Trope Distinctions/S-Z

Part 5 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.

Staged Shooting vs Bait and Switch Gunshot

Staged Shooting: A character is apparently shot or executed, but the entire shooting was staged.
Bait and Switch Gunshot: A gunshot goes off, but the person who gets shot isn't who the audience was led to believe.

Staking the Loved One vs. Tragic Monster

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.

Stalked by the Bell vs. Timed Mission

A Timed Mission is any arbitrary gameplay sequence with an attached timer, that triggers an immediate Game Over if it expires.
Stalked by the Bell doesn't trigger an immediate Game Over if the timer expires, but summons something in-game to harass/punish the player. It may or may not still be possible to complete the level with the added threat(s).
(Both tropes are Video Game exclusive; a timed mission in non-videogame media is simply called a Race Against the Clock.)

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

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 for Kids? is in fact a kids' show despite the presence of things most people believe are inappropriate for children, such as excessive violence or Getting Crap Past the Radar.
What Do You Mean It's Not for Kids? is not a kids' show and makes no claims to be one; however, due to the Animation Age Ghetto people with Public Medium Ignorance believe that it must be intended for children even though its content clearly shows otherwise.
What Do You Mean It's Not for Little Girls? has few or no elements inappropriate for children, specifically little girls, but is not a show intended for little girls because the target demographic is in fact adults. The only thing distinguishing this from an actual kids' show is authorial intent.

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.

That One Puzzle vs Moon Logic Puzzle vs Guide Dang It

That One Puzzle is a puzzle that is uncharacteristically difficult compare to the others. Expect forums to be flooded with "How do I solve X???" threads.
A Moon Logic Puzzle is one that requires Insane Troll Logic to solve, but still makes sense... if only in hindsight.
A Guide Dang It is one where, short of random guessing, the solution cannot reasonably be found without a guide.
- Note that these can overlap: That One Puzzle tends to be a Moon Logic Puzzle more often than not, and some Moon Logic Puzzles may involve Guide Dang It steps. Simple test: you come across a puzzle. If the clues are obvious, but it's still incredibly difficult, it's That One Puzzle. If the clues are given, but have to be interpreted abstractly, it's a Moon Logic Puzzle. If there are no clues at all, or there's no indication it even is a puzzle, it's a Guide Dang It.

Training Accident vs. Unwinnable Training Simulation

Training Accident is when the character think it's a drill, then that it isn't, then finds out it always was. The audience may or may not know; they might guess.
Unwinnable Training Simulation is when the character can't win the scenario but aren't hurt.

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.

Two Lines, No Waiting vs. Third Line, Some Waiting vs. Trapped by Mountain Lions vs. Four Lines, All Waiting

Two Lines, No Waiting: Several plotlines link together into one major plot.
Third Line, Some Waiting: Like above, plus a very minor yet distinct plotline that doesn't become important until much later, if at all.
Trapped by Mountain Lions: Like above, but the additional plotline most definitely has nothing to do with the main plot.
Four Lines, All Waiting: Several disjoint plots alternate within a single work.
- The respective trope names are in no way indicative of the actual number of plotlines in any given example.

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.

Universe Bible vs. Universe Compendium vs. Universe Concordance vs. The Wiki Rule

Universe Bible is an official encyclopedia of a fictional universe, made by the authors for themselves and their co-authors.
Universe Compendium is an official encyclopedia of a fictional universe, made by the authors for the fans.
Universe Concordance is an unofficial encyclopedia of a fictional universe, made by fans for fans.
- The Wiki Rule is the recent trend of Universe Concordances to take form of wikis.

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.