Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever is generally about something growing to an enormous size that has to be dealt with. Make My Monster Grow is when a villain or a henchman grows to an enormous size to fight the heroes, often in a climactic confrontation.
Edited by Willbyr
Dominance Through Furniture vs. Human Doorstop. In both cases a character (usually a human-being) is used as if they were, well, furniture.
In my edit in The Fairly Oddparents episode "Power Pals", I wrote that "Human Doorstop is Played for Laughs as a quick gag, whereas Dominance Through Furniture is about showing power". That's what I have understood. Are there other differences I could be missing?
Adora, the High Priestess
Just wondering what's the difference between No Body Left Behind and Not Enough to Bury? They both indicate that the dead person left nothing behind.
"I just need one of you to come here to give your life to the sun god. It will be for the monkey city's glory." Hide / Show Replies
No Body Left Behind is when someone's body fades away and disappears after they die. Not Enough to Bury is when someone dies really violently and bits and pieces of their body is all that's left.
Could someone do Another Side, Another Story vs Arbitrarily Serialized Simultaneous Adventures vs P.O.V. Sequel vs "Rashomon"-Style vs Synchronous Episodes vs any other tropes in this "multiple perspective storytelling" sort of area I'm not aware of?
Hide / Show Replies
Misplaced Accent vs Unexplained Accent? I think the idea's supposed to be that Misplaced is 'That's a real region in the setting, but it's the wrong one' and Unexplained is supposed to be 'That's not even a thing in this setting'. The examples on the two pages, though, just look like the same trope with different names. Am I missing something?
Blind Stargazer
And the Rest vs. My Friends... and Zoidberg vs. Snub by Omission
- And the Rest is when one or more characters are specifically mentioned, but others are lumped into an offhand "...and everyone else".
- My Friends... and Zoidberg is when a group is mentioned, then a character is mentioned separately—implying that they're not part of the group.
- Snub by Omission is when some characters are mentioned, but someone is conspicuously left out.
I recently removed literally hundreds of non-examples from the My Friends... and Zoidberg page, and most were one of these other two tropes. (Not counting the ones that were "group contains one thing that happens to differ from others in some irrelevant way", which isn't a trope.)
They're very similar; the difference is that The Vamp is more obviously villainous and is more about corrupting the hero.
They're distinct tropes despite their similar concept; have you read their pages?
I could be wrong, but Phenotype Stereotype is the tendency for ethnic groups or people from outside nations to be depicted as fitting certain stereotypes held about them by the country/people doing the depicting, while Facial Profiling is the tendency for people from certain races/ethnic groups/nationalities to be depicted with specific facial features. I think the latter is a subtrope or Sister Trope of the former, but don't quote me on that.
The former is about being starved for affection to the point that it negatively affects your psyche, the latter is about longing for love and has a different feel altogether.
Latter has more destruction and isn't an Ending Trope.
Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
Hello. I'd like to request a distinction between He-Man Woman Hater and Straw Misogynist, I've read the descriptions of both (A man who hates women), but aside of that, I don't see any difference. Thanks.
There is a solution for everything, but death. Nothing is Impossible. Hit your fears, never the body of a woman. Hide / Show Replies
Look at the Laconics. The one for the latter is "Extreme chauvinist who hates women, existing as a contrast.", instead of just the "A misogynistic man." of the former.
The latter also mentions the former in its description.
But, if you feel that they're too similar, ask on Trope Talk, and call for a repair if you can come up with a good argument.
Disambig Needed: Help with those issues! tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13324299140A37493800&page=24#comment-576
Requesting a distinction between Jaded Washout, Loser Protagonist and This Loser Is You.
My Namesakes
We need one for the difference between a Psychotic Smirk and a Slasher Smile
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass." Hide / Show Replies
We also need one for Boring Invincible Hero, Showy Invincible Hero, and Boring Failure Hero. I also think we need to subdivide the CLOST Ds into letters.
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass."
Yes, Thank you.
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass."
Need one for La Résistance, The Federation, and The Alliance. I also must say that you are very knowledgeable on tropes Willbyr
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass."
Thanks; it's usually just a matter of figuring out the heart of the tropes. Got the latest request done, threw in The Empire for good measure.
Need on for Cold-Blooded Torture, Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, Torture Always Works, and Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique.
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass."
Thanks. Oh, could you add Gene Hunt Interrogation Technique to the above mentioned torture tropes?
"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass."
To the example that has Ax-Crazy, Blood Knight, and Psycho for Hire; I request that Boisterous Bruiser, Combat Sadomasochist, Colonel Kilgore, and Sociopathic Soldier be added.
I apologize if this seems like alot, but these tropes all fall under the catagory of "people who enjoy violence/fighting" and are often confused.
Edited by Kersey475 "Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass."
Or if the above would take too long, we need on for Big Brother Instinct, Friend to All Children, and Knight Templar Big Brother.
Also, Died in Your Arms Tonight and Pietà Plagiarism.
Tropers, I think we broke Willbyr.
Edited by Kersey475 "Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass."
Both pages says that overlap is possible, but what is the actual difference between a Plot Hole and a Retcon? To my understanding a Retcon is when a tidbit of information previously given ends up scrapped or rewritten to accomadate the plot, whereas a plot hole it's literally just that: a logical fault in a story that remains unexplained or even adressed.
But the main page descriptions of both feel way too similar, and I don't understand how the paragraph about Retcon, being more about fanon makes sense since in order for something to qualify as a retcon, shouldn't it have been stated previously in canon?
Edited by RoseBride
Sorry, but isn't it needed that we have a entry for the Freudian Excuse trope, since people keep misusing it or confusing it with almost any troubled backstory out there (Startof Darkness, Abusive Parents, almost all the Woobie tropes...etc.)
Hide / Show Replies
Yes, it is desperately needed.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
I think the main difference is that the first one is basically a threat disguised as an offer (you can't deny it or else...) while the second is a (sort of) genuine offer or request that but it ends up benefitting just one of the parties.
There's an entry for Arson, Murder, and Lifesaving vs. Chew-Out Fake-Out... could someone please add I Have Just One Thing to Say to that? I cannot see any difference between I Have Just One Thing to Say and Arson, Murder, and Lifesaving, so if someone could clarify that, that would be awesome. Thank you.
Hide / Show Replies
...And Steven!
Cannot Tell Fiction from Reality vs. Daydream Believer?
My name is Susan.I was The Thnikkaman, but then my cookies were borked and I forgot my password. Hide / Show Replies
I think the difference is that the former is about people who don't understand the difference, while the latter does know and just thinks that some daydreams are real.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Is there a specific person or group of people who add to this page, or can anyone? I'm assuming it's the former because this strikes me as the kind of page that could grow out of control if not tightly reigned.
Having said that, I believe we need to add Cutaway Gag vs Gilligan Cut. They're distinct enough in my mind, but I've seen examples of one listed as the other, so an entry here may be in order.
Hide / Show Replies
Adding here is a free action, but if you aren't sure, you should ask on Trope Talk.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Is there a difference between Bare-Fisted Monk and Good Old Fisticuffs and what is/n't it?
Hide / Show Replies
As I understand them, Bare-Fisted Monk is when a character is really, really good at barehand fighting and can take on and defeat armed melee fighters. Good Old Fisticuffs is when someone with no martial arts or fighting training beats the crap out of skilled opponent(s) just by throwing punches...it's essentially a bar brawler taking on and beating an MMA fighter.
Edited by Willbyr
Parody Failure and Redundant Parody seem to be the same thing. Or is Parody Failure where an aspect mocked in the parody is actually referenced in the actual work and Redundant Parody is where a parody scene is too close to the original scene? Either way, people seem to be using them interchangeably.
I'm also not sure about "Funny Aneurysm" Moment, Harsher in Hindsight and Fridge Horror. I have an example and I'm not exactly sure where it goes but I'm not sure where I'm supposed to ask. The message board?
Edited by Waterlily
I really like this page! It makes me understand the tropes a lot better. However, I can't really tell what the difference is between Getting Crap Past the Radar and Parental Bonus and I notice that it's not here.
Hide / Show Replies
Getting Crap Past the Radar is intended to be noticed by everyone except the censors. Parental Bonus is for the adults.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
What's the difference between I Ate WHAT?! and Masochist's Meal? I'm wondering if a couple of the Kingdom Of Loathing examples on the latter should be moved (the "world's most unappetizing beverage", urinal cake, used beer...) on account of being things that wouldn't normally be considered edible *anyway*.
: The Musical
I'm surprised not to find The Lancer vs. Number Two on these lists. It's not made very clear.
Chair Man
What's the difference of Tsunshun and Inferiority Superiority Complex? They seem similar to me.
MAX POWER KILL JEEEEEEEEWWWWW
You know, it might help clear things up a bit to include either the full relevant Distinction sections or links to the relevant Distinction sections on trope pages (maybe even a Distinctions button at the top of the trope page?).
I realize this would probably be a massive undertaking, but I'm willing to assist.
Jaded Washout (formerly Al Bundy) and I Coulda Been a Contender!?
Edited by johnnye
Is there a clear distinction between No Ending and "What Now?" Ending?
Maybe someone might think of listing the difference between Failure Hero and Failure Knight?
My Namesakes
I think we need one for Cultured Badass, Cultured Warrior, Gentleman and a Scholar, Man of Wealth and Taste, Warrior Poet, and Wicked Cultured if it's not already here.
All these tropes deal with characters who are sophisticated but it's hard to tell the difference at times.
Edited by Kersey475 "Think like a man of action, act like a man of thinking, and don't be a dumbass."
Chair Man
Mook Maker vs Flunky Boss vs Enemy Summoner?
MAX POWER KILL JEEEEEEEEWWWWW
Cerebus Syndrome is when a light series turns dark as it goes on.
Darker and Edgier is a sequel/reboot/alternate continuity that's noticeably darker than its predecessor(s).
For future reference, Willbyr, please add those to the main page. I did it for you this time.
Edited by SomeGuy See you in the discussion pages.
Alrighty...didn't know if people asking for the distinctions on the discussion page automatically meant they needed to be moved to the main.
Grotesque Cute is supposed to be about really cute human characters who are ridiculously psycho.
Killer Rabbit is a cute animal that's also really deadly.
Chair Man
What's the difference between Gratuitous English, Engrish and Japanese Ranguage?
MAX POWER KILL JEEEEEEEEWWWWW Hide / Show Replies
These are the tropes as I understand them:
Japanese Ranguage: Switching L's and R's to mock Asian accents.
Engrish: Translating from another language to English without properly understanding the nuances of grammar and syntax, resulting in awkward, stilted phrasings.
Gratuitous English: Peppering your non-English speech with random English phrases.
Gratuitous English is non-English speakers throwing English loan words into their talking.
"Blind Idiot" Translation (what Engrish redirects to) is just that, a really bad translation.
Japanese Ranguage is when a Japanese speaker tries to say Ls and Rs and doesn't get it right.
What's the difference between The Theme Park Version and Future Imperfect? Maybe add And Man Grew Proud and Anachronism Stew here, too.
ThatOneBoss
What's the difference between First Kiss and Sacred First Kiss?
Kyon: Big Damn Hero: timeline & trailer Hide / Show Replies
It's the cultural importance of the first kiss in Japan that makes the difference...they hold that first kiss in the same regards that Western people usually treat their first sexual encounter, or at least that's how the trope page reads. It's First Kiss Up To Eleven, basically.
The A Father to His Men and Team Dad pages don't actually clarify the difference between these two tropes. Then it should be clarified at least here.
Also need a distinction between Next Sunday A.D. and 20 Minutes into the Future.
Going to add distinctions for Ambiguously Gay, Get Back in the Closet, But Not Too Gay, and Hide Your Lesbians as with the names can be confused.
In my opinion we need a distinction between Early-Bird Cameo and Chekhov's Gunman :)
Some Guy
In regards to the two above topics- I've reviewed those tropes, and can't for the life of me figure out what the difference between them is supposed to be. I've put notices on all those pages' discussion pages requesting clarifications. Pending that, we merge.
For the first one Loves My Alter Ego gets obvious precedence, since it has about three times the wiks of Two-Person Love Triangle, but Ten Little Murder Victims has the exact same wik count as Whack A Mole so I'm not sure what to do there if we can't figure out the differences between them.
Edited by SomeGuy See you in the discussion pages. Hide / Show Replies
If the latter two get merged, I would suggest giving Whack A Mole precedence, since its page is more detailed.
Need a Distinction between Left Hanging and What Happened to the Mouse?.
Do we really need the differences between Funny Foreigner and Amusing Alien spelled out here? Seems pretty obvious.
Is it that people are seeing the Amusing Alien trope first and not realizing that "Alien" does not mean "Foreigner" in this context?
Hide / Show Replies
Morgan Wick: It seems obvious, but the distinction is different than what normally comes to mind. While "Alien" vs. "Foreigner" is part of it, apparently the tropes can overlap and the real distinction is how they're amusing. The point of this page is to keep the examples fitting the tropes instead of drifting to exactly these kinds of expectations, but this may need to be sent to Trope Repair.
Edited by 63.231.32.98
As far as I can tell, the Funny Foreigner occurs when the humour comes directly from being a foreigner, like mangling the language, odd customs, etc... while an Amusing Alien is any foreign character who is amusing in their own right, and not explicitly from being an outsider.
Morgan Wick: Maybe this could be fixed by simply renaming Funny Foreigner to Foreign People Are Funny.
Wave
Should we mention Accidental Murder vs Murder by Mistake? I have seen those mixed up.
Hide / Show Replies
Morgan Wick: What the hell is the difference between Falling For Someone Never Met and Love Before First Sight? (Would post in the latter's Trope Repair thread if I was using my Known account)
Hide / Show Replies
Need a distinction between Ten Little Murder Victims and Whack A Mole.
Requesting a distinction between Loves My Alter Ego and Two-Person Love Triangle.
Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever vs Make My Monster Grow. Both are about giant monsters or what have you, but they are also both described as the monster growing bigger (the act itself).
Am I to understand that the first trope is about doing it to oneself while the second one is about doing it to someone else?
Edited by Jampolo My brother is proof of God's existence, because Satan is clearly real. Hide / Show Replies