Why is the page called «An Aesop» and not just «Aesop»?
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To distinguish the trope from the person?
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
I think that it’s called that to distinguish it from Aesop, the person.
“I’ll have...uhhhhh”- Patrick Star
I have to admit, I've wondered this for a long time: Why do we have this phrase? The words "moral" (for a story's intended lesson for the reader) and "fable" (a fantastical story meant to convey a moral - precisely what Aesop was known for) and "parable" (the same thing for non-fantastical) already exist. "An Aesop" is LESS clear, since it could mean a moral, a fable, or a parable. You need context to figure out which. It's also redundant, since clearer terms already exist. It seems like a lingual construct as pointless as adding "head of" to quantities of cattle. I'm not trying to agitate for its removal, mind - the term and the article itself are both probably too widely spread to excise. I'm more just looking for justification for the sake of my own peace of mind.
Edited by Venatius Hide / Show Replies
Good question; I've wondered that myself. The main page seems to admit that there's no justification, but no intention of revising it either. The only marginal justification is that "moral" is a loaded term which is used for this, but also for "socially contractual obligation" and "social custum" as well. But its use in the context of fables is pretty clear and established. And "fable" and "parable" are pretty unambiguous.
Edited by NimmerStill
Plus, Aesop is a name. Using the name Aesop instead of Moral really does not sit well with me for some reason. You'd never say "I guess the Socrates of our story is..."
Edited by abomb30
This trope's name has been my personal Berserk Button from the moment I first encountered it for all of the above reasons. I really have no idea why it's so grossly misnamed.
Edited by Kurtulmak
I agree. It's hard to overstate my dissatisfaction with the trope's name. I say we should change it.
Sadly (and incredibly belatedly), in regards to changing it, good luck. It was YEARS ago enough people noticed "Hey, a list of every time a certain type of weapon has appeared in a piece of media of any type isn't really a trope," and brought it to community attention. The result? They're still waffling and discussing the subject in abstract with few if any actual changes achieved as far as I can tell, to this very day. An ultra-prevalent neologism like this one is just not going to go down. There's too much work and too little drive. I'd love to be wrong, but...
it also makes it possible to distinguish among the various subtypes of Aesop.
Regarding the He-Man Aesops: at one point, I was tutoring a young boy who would watch the show before our sessions. When the Aesop came on, that was the point he turned it off. I am fairly sure that he is now either in prison or politics.
Edited by smendler
In the text "In some quarters An Aesop delivered to another character", "An Aesop" is linked right back to this page. It should be unlinked.
Is there any way to edit "Aesops Fables" to "Aesop's Fables" in this article? Thanks in advance!
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It's a broken Custom Title; you need to report it here
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Per TRS
, An Aesop is now a Definition-Only Page
Patiently awaiting the release of Paper Luigi and the Marvelous Compass.