Tweaked the description.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Better.
The Internet misuses, abuses, and overuses everything.
World's Toughest Milkman
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Rename was defeated on the crowner, 6-9, so I don't think a rename is in the cards. ;)
Notably, even if the other characters notice it, it would still be an example, just Lampshaded or Subverted.
![[down]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_down.png "[down]"){kind=icon}
See, I knew someone would ask that! It's great being psychic. 
edited 20th Jun '12 2:13:59 AM by troacctid
Rhymes with "Protracted."
Is having the bad excuse accepted really part of the trope? A lot of the examples it doesn't really happen. See the Lysistrata one for example, or Family Guy.
World's Toughest Milkman
Hmm, good question. Most of the discussion seemed to be focused just on the excuse part. I'm not sure where the "must be accepted" part came from, and I didn't notice it when I voted. (And yes, I upvoted the winning option here.) I'd be inclined to say we don't need that bit—in fact, I might go so far as to say I dislike that bit—but it was in the crowner, so I dunno.
I think that even if we do write it as it has to be accepted, it's rather likely people will write, "Alice attempted this, but failed." Which frankly would still be a way of playing with the trope.
Come to think about it, the only way I can think of this trope being used straight without actually being invoked is if they hope to fool the person, but then the excuse wouldn't really be paper-thin.
Also, they don't need to accept the excuse as legitimate, as long as they let the character leave.
The Internet misuses, abuses, and overuses everything.
Hi
This looks done; locking up.
Crown Description:
Note: These items aren't mutually exclusive. Please exercise judgment.
I don't think it's necessary. I think the main problem with the misuse is going to be solved with the broadening.
The Internet misuses, abuses, and overuses everything.