk. It's a relatively recent genre; the term "dieselpunk" was coined in 2001.
174
175	!!!DifficultButAwesome vs. LethalJokeCharacter
176	* DifficultButAwesome: A character/faction has obvious potential, but has a steep learning curve.
177	* LethalJokeCharacter: A character/faction appears to be a JokeCharacter at first, but actually has some hidden tricks that can be exploited for victory.
178
179	!!!DirtyBusiness vs. MyGodWhatHaveIDone
180	* DirtyBusiness: A character regrets knowingly and willingly [[ShootTheDog shooting the dog]] or otherwise [[IDidWhatIHadToDo doing something unpleasant but necessary]].
181	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: A character generically regrets something he did. The character may or may not be fully responsible for the actions.
182
183	!!!DirectLineToTheAuthor vs. LiteraryAgentHypothesis vs. RecursiveCanon vs. ATrueStoryInMyUniverse
184	* DirectLineToTheAuthor: The story says that it's based on true events (possibly as related to the author by one of the characters).
185	* LiteraryAgentHypothesis: [[{{Fanon}} Fans interpret the story]] as the author's retelling of a true story, with no direct support from {{Canon}} or WordOfGod.
186	* RecursiveCanon: The story contains a [[NestedStory story within a story]] that includes elements of the "outer" story.
187	* ATrueStoryInMyUniverse: A [[NestedStory story within a story]] is based on true events in the world of the "outer" story, as distinguished from real-world {{Canon}} or {{Fanon}}.
188
189	!!!DiscOneFinalBoss vs. StarterVillain
190	* DiscOneFinalBoss: A villain set up as the BigBad that is defeated early on or in the middle of the story, making way for a new BigBad to drive the plot.
191	* StarterVillain: A "beginner's" villain meant for TheHero to overcome ''before'' facing the first BigBad.
192
193	!!!DiseaseByAnyOtherName vs. TheDiseaseThatShallNotBeNamed
194	* DiseaseByAnyOtherName is when a disease isn't named due to the characters not knowing what it is.
195	* TheDiseaseThatShallNotBeNamed is when a disease isn't named due to superstition, social taboo, or because the writer wants to avoid calling the disease by something specific lest they [[ArtisticLicenseMedicine get something wrong]].
196
197	!!!DisguisedInDrag vs. HarmlessLadyDisguise
198	* DisguisedInDrag is the super trope; it refers to people wearing clothing associated with the opposite gender to disguise themselves for some purpose, often to perform a job or get into an area that's barred to their own gender, but sometimes to hide their identity completely.
199	* HarmlessLadyDisguise is a subtrope where disguising as a woman, often specifically an ''old'' woman, is done in order to appear harmless to potential targets of snooping or worse.
200
201	!!!DisposableVagrant vs. KillThePoor
202	* DisposableVagrant is when the impoverished are killed or exploited by others because anything that happens to them is unlikely to be noticed by the public or authorities at large; moreover, people targeting them usually have a personal goal to attain (i.e. completing a scientific study or research).
203	* KillThePoor is when the impoverished are killed or exploited simply for being poor; individuals targeting the poor in this scenario deliberately want to eliminate their population.
204
205	!!!DissonantSerenity vs. TheStoic vs. TranquilFury
206	* DissonantSerenity is when a character is unnaturally calm, sometimes even happy, when being violent. Insanity is usually involved.
207	* TranquilFury implies that the character is angry within, but actively controlling and reining in this rage, rather than being outright collected.
208	* Both of the above are distinct from TheStoic in that the characters using them will normally display emotions like regular people, but only become chill when a situation is serious. TheStoic is always emotionless.
209
210	!!!DistaffCounterpart vs. GenderBender vs. GenderFlip vs. OppositeSexClone vs. RuleSixtyThree
211	* A DistaffCounterpart[=/=]Spear Counterpart is a character who is based on another character but is of the opposite sex.
212	* In GenderBender, a character changes physical sex in the story.
213	* In GenderFlip, the writers base a story on an older one while reversing the characters' sexes.
214	* An OppositeSexClone is a character created by an in-story cloning process to be identical to an existing character, but the opposite sex.
215	* RuleSixtyThree reverses the physical sex of a character and keeps them in the same universe, as if they were subject to a GenderBender.
216
217	!!!DogFoodDiet vs. EatingPetFood
218	* In DogFoodDiet, a poor person eats pet food because they can't afford proper human food.
219	* EatingPetFood is a subtrope of IAteWhat, in which a person ''accidentally'' eats pet food; they're tricked into doing so or mistake it for something else that's more palatable for human consumption.
220
221	!!!ADogNamedDog vs. ALizardNamedLiz vs. RaceNameBasis vs. SpeciesSurname
222	* ADogNamedDog: An animal is named the name of their species, whether it's the same or in a different language (e.g., a dog named [[ThisIsMyNameOnForeign "Perro", "Chien", or "Inu"]]).
223	* ALizardNamedLiz: An animal is given a name that is a play on their species name either by sight (a cat named '''Cat'''herine[[note]]A cat named "Kitty" or "Cat" would be ADogNamedDog unless it's established her full canonical name is "Catherine".[[/note]]) or by sound (a horse named Horace), and/or otherwise based on some aspect of the animal (a goose named Honker, a dolphin named Finn, etc.).
224	* SpeciesSurname: A {{Talking\|Animal}}, {{Civilized\|Animal}}, or FunnyAnimal whose last name is their species (Benny Buffalo, Florence Flamingo, Edward Tortoise, etc.).
225	* RaceNameBasis: An animal (or other being) is referred to by their species rather than their individual name for whatever -- though not necessarily a malicious -- reason.
226
227	!!!DolledUpInstallment vs. InNameOnly
228	* A DolledUpInstallment is when a production begins as a stand-alone project, then someone makes mention that it has a resemblance to a prior story or franchise. So instead of starting from scratch, they buy the rights and change the current script using the names from the older work.
229	* InNameOnly is when a production is slated from the beginning to be an adaptation, but the resulting production has only a superficial resemblance to the source material, usually with cries of AdaptationDecay.
230
231	!!!DoNotAttempt vs. DontTryThisAtHome
232	* In DoNotAttempt, words to this effect are used as a disclaimer even in absurd situations, e.g. it's an obvious dramatization you literally ''can't'' attempt (or the opposite, it appears even over safe and proper uses of the item.) Most common in advertising.
233	* In DontTryThisAtHome, the thing really is both extremely risky and quite possible for viewers to try, so they need to cover their asses by telling you not to. Most common in non-fiction and fiction that's BreakingTheFourthWall.
234
235	!!!DontFearTheReaper vs. FaceDeathWithDignity vs. NotAfraidToDie vs. ObiWanMoment
236	* DontFearTheReaper: The AnthropomorphicPersonification of death is not scary at all.
237	* FaceDeathWithDignity: A character accepts dignified death as appropriate punishment for their misdeeds.
238	* NotAfraidToDie: The character ''lives'' knowing they can die any moment but is not afraid of it.
239	* ObiWanMoment: A mentor ''dies'' serenely, offering last advice to those remaining behind.
240
241	!!!DoWrongRight vs. EvenEvilHasStandards vs. PragmaticVillainy
242	* EvenEvilHasStandards is when a villain doesn't do something abhorrent because even he finds it too evil.
243	* PragmaticVillainy is when a villain doesn't do something abhorrent because he knows it's not practical.
244	* DoWrongRight is when, in the process of doing something abhorrent, someone points out how they're doing it wrong and then offer advice on how to do it properly.
245
246	!!!DracoInLeatherPants vs. EvilIsCool vs. LoveToHate vs. RootingForTheEmpire
247	* DracoInLeatherPants refers to villains who are attractive being portrayed as less villainous (and often more generically suave and romantic) in FanFic.
248	* EvilIsCool is about villains that were ''created'' with cool traits, such as snappy dialogue or amazing powers or gadgets. They may ''cause'' audience reactions like DracoInLeatherPants or RootingForTheEmpire (in fact, [[Franchise/StarWars the latter's Trope Namer]] ''is'' its Trope Namer because the Empire is cool), but that's not necessarily relevant.
249	* LoveToHate is on the other end of the spectrum from the other two tropes; it refers to villains who are entertaining ''precisely because'' the audience still sees them as villains. Watching them go about their schemes is fun, but watching them get their comeuppance is even more so.
250	* RootingForTheEmpire refers to fans identifying with or justifying an evil faction. These fans are less likely to omit antagonistic actions completely than those with DracoInLeatherPants, and more likely to argue that the faction had good ''reasons'' for them.
251
252	!!!TheDragAlong vs. TheLoad
253	* TheDragAlong is a character who's with the rest of the team for some reason (e.g. family, money, repaying a favor, [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike having just been rescued]]) but has no ''enthusiasm'' for the adventures they find themselves in--usually they're a coward or pessimist. They may prove useful in a pinch.
254	* TheLoad is a character with no ''skills'' for the adventures; they frequently have to be bailed out of a sticky situation. Their level of enthusiasm varies, and in fact some Loads are that way ''because'' they're so eager to be with this specific team or just [[JumpedAtTheCall to have an adventure]], they get into harm's way.
255
256	!!!DrowningMySorrows vs. INeedAFreakingDrink vs. LiquidCourage
257	* DrowningMySorrows is when someone drinks alcohol to forget a sad or depressing circumstance.
258	* INeedAFreakingDrink is when someone drinks alcohol ''after'' a stressful or frightening experience in an effort to cope with the stress.
259	* LiquidCourage is when someone drinks alcohol ''before'' a stressful or frightening experience in an effort to damp down their anxiety [[IDidWhatIHadToDo so they can do what needs to be done]].
260
261	!!! '''DualBoss vs. FlunkyBoss vs. WolfpackBoss'''
262	* A DualBoss involves a fight with usually two enemies at once, each one strong enough to be a boss in its own right.
263	* A FlunkyBoss involves a boss who is accompanied by a group of weaker minions. Defeating the boss will usually end the fight immediately, unlike the other examples where you have to defeat everyone.
264	* A WolfpackBoss involves multiple enemies at once who are stronger than the regular mooks but not strong enough to be a boss in isolation. They make up for their lack of strength by a numbers advantage.
265
266	!!!DullSurprise vs. FlatJoy vs. ThatMakesMeFeelAngry
267	* In DullSurprise, the ''actor'' is speaking too flatly to convey the proper emotion.
268	* In FlatJoy, the ''character'' is speaking flatly, whether because they're [[DeadpanSnarker being sarcastic]] or because they do think what's going on is good but aren't very emotional.
269	* In ThatMakesMeFeelAngry, someone ''says'' what they're feeling, with or without the corresponding tone, whether because they have no other way of expressing their feelings, because the person they're talking to has no other way of ''understanding'' them, or (similarly to DullSurprise) because the creator has no other way of ''describing'' how the character is feeling.
270
271	!!!DumbIsGood vs. GoodIsDumb
272	* DumbIsGood: Being dumb makes you good.
273	* GoodIsDumb: Being good makes you dumb.
274
275	!!!DumbIsGood vs. KindheartedSimpleton vs. RedemptionDemotion
276	* DumbIsGood is about how dumber people are good to begin with, and serves as a statement for the work itself.
277	* KindheartedSimpleton is about well-meaning, well-intentioned dumb people, without regard to their placement and effect in the work.
278	* RedemptionDemotion is about someone becoming good and then becoming dumb or less useful.
279	[[/folder]]
280
281	[[folder:E]]
282	!!!EarlyBirdBoss vs WakeUpCallBoss vs WarmUpBoss
283	All three tropes refer to a BossBattle early in a video game. This boss...
284	* WarmUpBoss: ...can easily be defeated without the use of advanced techniques and/or a SecondHourSuperpower; it's there to test your mastery of the basics.
285	* WakeUpCallBoss: ...cannot be defeated (easily) without the use of advanced techniques.
286	* EarlyBirdBoss: ...is difficult ''primarily'' due to not having the Second Hour Superpower just yet.
287
288	!!!EarthDrift vs. TheSeriesHasLeftReality
289	* EarthDrift happens when a story starts out in a reasonable facsimile of the real world, only for the worldbuilding to {{retcon}} it into a ConstructedWorld all along.
290	* TheSeriesHasLeftReality is when a work starts out realistic, but develops enough SpeculativeFiction traits that it can no longer be a realistic story, but it is still set on Earth.
291
292	!!!EarthShatteringKaboom vs. TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt
293	* TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt is any severe catastrophe that renders the world unfit for human habitation.
294	* EarthShatteringKaboom is a SubTrope of TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt in which the Earth is literally destroyed, as if the planet were shattered into a million little pieces.
295
296	!!!EasilyForgiven vs. GetOutOfJailFreeCard vs. KarmaHoudini
297	* EasilyForgiven is when a character (usually but not always a villain) is explicitly forgiven by someone for [[KickTheDog misdeeds committed earlier in the series]].
298	* If an actual reason is given for the lack of punishment for said character, that's a GetOutOfJailFreeCard.
299	* If there's no explanation of any sort given, then the character becomes a KarmaHoudini.
300
301	!!!EasySexChange vs. GenderBender vs. GenderFlip
302	* EasySexChange has the trappings of a "realistic" sex change, but portrays it in a more simplistic manner, often minimizing the physical, psychological, and/or social issues involved.
303	* GenderBender changes a character ''completely'' into the opposite sex (usually by magic or AppliedPhlebotinum), as if they were born that way to begin with. (A [[FirstLawOfGenderBending man turned into a woman]] would be able to get pregnant, etc.) Wholly impossible in RealLife (apart from a few oddities in the animal kingdom).
304	* GenderFlip doesn't involve an actual sex change: A character is re-designed, ''out-of-universe'', as the opposite gender of what the audience knew them to be. In-universe, the character actually ''was'' born that way to begin with.
305
306
307	!!!ElongatingArmGag vs. ExtendableArms
308	* An ElongatingArmGag is for when a character extends their arm or other body part in a one-off gag.
309	* ExtendableArms are when a character is established to have extending limbs as an ability.
310
311	!!!EmpathicWeapon vs. LoyalPhlebotinum vs. OnlyICanMakeItGo
312	* An EmpathicWeapon has a mind of its own, acting as an ally of the wielder rather than a simple tool. It will generally refuse to work for anyone else.
313	* LoyalPhlebotinum is a tool or power that will not activate for anyone but its proper user.
314	* OnlyICanMakeItGo describes a vehicle that will stop running or fail to start in the first place because of subtle quirks that the owner knows how to work around.
315
316	!!!EndlessGame vs. GameOver vs. {{Unwinnable}}
317	* An EndlessGame is [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin just that]] -- you simply continue playing from level to level until you ultimately lose.
318	* A GameOver is the game declaring ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: You died, ran out of lives, or failed a mission objective, so your game is over.
319	* An {{Unwinnable}} situation occurs when something makes it impossible to progress in a game but ''doesn't'' result in a GameOver, forcing you to start over yourself.
320
321	!!!EnemyMime vs. EveryoneHatesMimes
322	* An EnemyMime is a mime who's evil or at least actively antagonistic towards other characters. Compare MonsterClown.
323	* In EveryoneHatesMimes the mime is a ButtMonkey, being hurt or mocked by other people regardless of his actual personality and alignment.
324
325	!!! EnemySummoner vs. FlunkyBoss vs. JustYouMeAndMyGuards vs. MookMaker
326	* An EnemySummoner is a mook that calls in other mooks. The Summoner is capable of fighting on their own.
327	* A FlunkyBoss is a boss who fights alongside mooks, whether they come with him at the start or he summoned them.
328	* JustYouMeAndMyGuards is when what is supposed to be a one-on-one duel is interrupted by one side's troops. The side that has troops may then play FlunkyBoss, but they may as well not.
329	* MookMaker is a facility that spawns mooks; usually cannot fight by themselves, sometimes can be destroyed and sometimes not.
330
331	!!!EnemyWithout vs. LiteralSplitPersonality
332	* An EnemyWithout is a facet of a character's personality brought out into the physical world.
333	* A LiteralSplitPersonality is an entire character split in two.
334	** Basic rule of thumb: if you can point to one of the instances of the character and say "that's the original one", it's a case of EnemyWithout; if all the copies have an equal claim on being the original, it's a LiteralSplitPersonality.
335
336	!!!EpilepticTrees vs. EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory vs. WildMassGuessing
337	* These all refer to speculation made by the audience about a show, the first two differ based on their subject.
338	** EpilepticTrees are guesses about something internal to the show's story - Character A is Character B's father, Character C is really working for Faction D, etc.
339	** EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory refers to speculation about the allegorical meaning of the show - Character A represents Stalin, the war is a metaphor for the conflict between science and religion, etc.
340	** WildMassGuessing is not a trope, but a wiki section where tropers can record their own EpilepticTrees and EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory speculation.
341
342	!!!EthicalSlut vs. GoodBadGirl
343	* The GoodBadGirl is unapologetically promiscuous privately but in no way depraved or uncaring. Almost AlwaysFemale.
344	* The EthicalSlut sees "SexIsGood" as their great mission in life. Can be of any gender.
345
346	!!!EvenBeggarsWontChooseIt vs. EveryoneHasStandards
347	* EvenBeggarsWontChooseIt puts focus on the object and its quality, or lack thereof; it's not even fit for people who you'd logically think were in desperate need of something like it.
348	* EveryoneHasStandards puts focus on the person doing the choosing; they're not rejecting the object, person or course of action just because it's crap, but because it's [[EvenEvilHasStandards too evil for them]], [[EvenNerdsHaveStandards too embarrassing]], or otherwise against their personal guidelines.
349
350	!!!EvenBetterSequel vs. SurprisinglyImprovedSequel
351	* EvenBetterSequel is when a work is good/excellent, and the sequel is even better.
352	* SurprisinglyImprovedSequel is when a work is bad/mediocre/ok, and the sequel is much better.
353
354	!!!EvenTheGirlsWantHer / EvenTheGuysWantHim vs. GayMoment vs. StupidSexyFlanders
355	* EvenTheGirlsWantHer / EvenTheGuysWantHim describes a character who comes across as ridiculously attractive to people usually attracted to their own gender as well as a disproportionate amount of people who aren't.
356	* A GayMoment is when a straight character says or does something (such as complimenting a member of the same gender's appearance, or partaking in an AccidentalHug or AccidentalKiss with a member of the same gender) that, a second later, leads to a "this sounds gay" realization; HaveIMentionedIAmHeterosexualToday ensues.
357	* StupidSexyFlanders is simply the phenomenon of someone experiencing unwarranted sexual attraction towards a member of a sex they usually aren't attracted to. Usually PlayedForLaughs. Different from the GayMoment in that its origins are sexual.
358
359	!!!EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep vs. NoNameGiven vs. OnlyKnownByTheirNickName vs. HisNameReallyIsBarkeep
360	* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep is when a character is only known by a term describing their ''job'' or some other word. For example, [[SpellMyNameWithAThe The]] [[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender Mechanist]].
361	* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname is different in that a character is referred to by any old nickname, as opposed to a word or term that refers exclusively to a person's job or something else that they're known for. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same.
362	* NoNameGiven is when a character may go by title or a nickname, but his actual name is never stated.
363	* HisNameReallyIsBarkeep is when what sounds like a nickname, is the character's ''actual name''.
364
365	!!!EveryoneIsATomato vs. FlockOfWolves
366	* When EveryoneIsATomato, high numbers of characters are revealed as hiding, or not knowing, that they belong to some special category in the work, like robots, aliens or members of a MageSpecies.
367	* A FlockOfWolves is usually about allegiance and can be done with only mundane human groups; it's about [[TheMole someone undercover in an enemy group]] finding out that everyone, or almost everyone, they're interacting with is also undercover rather than a genuine member of the group.
368
369	!!!EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory vs. EveryoneIsSatanInHell
370	* EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory is about fans finding made-up meanings or implausible symbolism in works.
371	* EveryoneIsSatanInHell is about MoralGuardians finding hidden satanic messaging in works, or otherwise declaring them to be evil, often with a dose of CowboyBeBopAtHisComputer and InsaneTrollLogic reflecting lack of knowledge of the work. Could be considered a more specific version of EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory.
372
373	!!!EverythingsBetterWithSparkles vs. GlitterLitter
374	* When EverythingsBetterWithSparkles, glitter is used for aesthetic purposes -- to make things look more valuable, magical, or just prettier and more special.
375	* GlitterLitter occurs when the glitter gets everywhere and is difficult to clean up.
376
377	!!!EvilChancellor vs. TreacherousAdvisor
378	* An EvilChancellor is by definition an adviser to a ruler, as indicated by the fact that [[Administrivia/RenamedTropes The Grand Vizier]] redirects there.
379	* A TreacherousAdvisor is anyone who seems to be an adviser or ally, often to TheHero, only to betray him.
380
381	!!!EvilTaintedThePlace vs. FisherKing vs IndianBurialGround vs. LeakingCanOfEvil
382	* EvilTaintedThePlace means that a location is still affected by something evil that used to live there, even though this original evil is already gone.
383	* The land of a FisherKing reflects the mood and/or morality of its ruler.
384	* An IndianBurialGround is haunted by the vengeful spirits of those buried there.
385	* An evil being that has been sealed away in a LeakingCanOfEvil can still affect the area around it.
386
387	!!!ExactWords vs. LoopholeAbuse vs. NotTheIntendedUse
388	* ExactWords is based on how you choose to interpret the specific wording of the instructions given (eg. 'I have brought you the king's head as requested. However, it is still attached to the rest of his body').
389	* LoopholeAbuse is based on spotting gaps between the rules that they didn't think to make a rule for ('You'll never be able to meet your contact if you're under house arrest.' 'What if I invite him round? I won't have to leave.')
390	* NotTheIntendedUse is based on doing something that is perfectly allowed by the rules, but in a way or to achieve a purpose that it was clearly not designed to ('I cast SummonBiggerFish into the space directly above the enemy's head').
391
392	!!!ExaltedTorturer vs. TortureTechnician
393	* An ExaltedTorturer is a TortureTechnician who is [[PayEvilUntoEvil viewed as a heroic law enforcer]].
394	* The TortureTechnician is simply and only a professional torturer, usually treated as nothing more than a PsychoForHire.
395
396	!!!Administrivia/ExampleAsAThesis vs. SelfDemonstratingArticle
397	* These both refer to ways of writing trope pages...and ''neither'' is encouraged.
398	** Administrivia/ExampleAsAThesis is when an article opens with a generic story describing an example of the trope in action, then proceeds with the actual definition second and examples third.
399	** A SelfDemonstratingArticle is written in such a way that it's intended to be an ''example of its own trope''.
400
401	!!!ExaggeratedTrope vs. LogicalExtreme
402	* ExaggeratedTrope plays the trope up to an unrealistic/silly extent.
403	* LogicalExtreme takes the trope up to a high, very dramatic/noticeable extent. However, it's still actually plausible without having to invoke the [[RuleOfIndex Rule Of (Insert Here)]].
404
405	!!!ExcrementStatement vs. PuttingThePeeInPool vs. UrineTrouble
406	* ExcrementStatement is when someone ''deliberately'' poops or pees on someone or something, in order to spite somebody.
407	* PuttingThePeeInPool is when someone, either deliberately or accidentally, relieves themselves in a swimming pool. This can be done with either number one or number two, though as the name suggests, it's usually the former.
408	* UrineTrouble is when an animal, who is not anthropomorphic, or at least [[FurryReminder not fully anthropomorphic]], pees on someone or something they shouldn't. This ''could'' overlap with ExcrementStatement, but usually they're doing it because they don't know any better or they're marking territory.
409
410	!!!ExpansionPackPast vs. MultipleChoicePast vs. MysteriousPast
411	* ExpansionPackPast is when a character has a very complicated, convoluted and improbable backstory, usually due to writers making many {{Flashback}}s to describe his past, and making those as they please.
412	* MultipleChoicePast is when those backstories are so many and so absurd, that they eventually contradict each other, though this can be intentional, hinting the character has a bad memory, is crazy, or is just lying.
413	* MysteriousPast is when information about this character's past is very scarce and vague.
414
415	!!!ExpositoryHairstyleChange vs. GoodHairEvilHair vs. ImportantHaircut
416	* ExpositoryHairstyleChange is when a character's hairstyle/-color or facial hair changes in order to show you (usually subtly) that something is different (usually their personality).
417	* ImportantHaircut is often a subtype in which a character's hair is specifically cut, almost always as a symbolic or otherwise important act. This may or may not be expository.
418	* GoodHairEvilHair is a subtype in which the change indicates a HeelFaceTurn or FaceHeelTurn.
419
420	!!!ExpositoryGameplayLimitation vs. InjuredPlayerCharacterStage
421	* ExpositoryGameplayLimitation is when the player's abilities in a video game are significantly but temporarily curtailed in order to better focus the player's attention on narrative exposition.
422	* InjuredPlayerCharacterStage is when the player's abilities in a video game are significantly but temporarily curtailed because the player character was injured or damaged as part of the game's storyline.
423
424	!!!ExpospeakGag vs. LaymansTerms
425	* An ExpospeakGag is about complex ways of expressing simple concepts.
426	* LaymansTerms is about attempts to simplify complex statements or concepts.
427	[[/folder]]
428
429	[[folder:F]]
430	!!!FaceHeelTurn vs. ProtagonistJourneyToVillain vs. StartOfDarkness
431	* FaceHeelTurn is when a good guy turns evil over the course of the story.
432	* ProtagonistJourneyToVillain is when the main protagonist turns evil.
433	* StartOfDarkness is the exact moment a character becomes a villain.
434
435	!!!FailedAttemptAtDrama vs. {{Narm}}
436	* A FailedAttemptAtDrama is a failed attempt by a ''character'' to be dramatic; the failure is often noted by other characters, or shown to be a failure by subsequent events.
437	* {{Narm}} is a failed attempt by creators to make a moment serious for the audience; it has any number of causes, including [[WritingPitfallIndex bad writing]], [[LargeHam bad]] (or [[DullSurprise not enough]]) acting, and/or [[SpecialEffectsFailure bad special effects]]. Narm is often ''not'' noted by characters; they take the moment perfectly seriously.
438
439	!!!FailureHero vs. InvincibleHero vs. ShowyInvincibleHero
440	* A FailureHero is a character who ''never'' accomplishes his/her goals, whether through personal failures or other elements of the story seemingly conspiring to foil the character.
441	* An InvincibleHero is a character who always accomplishes his/her goals with relative ease, to the point that it's impossible to build drama around the character.
442	* A ShowyInvincibleHero is one whose exploits are built around RuleOfCool, and the point of the work is to show this in full effect.
443
444	!!!FakeHigh vs. MistakenForJunkie vs. PlayingDrunk
445	* FakeHigh is where a character thinks they are drunk or high when they really aren't.
446	* MistakenForJunkie is when somebody else thinks a character is drunk, high, or a habitual drug user when they really aren't.
447	* PlayingDrunk is when a character pretends to be drunk or high when they really aren't.
448
449	!!!FakeNationality vs. {{Fauxreigner}}
450	* FakeNationality (and its subtropes like FakeBrit) is about an ''actor'' playing a character from a country they're not really from; the character within the story is intended to be from the stated country.
451	* {{Fauxreigner}} is a ''character'' who's stated within the work to be pretending to be from a different country than the one they're currently in, usually to hide their true personality or motives.
452
453	!!!FakeShemp vs. TheNthDoctor vs. TheOtherDarrin vs. TheOtherMarty vs. SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute
454	* When an actor is replaced by another actor playing the same character, with no explanation provided for the switch, it's TheOtherDarrin.
455	* When there is an attempt to conceal the switch (e.g. not showing the substitute's face, splicing in stock footage) it's a FakeShemp.
456	* When the change in actors is explained InUniverse, though AppliedPhlebotinum or MagicPlasticSurgery, it's TheNthDoctor.
457	* If the actor is replaced before the film is finished, and all or most of their scenes are reshot so they don't appear in the final product, its TheOtherMarty.
458	* If the replacement is technically a different character but is written pretty much with the same role, you have a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute. (If people ''hate'' the new version, it's a ReplacementScrappy.)
459
460	!!!FakeUltimateHero vs. MilesGloriosus vs. EngineeredHeroics
461	* The FakeUltimateHero is anyone who gets credit for at least one heroic act which they did not do.
462	* The MilesGloriosus is a FakeUltimateHero who ''actively claims'' credit for lots of heroic behavior, but when put to the test is always a DirtyCoward.
463	* EngineeredHeroics is when this character goes further by causing the disasters, problems and fake crimes in the first place so he can solve them and get the fame.
464
465	!!!TheFamilyForTheWholeFamily vs. HarmlessVillain vs. MinionWithAnFInEvil vs. NeighborhoodFriendlyGangsters vs. StupidCrooks
466	* TheFamilyForTheWholeFamily are gangsters that are really incompetent, so that gangster tropes can be used (or parodied) in a family-friendly work without anyone getting seriously hurt.
467	* The HarmlessVillain sees themself as a true bad guy, but their 'evil deeds' are so small and trivial that no-one's seriously at risk from them.
468	* The MinionWithAnFInEvil is a bad guy underling who doesn't really have malevolence in them. They'll follow the bad guy's orders, but they're not really into the 'hurting people and breaking things' aspect of it.
469	* NeighborhoodFriendlyGangsters can and do pull serious crimes off, but refrain from harming their home neighborhood or even try to protect or improve it.
470	* StupidCrooks are incompetent criminals that are easily outsmarted by investigators or potential targets; ''unlike'' TheFamilyForTheWholeFamily, they do sometimes appear in mature works and can kill or maim people, even if they're such bungling idiots they get caught right away.
471
472	!!!FamilyValuesVillain vs. StraightEdgeEvil
473	* FamilyValuesVillain is about a villain whose actual motivation is enforcing a rigid sense of "family values" onto others; they're commonly a very religious person and a HeteronormativeCrusader.
474	* StraightEdgeEvil is about a villain who lacks vices personally, with an emphasis on [[TheTeetotaler avoiding alcohol and drugs]]. However, they may ''not'' be interested in enforcing their abstinence on others; it may be a quirk while their reason for villainy is different.
475
476	!!!FamilyVersusCareer vs. NeverASelfMadeWoman
477	* In FamilyVersusCareer, a woman with a family and a career is forced to choose between the two, usually in favor of the former and with the implication that that is what a woman should choose.
478	* In NeverASelfMadeWoman, whether or not a woman gives up her career is unimportant. This trope is about female characters always being less important than their lovers, brothers and fathers, and how women as a whole are unable to achieve anything of worth without the help of a man, except homemaking.
479
480	!!!FamousAncestor vs. HistoricalCharactersFictionalRelative vs. HistoryWithCelebrity
481	* When a character has a FamousAncestor, the ancestor has to be famous InUniverse, but can be a fictional character themselves.
482	* HistoricalCharactersFictionalRelative has to be a relative of a person who really did/does exist in our world (but ''not'' only a descendant; the characters can be alive at the same time.)
483	* In HistoryWithCelebrity a character knows, but is ''not'' necessarily related to, a celebrity who appears on the show ''AsHimself'' (or is mentioned as himself). It's the difference between Bill Murray playing Bob's old roommate Joe Schmo, and Bob's old roommate ''being'' Bill Murray.
484
485	!!!FanDislikedExplanation vs. TheUnreveal vs. VoodooShark
486	* A FanDislikedExplanation is a plot point that has an explanation that no one in the fandom buys and/or likes. WildMassGuessing ensues.
487	* TheUnreveal is a plot point that the story suggests will be explained, but never is.
488	* A VoodooShark is an explanation to a plot point that only generates more questions, or an attempt to fix a PlotHole that only creates another.
489
490	!!!FanDisservice vs. FetishRetardant
491	* FanDisservice is ''intentionally'' unsexy.
492	* FetishRetardant is intended to be sexy, but fails.
493
494	!!!{{Fanfic}} vs. FanWorks
495	* {{Fanfic}} is specifically that subset of FanWorks which is based primarily in text -- in other words, fan works that are also {{Literature}}.
496	* FanWorks are ''all'' works based on an intellectual property owned by someone other than the fan work's author, regardless of medium. For this wiki's purposes, that means derivative works based on something in the PublicDomain don't count -- even if the work's author might disagree with that.
497
498	!!!FantasticAesop vs. SpaceWhaleAesop
499	* The FantasticAesop suggests a fantastic course of action ("don't use black magic to try and resurrect the dead") which can't even be attempted in the real world.
500	* The SpaceWhaleAesop suggests a real, viable course of action ("don't perform nuclear tests") by presenting fantastic consequences ("radiation from the tests will awaken an army of zombies").
501
502	!!!FantasticDrug vs. GRatedDrug vs. ICantBelieveItsNotHeroin
503	* If the drug doesn't exist, it's a FantasticDrug.
504	* If the drug exists, but is a replacement for a stronger drug, it's a GRatedDrug.
505	* If the drug exists, but isn't a drug at all, it's ICantBelieveItsNotHeroin.
506
507	!!!{{Fembot}} vs. RobotGirl
508	* A {{Fembot}} is obviously a robot, but is designed to have female traits like NonMammalMammaries, a head design suggestive of women's hair, and/or a woman's voice.
509	* A RobotGirl looks like a human woman, but is a robot (and is sometimes not revealed to be a robot until later in the series). In a case of ThisIndexIsNotAnExample, the "Fembots" of ''Film/AustinPowers'' are actually this.
510
511	!!!AFeteWorseThanDeath vs. NastyParty
512	* AFeteWorseThanDeath is a town-wide festival or ritual where the celebration revolves around someone being hurt or killed.
513	* A NastyParty is a party held by a private individual as an EvilPlan to kill the people attending.
514
515	!!!FightingClown vs. JokeCharacter vs. LethalJokeCharacter
516	* A FightingClown is a playable character who is thematically sillier than the rest of the game's roster, but just as effective in terms of gameplay.
517	* A JokeCharacter is intentionally meant to be the weakest character in the game.
518	* A LethalJokeCharacter is like a JokeCharacter, except that they can be powerful in certain situations or [[DifficultButAwesome when mastered]].
519
520	!!!{{Filler}} vs. {{Padding}} vs. WackyWaysideTribe
521	* {{Filler}} is taking a MythArc-based series and interweaving additional stories that ultimately do not influence the MythArc. Sometimes, no one ever references the filler material because it was ''that'' unimportant.
522	* {{Padding}} is when the normal story is slowed down to a crawl. No side stories are given but characters might just have a [[ContemplateOurNavels long conversation]] before they actually get anything accomplished.
523	* WackyWaysideTribe is when you are in the midst of the main story when troublesome, unfortunate and unrelated things happen just to give the characters a harder time.
524
525	!!!TheFilmOfTheBook vs. TheMovie vs. TheShowOfTheBooks vs. {{Novelization}}
526	* TheFilmOfTheBook is [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a film adaptation of a book]].
527	* TheMovie is a film spun off from a TV series.
528	* TheShowOfTheBooks is a television series that is an adaptation of a book.
529	* A {{Novelization}} is the reverse of TheFilmOfTheBook: a written adaptation of a film.
530
531	!!!TheFilmOfTheSeries vs. TheMovie vs. NonSerialMovie
532	* TheFilmOfTheSeries uses a different cast and is usually out of continuity, unless it's a years-later sequel.
533	* TheMovie uses the series cast and is in continuity.
534	* A NonSerialMovie uses the series cast but is not in continuity.
535
536	!!!FirstEpisodeTwist vs. ItWasHisSled vs. LateArrivalSpoiler
537	* FirstEpisodeTwist: The twist starts the series and as such is impossible to explain the series without spoiling it.
538	* ItWasHisSled refers to any work which features a twist that was truly shocking when it was first presented, but over time lost its ability to surprise because [[PopculturalOsmosis it gets talked about too much]].
539	* LateArrivalSpoiler is a fandom-specific variety of this in which promotional material for new installments of a franchise give away major plot developments of past installments, assuming that fans are already familiar with them.
540
541	!!!FlashbackBPlot vs. FramingDevice
542	* FlashbackBPlot: A secondary story involving the same character(s) is told in flashbacks alongside the main story, but no one is narrating it.
543	* FramingDevice: The majority of a story takes place within a character's narration which is occasionally paused or interrupted by other characters.
544
545	!!!FlatlinePlotline vs. RevivalLoophole
546	* A FlatlinePlotline is about people briefly "dying" so they can experience death.
547	* The RevivalLoophole occurs when people briefly "die" to fulfill some condition that would otherwise require an actual death.
548
549	!!!FlipFlopOfGod vs. ShrugOfGod vs. TheWalrusWasPaul vs. WordOfGod
550	* FlipFlopOfGod is when a creator's information about a work contradicts itself. This may or may not be deliberate.
551	* ShrugOfGod is when a creator's information about a work is evasive and/or ambiguous. This can be for a wide variety of reasons.
552	* TheWalrusWasPaul is when a creator gives an intentionally confusing or meaningless answer regarding their work, typically because they don't believe a "correct" answer [[{{Applicability}} does or should exist]].
553	* WordOfGod is information straight from one or more of a work's creators about facets of the work that might not have appeared or been made clear.
554
555	!!!FluffyTheTerrible vs. KillerRabbit
556	* In FluffyTheTerrible a named creature is more intimidating than its name would indicate, usually to [[UnderestimatingBadassery cause a plot point of someone underestimating it because of what its name is]] or to establish its ''namer'' as AdmiringTheAbomination.
557	* KillerRabbit is about any harmless-looking creature that turns out to be dangerous; its name is irrelevant. There are some overlaps, but there are also un-named Killer Rabbits (such as [[Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail the Trope Namer]].
558
559	!!!FlyingDutchman vs. WalkingTheEarth
560	* A FlyingDutchman is where someone is forced to roam aimlessly for the remainder of their time in the world.
561	* WalkingTheEarth is when someone chooses to roam the world with no specific place they view as their home.
562
563	!!!{{Foil}} vs. MirrorCharacter
564	* {{Foil}} characters highlight each other's character traits by ''contrast'' and differences.
565	* {{Mirror Character}}s highlight each other's character traits by ''similarities'' and parallels.
566
567	!!!ForcedTransformation vs. TransformationHorror
568	* ForcedTransformation is when someone/something has been transformed against their will.
569	* TransformationHorror is when someone/something is transforming in a disgusting and/or mentally traumatic way.
570
571	!!!ForgotAboutHisPowers vs. ForgottenPhlebotinum vs. HoldingBackThePhlebotinum vs. ItOnlyWorksOnce
572	* ForgotAboutHisPowers: A standard ability of the character could have been used, but they forgot to.
573	* ForgottenPhlebotinum: They introduced a gimmick in one story, and could have used it later, but they forgot to.
574	* HoldingBackThePhlebotinum: They introduced a gimmick in one story, and could have used it later, but there's some reason why they can't use it.
575	* ItOnlyWorksOnce: They introduced a gimmick in one story, and could have used it later, but they explained that it doesn't work any more.
576
577	!!!ForHalloweenIAmGoingAsMyself vs. YourCostumeNeedsWork
578	* ForHalloweenIAmGoingAsMyself is any occasion where the superhero or paranormal creature can act relatively normal in public.
579	* YourCostumeNeedsWork is when appearing as yourself fails, invoking the trope name as a phrase.
580
581	!!!FormallyNamedPet vs. MisterMuffykins
582	* FormallyNamedPet is about the literal name of the pet; it's a pet whose name includes Mister/Miss/another title. The pet can be any species, though is most often a dog or cat.
583	* MisterMuffykins is about the pet's characterization. A MisterMuffykins is a small, pampered, yappy dog that annoys everyone but its owner.
584
585	!!!FortuneTeller vs. PhonyPsychic
586	* A FortuneTeller may or may not have real psychic powers, but either way she makes money by telling fortunes as a form of paid entertainment; you pay her a fee to have your fortune read, regardless of what she tells you. They don't necessarily offer instant solutions or involve themselves in customers' lives for gain.
587	* A PhonyPsychic ''never'' has real powers, and makes their money by actively scamming other people out of theirs with tales about how the psychic powers can find them love, make them rich or solve other problems. Depending on how they approach marks, there may be an overlap with FortuneTeller (e.g. "I see money in your future, but you'll have to come back and pay me again to learn where it is"), but there doesn't have to be.
588
589	!!!FourLinesAllWaiting vs. ThirdLineSomeWaiting vs. TrappedByMountainLions vs. TwoLinesNoWaiting
590	* FourLinesAllWaiting: Several disjoint plots alternate within a single work.
591	* ThirdLineSomeWaiting: Like above, plus a very minor yet distinct plotline that doesn't become important until much later, if at all.
592	* TrappedByMountainLions: Like above, but the additional plotline most definitely has nothing to do with the main plot.
593	* TwoLinesNoWaiting: Several plotlines link together into one major plot.
594	** The respective trope names are in no way indicative of the actual number of plotlines in any given example.
595
596	!!!FourthWallMyopia vs. OpinionMyopia vs. WrongGenreSavvy vs. GenreBlindness
597	* All of these tropes deal with a myopia, and overlap can happen but the circumstances where the behaviour is applied changes in each scenario.
598	** FourthWallMyopia: The audience expects the characters to react as if they're fully aware that they're in a fictional work and they should be aware of how to act in the situations created by the author, or alternatively to act on information that the audience is aware of, but the characters have no way to know just yet.
599	** OpinionMyopia is when someone, usually a certain group or individuals in the audience, seems appalled that people don't hold an opinion that they uphold as a fact, rather than, well an opinion.
600	** WrongGenreSavvy: A character or group of characters try to apply knowledge obtained from fictional works into similar situations they find in their lives, except that as it turns out they are in a different story genre.
601	** GenreBlindness: The character makes ALL the common mistakes that are known in their story genre they're in, despite some of them being common sense.
602
603	!!!FragileSpeedster vs. GlassCannon vs. SquishyWizard vs TheMedic
604	* A FragileSpeedster can't take punishment, but is (supposed to be) fast enough to avoid it.
605	* A GlassCannon can't take punishment, but can dish it out.
606	* A SquishyWizard can't take punishment, but has supernatural powers that gives it attack power and/or utilitarian abilities to help it out.
607	* TheMedic is not geared toward combat, but can heal up the allies who are.
608	** Usually there's overlap, e.g. a SquishyWizard with healing spells would also be TheMedic.
609
610	!!!FranchiseZombie vs. PostScriptSeason vs. {{Uncancelled}}
611	* FranchiseZombie is when the work isn't supposed to have any continuation because the creator intends to stop, and then gets continued anyway, often without the creator's involvement.
612	* PostScriptSeason is when the work has wrapped its MythArc and overarching plot, and yet a new installment of it is made, usually without addressing any of the plot of the previous.
613	* {{Uncancelled}} is when a show is officially cancelled (usually not an intended part of the creator) and then gets continued.
614
615	!!!FrivolousLawsuit vs. HilaritySues
616	* A FrivolousLawsuit is when someone sues for something that, for whatever reason, is viewed as frivolous, like something they caused themselves by being TooDumbToLive, or an "injury" that's too small for the amount they want, or completely unquantifiable.
617	* HilaritySues is more about the comedy of putting superheroes/villains in a mundane court setting by having someone sue them; these suits are ''not'' necessarily frivolous (after all, if the hero and villain [[KungShui bust up your building]] you have real damages), but are juxtaposed with the larger-than-life nature of supers.
618
619	!!!FromNobodyToNightmare vs. MagikarpPower vs. MalignantPlotTumor vs. NotSoHarmlessVillain
620	* FromNobodyToNightmare is when a character, through a series of events/coincidences, goes from being a small, unimportant figure to being extremely powerful and commanding of everyone's fear.
621	* MagikarpPower is when someone/something may be perfectly well-known, but starts off weak, unimpressive and generally useless. However, after putting a lot of work into them, often from other characters, they start becoming a ''lot'' stronger and likely overtake their previous superiors.
622	* MalignantPlotTumor is when a villain is shown early on doing small-scale villainous things, staying out of the limelight. Declaring what all their actions are leading toward is optional. As such, the heroes ignore them for the villain that poses a bigger threat to them at the moment. Then, at the end, the small-timer's plan comes to fruition and then ''they'' are the bigger threat suddenly.
623	* NotSoHarmlessVillain is when a villain is shown early trying to evil but either failing at it or doing it in such a silly way that no-one takes them seriously. Later, though, they show up again and they've got a ''lot'' better at their job.
624
625	!!!FullCircleRevolution vs. MeetTheNewBoss
626	* FullCircleRevolution is when a coup or revolutionary unit succeeds in overthrowing a hated despot, and then mutates into being exactly the same as the thing they were trying to destroy.
627	* MeetTheNewBoss is when a new villain is introduced to the show who is a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute of an old villain of the same show.
628
629	!!!FullCircleRevolution vs. ReignOfTerror
630	* Both deal with revolutions against an established government.
631	** ReignOfTerror is when, after a revolution occurs, the new regime becomes tyrannical and bloodthirsty.
632	** A FullCircleRevolution is when a revolution replicates the conditions that incited the revolution in the first place.
633
634	!!!FunbagAirbag vs. MarshmallowHell vs. ThanksForTheMammary
635	* FunbagAirbag is an accidental collision between a well-endowed woman and someone else, which often ends up with the other character's head smushed between the woman's boobs or a noticeable rebound effect.
636	* MarshmallowHell is when a well-endowed woman hugs another person and (un)intentionally smushes their head between her boobs.
637	* ThanksForTheMammary is when someone accidentally gropes or touches a woman's breasts, not necessarily involving their head.
638
639	!!!FunctionalGenreSavvy vs. GenreSavvy vs. MediumAwareness vs. WrongGenreSavvy
640	* A FunctionalGenreSavvy character is just GenreSavvy enough to accept the story premise.
641	* A GenreSavvy character notices story conventions but otherwise doesn't break the FourthWall.
642	* MediumAwareness is when a character notices the mechanics of the medium the story is told in and can directly break the FourthWall.
643	* A WrongGenreSavvy character accepts the ''wrong'' story premise and suffers for it.
644
645	!!!HarsherInHindsight vs. HilariousInHindsight vs. {{Narm}}
646	* HarsherInHindsight is when something originally intended as being funny, lighthearted or heartwarming makes people uncomfortable when seen in reruns or looked back upon, because of tragic later events in the series or in [[RealitySubtext real life]], or alternatively, when later events cause a scene that was already dark and disturbing to become even more so.
647	* HilariousInHindsight is when later events (in the fiction or in real life) cause a scene to be even funnier than it previously was.
648	* {{Narm}} is when a scene that wasn't intended to be funny ends up being perceived that way for whatever reason.
649	[[/folder]]
650

Context TropeDistinctions / DToF