Misused: Twin Switch

Well, it's "misused" only technically, because according to its description, the situation in question must be a Two-Timer Date.

What I propose is very simple: rewrite that first paragraph to eliminate that requirement. It's already not limited that way, even on its own page.

Any objections or more detailed thoughts?

This doesn't really need TRS. Just go to the description cleanup thread in Long Term Projects, or rewrite it. You have my blessing.

Seriously? This is pretty much a wholesale redefinition I was proposing. That doesn't need TRS?!

Well, we can solicit opinions, but that's mine. This doesn't look like a redefinition, just a fixing of the definition to match the usage.

Changing a trope definition to match with its usage is a redfinition, since the definition, not the use, is - well, the definition.

Anyhoo, I'll throw my headband of support into this.

I'll toss Jigen's fedora in for support as well.

There's not much to discuss. The name supports a broader use, the usage matches the broader use, and the Wrestling definition is very narrow in comparison (would it really even need identical twins to pull off, or just a tag-team?).

This is a dating trope, not a tag team fighting trope. I think you got this mixed up with another thread/trope.

edited 9th May '14 2:46:49 PM by Catbert

Kinda... but I'm definitely confused and need to reread the difference.

This trope bothers me verily. This, I think, is a better description:

A popular plot where a set of twins trades places, or pretends to be each other. This can be to fulfill the other twin's responsibilities, such as a test or a date, or to experience the other twin's life in a Grass is Greener moment.

The advantage in having a twin is that one can pretend to be the other twin because of their similar or identical appearance. The disadvantage to all this, however, is that the twins in question are usually Polar Opposite Twins — the wild one must pose as the book learner to successfully fool a boyfriend on a date, or the book learner has to be a party animal to fool their friends for example.

When this situation occurs, especially in a series, An Aesop almost invariably follows. It's almost always the same Aesop every time: the twins learn that each others' lives both have their ups and downs.

One should note that in real life it is likely much less easy for twins to pull this off. They don't always have the same hairstyle, body weight, or voice.

See also Tag Team Twins for a different type of Twin Switch.

Be careful, there might be spoilers both marked and unmarked.

edited 9th May '14 5:43:04 PM by Lakija

That is a much better description, IMO.

Aye, that is a good description.

I think the description should also mention Identical Stranger. The Prince and the Pauper and similar stories involve person switch as well.

Some small changes:

A popular plot where a set of twins or identical acquaintances trades places, or pretends to be each other. This can be to fulfill the other's responsibilities, such as a test or a date, or to experience their life in a Grass is Greener moment.

The advantage in having a twin — or a doppelgänger — is that one can pretend to be the other because of their similar or identical appearance. The disadvantage to all this, however, is that the twins in question are usually Polar Opposite Twins — the wild one must pose as the book learner to successfully fool a boyfriend on a date, or the book learner has to be a party animal to fool their friends for example.

When this situation occurs, especially in a series, An Aesop almost invariably follows. It's almost always the same Aesop every time: the twins learn that each others' lives both have their ups and downs.

One should note that in real life it is likely much less easy for twins to pull this off. They don't always have the same hairstyle, body weight, or voice.

See also Tag Team Twins for a different type of Twin Switch.

REMOVED: Be careful: there might be spoilers, both marked and unmarked.

edited 27th May '14 10:23:44 AM by Lakija

Don't put in a spoiler warning. That's just silly. We don't need to spoiler warning every possible trope.

Anything else needed here?

Other than integrating The Prince And The Pauper in somehow, I think that's a good rewrite.

I agree with the rewrite as well, though I'd add that Trickster Twins (assuming they're identical twins, of course) also tend to make use of this trope to have fun at other people's expense, usually with no deeper motive behind the act.

Anything else left to do?

edited 2nd Jun '14 5:18:42 AM by MarqFJA

I agree, no spoiler warning necessary, the vast majority of the examples aren't used to deceive the reader/viewer.

I also like Lakija's write-up and I think it should/could be swapped soon.

Only I would mention The Prince and the Pauper directly because I think it's the most famous case of Twin Switch with Identical Strangers.

edited 23rd Jun '14 9:00:57 PM by XFllo

This trope requires twins, The Prince and the Pauper does not use twins so it is not an example.

Swapping descriptions shortly. Due to the redefinition of the trope, the current image is no longer an example, so Keep Until Better Image Suggested shouldn't apply and the image should be cut when the inevitable Image Pickin' thread starts.

Using the trope with Identical Stranger is fine. Tropes Are Flexible

edited 24th Jun '14 4:40:34 AM by theAdeptrogue

I think so too. However, this TRS discussion is a good opportunity to discuss things and we could either define it as strictly for identical twins or allow it for identical.looking strangers.

Personally, I think it would be too narrow if we restricted this trope for twins only.

edited 25th Jun '14 3:39:12 AM by XFllo

I've also seen it used for clones, which I think works fine.

As currently defined, it's twins only... maybe all of you are right and changing it would be a good idea.

I don't see a reason not to allow Identical Stranger examples. At its heart, the trope is about the switch, not about the actual identities of the ones trading places.