Trope Distinctions/S-U

Part 7 of the Canonical List of Subtle Trope Distinctions. Items are sorted alphabetically by whichever trope is alphabetically first; if you're looking for one in specific, use the "Find" or "Search" function of your Web browser.

The Scrappy vs. Creator's Pet vs. X-Pac Heat

The Scrappy is the character much of the fandom hates.
Creator's Pet is the character much of the fandom hates but the creators like.
With X-Pac Heat, it's not the wrestler no one likes, it's the performer.

Self-Demonstrating Article v. Example as a Thesis

Self-Demonstrating Article is when the entire article is written as though it were an example of a trope.
Example as a Thesis starts with a hypothetical example of a trope, and then the rest is a standard description.

Senseless Sacrifice vs. Stupid Sacrifice

A Senseless Sacrifice is one that turns out to have been in vain. Often, it legitimately seemed like a good idea at the time.
A Stupid Sacrifice is when Fridge Logic sets in on a normal Heroic Sacrifice, and fans notice that there was another logical option that didn't involve the hero killing himself. Usually, the Stupid Sacrifice does achieve its goal; it's just rather ineffecient about it.

Shirtless Scene vs. Walking Shirtless Scene

A Shirtless Scene is when a character takes off his shirt for Fan Service
A Walking Shirtless Scene is a character who doesn't wear a shirt (or always leaves it open) as part of their regular costume

Sorting Algorithm of Deadness vs. Sorting Algorithm of Mortality

Sorting Algorithm of Mortality tells how likely it is that a character will be killed in the series they're in.
Sorting Algorithm of Deadness tells how likely it is that that character will come Back From the Dead.

Spider Sense vs. Super Reflexes vs. Super Speed

Spider Sense is a Psychic Power that allows a character to know when something is about to happen, even if they cannot normally detect it.
Super Reflexes allows a character to detect and react to something faster than a normal person could.
Super Speed is the ability of a character to move at incredibly fast speeds; Super Reflexes are often a Required Secondary Power.

Subverted Kids Show vs. What Do You Mean It's Not for Kids?

Subverted Kids Show features flagrantly adult themes coupled with adorable characters who look as if they're from a show aimed at kindergarteners but clearly aren't. Graphic violence and sex are to be expected.
What Do You Mean It's Not for Kids? will feature adult themes, but under a heavy shadow of innuendo so people who don't know what to listen for will miss it. Aside from the occasional one-liner or long-term plot implications that only set it when the viewer thinks about it, is largely indistinguishable from "normal" kid's show.

Suicide Attack vs. Taking You with Me

Suicide Attack involves someone detonating themselves or a vehicle in a suicidal attack, which can be premeditated.
Taking You with Me involves someone who knows they are going down deciding to try and take their opponent with them.

Tragic Monster vs. Staking the Loved One

Staking the Loved One Is when a character is turned into a monster, and their loved one is forced to kill them. Staking the Loved One requires a Tragic Monster, but not all Tragic Monsters are Staked By The Loved One.
Tragic Monster Is when a character is turned into a tragic monster.

Totally Radical vs. Buffy-Speak

Totally Radical is a genuine attempt by the writers (or a character) to use modern (or period) slang, but comes off as fake because it is from the wrong period, or otherwise misused.
Buffy-Speak is a writer avoiding the first trope by using made-up speech patterns that sound plausible but aren't an actual attempt to use Real Life slang.

Trope Codifier vs. Trope Maker vs. Trope Namer vs. Ur Example

The Ur Example is the first example of a trope.
The Trope Maker is the first well known and intentional use of the trope.
The Trope Codifier provides the template for all later uses of the trope.
The Trope Namer provides the name of the trope on this Wiki. Usually a well-known case, but sometimes it's unrelated to the actual trope; the name just fit best.
- Note that any and all of these may overlap, but are sometimes entirely different; for example, Edgar Allan Poe invented the Detective Story, but Sherlock Holmes is the template everyone goes to when discussing such stories; however, Hamlet may be considered the Ur Example of the mystery detective, though, as he behaves exactly like a mystery detective in the early acts of his play.

Unexpected Successor vs. You Are in Command Now

Unexpected Successor deals with people unexpectedly receiving political office or nobility, where the ascension is usually permanent and almost always the result of a single disastrous event or unscrupulous individual.
You Are in Command Now deals with military rank, where the ascension is usually temporary and sometimes occurs as the result of several coincidental deaths or removals.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong? vs. The Stock Phrase of the Same Name

What Could Possibly Go Wrong? is about an obvious potential catastrophe that is said to be unlikely to happen, and thus very likely to actually happen. It's said sarcastically by the audience or Genre Savvy character.
The stock phrase "What could possibly go wrong?" is usually said genuinely by an unsuspecting victim with A Simple Plan.