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Have an idea for a new trope, but don't know for sure if it's a good idea? Did Trope Finder give you similar concepts, but not exactly what you wanted? Are you just looking for a focus to a broader idea?

You've come to the right place!

On this thread, you can share your ideas with the masses before making that TLP draft, so if there's any lingering uncertainty about the validity of your idea or you just want some help pinning down a good idea, ask away and help others out, too!

A related sandbox I need to pitch is the Trope Idea Salvage Yard. If you've an idea but can't personally work on it, you can add it to the yard and let someone else create the draft. Or you can browse it yourself if you need more draft ideas, whether or not you feel they should be mentioned here first.

Got ideas for non-trope pages you need help with? Never fear, the New Page Workshop Thread is here!

With that out of the way: Let's discuss some ideas.

Edited by MacronNotes on Feb 27th 2022 at 1:49:11 PM

Malady (X-Troper)
#5776: Jan 15th 2023 at 9:52:51 PM

Expanding it into more general things like Neck Lift for cats, and other weakpoints?

Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
StalkerGamer That's All, Folks! Since: Dec, 2021 Relationship Status: Love is an open door
#5777: Jan 17th 2023 at 3:40:09 PM

Is there a trope about "Winning isn't Everything Aesop" ? Example: Bob wants to win a race, but in the climax he does not win, but he learned that winning is not the important thing in the race.

selkies TOO serious! from Guess, guess, guess Since: Jan, 2021 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
TOO serious!
#5778: Jan 17th 2023 at 3:55:05 PM

I don't think we have it. The closest thing we have to a trope about victory is Victory Is Boring.

Uncanny Valley Hot Babes in Your Area Are Looking To Know YOU! Click Here to Sign Up for FREE! | Not quite back tbh. Don't expect much.
nw09 Since: Apr, 2018
#5779: Jan 17th 2023 at 5:40:31 PM

We have Noodle Incident for past events that are unexplained, but there's some misuse for past events that are explained yet still left to the viewer's imagination. Anyone think this is a good idea for a trope?

Twiddler (On A Trope Odyssey)
#5780: Jan 17th 2023 at 6:12:38 PM

Can you describe some examples?

DancouMaryuu Wow… *Everything* is depressing! Since: Feb, 2019
Wow… *Everything* is depressing!
#5781: Jan 17th 2023 at 8:18:50 PM

I recently watched this video, which pointed out how a number of theme songs lack lyrics, but still have prominent parts that sound like the cadence of the work's title, or a part of it, as though you could sing the work's title in the theme itself acapella.

It's like Forgotten Theme Tune Lyrics, only the lyrics were never there to begin with.

Some examples from the video:

  • Doctor Who's theme has a beat that sounds like "DOC-tor who, DOC-tor who, DOC-tor who…"
  • Hill Street Blues's theme uses a repeated three-note piano riff that fits the cadence of the show's title.
  • Murder on the Orient Express (1974) has a tune that fits the title's cadence, despite the title being nine syllables long.
  • The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin not only manages to do this with a ten-syllable title, but the song steps down on "Fall" and steps up on "Rise."
  • Dynasty used the cadence behind the title for a three-note fanfare.
  • John Williams is a repeat offender:
    • A prominent three-note piece amongst the fanfare in Superman: The Movie's theme fits "SU-per-MAN".
    • Raiders of the Lost Ark doesn't use the title of the movie itself, but instead uses a four-note cadence tied to "In-di-A-NA"!
    • Like the above, the Harry Potter movies use one that originated in the first film, or rather, Harry Potter and "The SOR-cer-or's STONE."
    • The famous Star Wars theme has its high notes on a two-note fanfare that could overlap with the franchise's title.
  • So too is Jerry Goldsmith:
    • The theme for the Universal Studios logo theme fits "U-ni-VER-SAL! U-ni-VER-SAAAALL!"
    • Star Trek: Voyager closes with a three-note fanfare that fits "Voy-a-ger"
    • The opening credits for Our Man Flint feature a three-note cue that the credits themselves seem to emphasize by revealing each word of the title to each note, like a sort of musical Punctuated! For! Emphasis!.
  • The theme to Gran Hotel prominently features a three-note piano riff that fits the cadence of the show's title, that (like Our Man Flint) punctuates it using lightbulbs turning on with each note.
  • The Sweeney has its titles appear right as the theme launches into a three-note riff that fits the show's title's cadence.

These examples aren't in the video, but I think they fit just as well.

Now, I know there are similarities if not outright overlap with Forgotten Theme Tune Lyrics, and some examples not in the video could just be a coincidence.

With that, I'd like some insight on whether or not this "Title-Based Theme Song Rhythm" trope idea has wings.

Edited by DancouMaryuu on Jan 17th 2023 at 9:39:48 AM

Does anyone else here actually know Fighbird beyond the "Is this a pigeon?" meme?
WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000)
#5782: Jan 18th 2023 at 12:51:45 AM

Is something like "School's Out Celebration" too similar to "Last Day of School" Plot? I'm thinking of the specific scene of kids throwing papers in the air when the bell rings, trashing the hallways, partying, cheering, etc., which can happen in those episodes but is often seen in things like High School Musical 2 and School's Out! The Musical, neither of which are a "Last Day of School" Plot per say (despite the page image and quote).

I could be interpreting things too narrowly, but if so, then "Last Day of School" Plot is really more along the lines of "kids have a last day of school", since School's Out and HSM 2 aren't about the last day of school, it's just how the movies begin.

Edited by WarJay77 on Jan 18th 2023 at 3:52:59 PM

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
NitroIndigo ♀ | Small ripples lead to big waves from West Midlands region, England Since: Jun, 2021 Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
♀ | Small ripples lead to big waves
#5783: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:07:28 AM

The other day, ~Theriocephalus added a Color-Coded Factions example to Timberborn, then immediately removed it because they realised that's not a trope and they were thinking of Color-Coded Armies. Do you think Factions could be a supertrope to that?

amathieu13 Since: Aug, 2013
#5784: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:11:05 AM

[up][up]I think there's something there, but I do think that "celebration" broadly is wrapped up in "Last Day of School" Plot, which the page says can take place over multiple days and involve a myriad of things.

What might work is specifically honing in on the action of tossing papers around and trashing the place without consequence at the end of the school year, as if the vast majority of these kids aren't coming back the in 2.5 months.

(I also think that HSM 2 is somewhat misplaced; outside of the big song and dance number that starts the film, the plot is much more centered on the summer following. The school ending is just the inciting incident, it doesn't run through the entire film. Not dissimilar to the "X Episode" trope issue we've been talking about)

[up]I think those are functionally the same trope and Color Coded Factions is a decent redirect for that page.

Edited by amathieu13 on Jan 18th 2023 at 6:12:59 AM

WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000)
#5785: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:12:37 AM

I mean, yeah, the "throwing papers and trashing the hallway" is what I was talking about exactly.

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
amathieu13 Since: Aug, 2013
#5786: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:13:58 AM

[up]The name should better reflect that narrowness. Like "Schools Out? Trash The Place".

WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000)
#5787: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:16:49 AM

I mean, probably, though I never want names that are that clunky... I'll figure it out.

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
amathieu13 Since: Aug, 2013
#5788: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:18:17 AM

^that was just an example. my overall point is that if you don't keep it narrow in name and def, then I feel like it would be redundant/easily confused with "Last Day of School" Plot. However, you choose to do it is obvs up to you

Edited by amathieu13 on Jan 18th 2023 at 6:19:13 AM

Nen_desharu Nintendo Fanatic Extraordinaire from Greater Smash Bros. Universe or Toronto Since: Aug, 2020 Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Nintendo Fanatic Extraordinaire
#5789: Jan 18th 2023 at 9:16:09 AM

[up]x8 It would obviously be YMMV as it's the audience who adds lyrics to theme tunes that originally don't have them.

The same can be said about the Spanish national anthem, which currently has no official lyrics.

Edited by Nen_desharu on Jan 18th 2023 at 12:16:34 PM

Kirby is awesome.
generation81 Since: Aug, 2021
#5790: Jan 18th 2023 at 9:34:59 AM

I'm not sure if this counts as Cross-Cast Role.. but are there ebnough cases of openely non-binary people cast as cis men or women to count as a trope?

PresidentBrit Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate from Nagel und Hammer Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: I miss my wife, Tails
Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate
#5791: Jan 18th 2023 at 10:12:27 AM

Would there be a valid trope for improvising a piece of religious garb? For example, the page image of Gratuitous Use of the Tallit. The Christian equivalent could be an improvised nun's habit or a clerical collar.

Edited by PresidentBrit on Jan 18th 2023 at 6:12:40 PM

TV Tropes ruined Faust's life
StarSword Captain of USS Bajor from somewhere in deep space Since: Sep, 2011
Captain of USS Bajor
#5792: Jan 18th 2023 at 12:37:23 PM

I had an idea for a trope with the working title of Double Standard: Clothing for when a character (usually a woman) chafes against the clothes they're expected to wear as a person of their gender. Our Nudity Is Different seems like it's supposed to be for societies a viewer would see as exotic, so I think this is an unused concept, but I wanted to pitch it before I went to the effort.

Trust me, I'm an engineer!
mightymewtron Word Up from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Word Up
#5793: Jan 18th 2023 at 12:58:46 PM

Thinking about a trope for when a character's conception is relevant in some way because it usually feels relevant when it comes up in media... unsure if just knowing or seeing a character's conception is really a trope though. The best angle I can think of right now is "Comedic Conception" when a character was conceived in a weird way Played for Laughs. Usually related to Making Love in All the Wrong Places. Bart Simpson conceived on a mini golf course, Geoff from Total Drama conceived on a beach, Marshall and Lily's baby from HIMYM conceived in Barney's bathroom during a hurricane much to his disgust, etc.

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
selkies TOO serious! from Guess, guess, guess Since: Jan, 2021 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
TOO serious!
#5794: Jan 18th 2023 at 1:59:01 PM

[up][up] Do you have examples, so I can understand your idea better?

[up] This sounds like a good tropeable concept. I feel like it has to be exclusive to onscreen childbirth, so the examples don't end up being "X was born in spaceship" kind of ZCE (tho it has the potential to end up this way either case). That said, does it have to be comical? What if the character never makes it to the hospital and conceives in a taxi, and it's Played for Drama? If you go for a general idea of this, Conceiving In Weird Places might be a good name.

Uncanny Valley Hot Babes in Your Area Are Looking To Know YOU! Click Here to Sign Up for FREE! | Not quite back tbh. Don't expect much.
Twiddler (On A Trope Odyssey)
#5795: Jan 18th 2023 at 1:59:06 PM

[up][up][up] The definition seems fine, but I'm not seeing any double standard there. It'd be a double standard if, e.g., a female character is portrayed as sympathetic for chafing against expectations but not a male character. But from your description, it sounds like it can apply to any gender.

[up][up] Sounds viable.

Edited by Twiddler on Jan 18th 2023 at 1:59:18 AM

WarJay77 It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000) from My Writing Cave (Troper Knight) Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
It's NaNo, Bay-beeee! (10,238/50,000)
#5796: Jan 18th 2023 at 2:20:07 PM

[up][up] They're not talking about being born in a weird place. Conception is the, er... thing that happens 9 months before that bit.

Working on: Author Appeal | Sandbox | Troper Wall
mightymewtron Word Up from New New York Since: Oct, 2012 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Word Up
#5797: Jan 18th 2023 at 2:23:30 PM

Yeah, we have a trope for birth in weird places — Born in an Elevator. As for dramatic or just non-comedic examples, I don't have a lot on-hand so I'm leaning into the comedy bit first and then I'll go from there.

Edited by mightymewtron on Jan 18th 2023 at 5:24:09 AM

I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.
StarSword Captain of USS Bajor from somewhere in deep space Since: Sep, 2011
Captain of USS Bajor
#5798: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:19:00 PM

[up][up][up]The Double Standard bit got in there because one of the two examples I have at present is a female sumo wrestler who doesn't like that the regs for women's sumo require her to wear a leotard under her mawashi (the belt and groin strap): she wants to be able to have a match the way male rikishi do, i.e. just the mawashi.

ETA: Now that I think about it, I think a better name might be "Rebelling Against the Dress Code" or something.

Edited by StarSword on Jan 18th 2023 at 8:21:54 AM

Trust me, I'm an engineer!
selkies TOO serious! from Guess, guess, guess Since: Jan, 2021 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
TOO serious!
#5799: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:30:07 PM

[up][up][up] Oh right, I misread/misunderstood. (Happens a lot when I'm hungry). I completely forgot about Born in an Elevator, too.

Uncanny Valley Hot Babes in Your Area Are Looking To Know YOU! Click Here to Sign Up for FREE! | Not quite back tbh. Don't expect much.
nw09 Since: Apr, 2018
#5800: Jan 18th 2023 at 3:44:46 PM

An example of my proposed idea (that was removed from NoodleIncident.Calvin And Hobbes):

  • In a story arc where Calvin and his parents visit the natural history museum, it's mentioned by Calvin's dad that they were banned from the museum for a while because Calvin ran around biting people the last time they visited (presumably pretending to be a dinosaur).


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