Does this really belong under Stock Phrases? Sure, the trope covers the classics like "I have to wash my hair," but it's not specifically about them.
Page was redefined per TRS thread
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard FeynmanWhat's the difference between ironing one's dog and Going to the Store? Is it granting the people in the current scene privacy (Iron) versus getting privacy for oneself (Store)? Is it specific claim being made (which would make Store a subtrope of Iron)? Or is it the relative plausibility (which might even make this The Same But More relative to I Have to Wash My Hair)?
Split?
I parse the transparent-but-possible (like I Have to Wash My Hair and "I remembered I have to call my mom") totally separately from the completely impossible/mixed excuses, like I Need to Go Iron My Dog itself and "I have to go alphabetize my sister!" and so forth.
Hide / Show RepliesAgreed. I feel there's a significant difference between a 'brush-off' line (wash hair) vs. the 'desperate to escape' lines like dog-ironing.
TRS decision to merge I Have to Wash My Hair into this trope