Administrivia / Wick Cleaning Projects

Be sure to check the definition of the page(s), many of these were renamed due to misuse.

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Ambiguous Disorder to Diagnosed by the Audience: 1050 wicks as of 09/19/2023

• Turned from a trope into an Audience Reaction; wicks should either be moved to the work's YMMV page under the new name, or removed entirely if not applicable.

Distressed Damsel to Damsel in Distress: 1144 wicks as of 09/19/2023

Authority Equals Asskicking and Authority Grants Asskicking to Rank Scales with Asskicking and Position of Literal Power: 2828 wicks (with 255 wicks at Authority Grants Asskicking) as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Initially, TRS renamed the trope to Authority Grants Asskicking, but since that name was determined to be inaccurate, it was renamed again to Rank Scales with Asskicking. Originally renamed because "equals" made it unclear which way the causality goes, with examples split between the new name and Position of Literal Power because of two separate reasons why someone with a high rank would be powerful. Examples of characters' power increasing with rank go to Rank Scales with Asskicking, and characters gaining access to power directly associated with positions of authority after gaining said positions go to Position of Literal Power.

Widget Series to Quirky Work: 1274 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

Half-Truth and From a Certain Point of View to Metaphorically True: 343 wicks for Half-Truth and 657 wicks for From a Certain Point of View as of 09/19/2023

WTH, Casting Agency? to Questionable Casting: 970 wicks and 100 wicks for What the Hell, Casting Agency? as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Trope expanded to include cases where the casting was initially received OK but then considered the weak link post release.

Cool Loser to Unconvincingly Unpopular Character: 1048 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Now YMMV, and redefined to refer to characters who are treated as "losers" in-universe but not perceived as such by the audience.

Teens Are Short to Short Teens, Tall Adults: 308 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

Cloning Blues to Clone Angst: 2069 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Trope is supposed to be about when a character feels sad/down/depressed/angsty/etc upon discovering they're a clone. Remove any examples that do not fit that definition.

Spell My Name with an S to Inconsistent Spelling: 8188 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Only allows official and intentional examples. Allows long vowels.

Disabled Love Interest to Tragically Disabled Love Interest: 410 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Redefined to refer to tragically disabled love interests.

Incorruptible Pure Pureness to The Incorruptible: 3406 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Redefined to refer to characters who are portrayed in-universe as untemptable/incorruptible.

Chinese Girl to Anime Chinese Girl: 156 wicks as of 09/19/2023.

Wicks need to either be replaced with the merged trope or cut as misuse.

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Spiritual Adaptation to Spiritual Successor: 1234 wicks as of 09/19/2023

• Most examples can probably be moved as-is, since the merge was done due to to concerns with redundancy, but since Spiritual Successor is YMMV, examples need to stay on YMMV pages (except in the case of In-Universe reactions to a Show Within a Show).

Hilarity Ensues to Played for Laughs: 10135 wicks as of 09/19/2023

What Do You Mean, It Wasn't Made on Drugs? to Quirky Work: 1134 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

Misaimed Marketing to Misaimed Merchandising: 504 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

Guttural Growler to Raspy and Tough: 2182 wicks as of 09/02/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Retooled to refer to where a raspy voice is used to symbolize the character being tough, and make it a unisex trope about the general "raspy=tough" idea.

Genre Adultery to Creator's Oddball: 131 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

Wicks need to be changed to two or more different tropes (with very few exceptions) Most require familiarity with works.

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Toy Ship to Puppy Love: 738 wicks as of 08/07/2023

• Only wicks that directly refer to the fanspeak term should stay. Any In-Universe examples go to Puppy Love, cut examples referring to out-of-universe ships.

Closer to Earth to its subtropes: 902 wicks (with 172 as Voice of Reason) as of 06/05/2023

Hidden Badass to its subtropes: 384 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Might Makes Right to its subtropes: 2035 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Mysterious Woman to its subtropes: 121 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Antagonist Abilities to its subtropes: 263 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Wrath to its subtropes: 158 wicks as of 09/13/2023

Parental Issues to its subtropes: 1586 wicks (with 406 as Mommy Issues and 617 as Daddy Issues) as of 06/05/2023

Gender Reveal to its subtropes: 301 wicks as of 08/07/2023

Power Trio to its subtropes: 2847 wicks as of 08/07/2023

Evil Makeover to its subtropes: 496 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Shapeshifting to its subtropes: 2599 wicks (with 791 as Shapeshifter) as of 06/05/2023

Body Snatcher to its subtropes: 704 wicks as of 09/21/2023

Double Standard to its subtropes: 3364 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Mind Control to its subtropes: 5047 wicks (with 948 as Mind Manipulation) as of 06/05/2023

Bonus Boss to Optional Boss or Superboss: 2100 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• If the optional boss is harder than the game's mandatory bosses, including the Final Boss, move it to Superboss. Otherwise, move it to Optional Boss, or a different Optional Boss subtrope if applicable.

Earthbound to EarthBound (1994) or Earthbound (1983): 803 wicks as of 09/05/2023

• If the example pertains to the 1994 game's series as a whole, you may be better off linking it to Mother.

Bishōnen to Pretty Boy: 3845 wicks (with 970 wicks at Bishounen) as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Examples involving comments that a character is a Pretty Boy should be moved to Pretty Boy. Wicks for Bishōnen are only allowed if they're references to the Anime Fanspeak term. In addition, since Pretty Boy is In-Universe Examples Only, an example must involve another character commenting on the character's appearance; Audience Reactions are not allowed and must be removed. Progress can be tracked at Sandbox.Bishonen Wick Cleaning.

Spiritual Successor to Creator-Driven Successor: 10607 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• If a work that's similar to an older work is known to share a creator with the older work, move it to the Trivia subpage under Creator-Driven Successor. If the two works do not share a creator, and are thought to be similar by fans, it should stay listed under Spiritual Successor; since Spiritual Successor was made YMMV, any examples that stay under Spiritual Successor need to be moved to YMMV pages if they aren't there already (except in the case of In-Universe reactions to a Show Within a Show).

Artistic License – Law to one of its subtropes: 1257 wicks (with 56 wicks at Artistic Licence – Law) as of 06/05/2023

Incredibly Lame Pun to Pun or Lame Pun Reaction: 6550 wicks as of 09/06/2023

• Be sure to prioritize the associated subtropes listed in Pun, if possible.

Plot Induced Stupidity to Forgot About His Powers, Idiot Ball, or Gameplay-Guided Amnesia: 127 wicks as of 06/05/2023

WesternAnimation.Muppet Babies to WesternAnimation.Muppet Babies 1984 or WesternAnimation.Muppet Babies 2018: 155 wicks as of 08/08/2023

Memetic Badass to Shrouded in Myth, Living Legend, Famed in Story, or The Dreaded: 4602 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• In-Universe examples are to be moved to objective tropes (with the possible exception of reactions to a Show Within a Show). Progress is being tracked using the Memetic Badass Wick Cleaning sandbox.

Evil Genius to several other tropes: 4390 wicks (with 443 wicks as The Evil Genius) as of 08/08/2023

• Move any examples that fit any subtropes now that Evil Genius is a supertrope. Progress is being tracked using the Evil Genius Wick Cleaning sandbox.

The Cameo to Crossover Cameo, Continuity Cameo, and Celebrity Cameo: 14655 wicks as of 08/08/2023

• Only those that do not fit any of the subtropes (mostly the listed three, but could also be one of the others listed in the page) can be left as supertrope wicks.

WesternAnimation.Kung Fu Panda to WesternAnimation.Kung Fu Panda 1 and Franchise.Kung Fu Panda: 1091 wicks as of 08/16/2023

WesternAnimation.The Incredibles to WesternAnimation.The Incredibles 1 and Franchise.The Incredibles: 757 wicks as of 08/16/2023

VideoGame.Five Nights At Freddys to Franchise.Five Nights At Freddys or VideoGame.Five Nights At Freddys 1: 1777 wicks as of 08/08/2023

Film.Back To The Future to Franchise.Back To The Future or Film.Back To The Future 1: 225 wicks since 09/20/2023

Film.Jurassic Park to Franchise.Jurassic Park or Film.Jurassic Park 1993: 2171 wicks since 09/17/2023

Film.Gremlins to Franchise.Gremlins or Film.Gremlins 1984: 689 wicks since 07/15/2023

Series.Star Trek to Franchise.Star Trek or Series.Star Trek The Original Series: 89 wicks since 07/15/2023

WesternAnimation.The Powerpuff Girls to Franchise.The Powerpuff Girls, WesternAnimation.The Powerpuff Girls 1998, or WesternAnimation.The Powerpuff Girls 2016: 1657 wicks since 07/15/2023

WesternAnimation.Shrek to Franchise.Shrek or WesternAnimation.Shrek 1: 530 wicks since 08/17/2023

Film.Mission Impossible to Film.Mission Impossible Film Series or Film.Mission Impossible 1996: 335 wicks since 09/20/2023

Film.Transformers to Film.Transformers Film Series or Film.Transformers 2007: 999 wicks since 09/20/2023

Evil Is Sexy to Sexy Villains Chaste Heroes or These Tropes Are Evil And Sexy: 3930 wicks as of 09/02/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Retooled into an objective trope which focuses on the contrast between provocative, sensual, and immodest villains and modest heroes. Index is split off.

Recycled In Space to JustForFun.Recycled In Space or Recycled with a Gimmick: 3248 wicks + 775 wicks for IN SPACE! as of 08/12/2023

• Examples with a stated gimmick added go to Recycled with a Gimmick. For any other cases, namespace to Just for Fun/ if appropriate, remove or rewrite if it's too gratuitous.

Catharsis Factor to Stress-Relieving Gameplay: 3629 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Name is now an Audience Reaction about moments that relieve tension. Current video game-specific definition Trope Transplanted to Stress-Relieving Gameplay. Move examples that fit the video game-specific Audience Reaction accordingly, and leave examples for other types of works under the old name.

VideoGame.Animal Crossing to Franchise.Animal Crossing or VideoGame.Animal Crossing 2001: 1740 wicks as of 08/21/2023

VideoGame.Mega Man to Franchise.Mega Man, VideoGame.Mega Man Classic, or VideoGame.Mega Man 1: 430 wicks as of 8/28/2023

VideoGame.Fire Emblem to Franchise.Fire Emblem or VideoGame.Fire Emblem The Blazing Blade: 770 wicks as of 9/20/2023

VideoGame.Kirby to Franchise.Kirby or VideoGame.Kirbys Dream Land: 565 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.Final Fantasy to Franchise.Final Fantasy or VideoGame.Final Fantasy I: 409 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.Castlevania to Franchise.Castlevania or VideoGame.Castlevania 1986: 229 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.Tekken to Franchise.Tekken or VideoGame.Tekken 1: 1653 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.Metroid to Franchise.Metroid or VideoGame.Metroid 1: 295 wicks as of 9/20/2023

VideoGame.Star Fox to Franchise.Star Fox or VideoGame.Star Fox 1: 984 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.Pokemon to Franchise.Pokemon or VideoGame.Pokemon Red And Blue: 556 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.The King Of Fighters to Franchise.The King Of Fighters, VideoGame.The King Of Fighters 94, or VideoGame.Fatal Fury King Of Fighters: 1900 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.Shin Megami Tensei to Franchise.Shin Megami Tensei or VideoGame.Shin Megami Tensei I: 100 wicks as of 9/20/2023

Film.Pirates Of The Caribbean to Franchise.Pirates Of The Caribbean or Film.Pirates Of The Caribbean The Curse Of The Black Pearl: 77 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.Mass Effect to Franchise.Mass Effect or VideoGame.Mass Effect 1: 630 wicks as of 8/29/2023

VideoGame.Dragon Quest to Franchise.Dragon Quest or VideoGame.Dragon Quest I: 1674 wicks as of 8/30/2023.

Film.Evil Dead to Franchise.Evil Dead, Film.The Evil Dead 1981, or Film.Evil Dead 2013: 60 wicks (with an additional 55 wicks at Film.The Evil Dead) as of 9/8/2023

Film.The Fast And The Furious to Franchise.The Fast And The Furious, Film.The Fast And The Furious 2001, or Film.Fast And Furious: 772 wicks as of 9/13/2023

The trope no longer exists on the site and has been disambiguated between multiple pre-existing tropes. If a wick fits one of those other tropes, move it there. Otherwise, remove it. See also Sandbox.Ambiguity Index Clean Up Project.

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Engrish to several other tropes: 819 wicks as of 09/06/2023

Origin Story to several other tropes: 608 wicks as of 09/20/2023

Comic Relief to several other tropes: 273 wicks as of 09/20/2023

Anything That Moves to several other tropes: 1587 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

Kick The Son Of A Bitch to several other tropes: 3061 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

VideoGame.Sonic The Hedgehog to multiple other pages: 1400 wicks as of 09/18/2023

• Wicks that refer to the series as a whole should be moved to Franchise.Sonic The Hedgehog. Wicks that refer to a specific installment should be moved to VideoGame.Sonic The Hedgehog 1, VideoGame.Sonic The Hedgehog 18 Bit, or VideoGame.Sonic The Hedgehog 2006.

Cameo to The Cameo (or one of its subtropes) or Music.Cameo: 245 wicks as of 08/17/2023

• As to help with cleanup for The Cameo as well, please prioritize one of the subtropes, if possible.

ComicBook.Civil War to several other pages: 538 wicks as of 09/09/2023

Dragon to several other pages: 200 wicks as of 09/09/2023

Drama to several other pages: 82 wicks as of 09/09/2023

The Force to several other pages: 122 wicks as of 09/09/2023

Full Motion Video to several other pages: 220 wicks as of 08/14/2023

The Game to several other pages: 78 wicks (including several redirects) as of 09/21/2023

Gamer Girl to several other pages: 177 wicks as of 08/08/2023

Golden Age to several other pages: 332 wicks as of 09/09/2023

ComicBook.Human Torch to Characters.Invaders Founding Members or Characters.Fantastic Four The Fantastic Four: 157 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Series.Hunter to several other pages: 160 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Creator.Jim Cummings to Creator.Jim Cummings 1952 or Creator.Jim Cummings 1987: 251 wicks as of 09/09/2023

Justified to several other pages: 2201 wicks as of 09/09/2023

VideoGame.The Legend Of Zelda to Franchise.The Legend Of Zelda, VideoGame.The Legend Of Zelda I or WesternAnimation.The Legend Of Zelda 1989: 309 wicks as of 08/08/2023

Level Up to several other pages: 95 wicks as of 08/17/2023

Men In Black to several other pages: 143 wicks as of 08/08/2023

The Messiah to All-Loving Hero or Messianic Archetype: 161 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Mi 5 to Series.Spooks: 152 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Disambiguation page currently only has one link; other was probably meant to be turned into a Useful Notes page.

Necessary Evil to several other pages: 410 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Opera Gloves to several other pages: 96 wicks as of 09/21/2023

PC to several other pages: 387 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Pv P to several other pages: 174 wicks as of 08/17/2023

Reds With Rockets to Literature.Red Army or UsefulNotes.Reds With Rockets: 96 wicks as of 09/20/2023

WesternAnimation.The Smurfs to WesternAnimation.The Smurfs 1981 or WesternAnimation.The Smurfs 2021: 437 wicks as of 09/09/2023

Spoony Bard to several other pages: 283 wicks as of 09/09/2023

Film.Superman to several other pages: 129 wicks as of 09/06/2023

Take That Me to several other pages: 305 wicks as of 09/20/2023

Take That Us to several other tropes: 328 wicks as of 08/08/2023

Virtual Reality to several other pages: 179 wicks as of 06/05/2023

Zapped to several other pages: 350 wicks as of 09/06/2023

Music to several other pages: 443 wicks as of 08/08/2023

Make Me Wanna Shout to several other pages: 2005 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

Film.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Film.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990 or Film.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014: 167 wicks as of 08/08/2023

VideoGame.Sonic Rush Series to VideoGame.Sonic Rush or VideoGame.Sonic Rush Adventure: 222 wicks as of 9/18/2023

For Want of a Nail to several other pages: 8036 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

Most of the wicks need to be removed, save for special cases.

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Unfortunate Implications: 2876 wicks as of 08/08/2023

• Is now Flame Bait, therefore wicks are only allowed on either other Flame Bait pages or descriptions of other tropes to make a comparison to it. On YMMV pages, please first check if another Audience Reaction is more appropriate and move it there if possible. If not, see if the example, if valid and properly cited, is already on the Unfortunate Implications page. If not, please move it there. Invoked and in-universe examples are also allowed on work pages, given if another trope isn't more fitting. Check either the Mistaken for Index or Stereotype index for tropes that might potentially fit the example better. For everything else, delete it. Wick Cleaning for this page is tracked here.

Getting Crap Past The: 1607 wicks as of 09/05/2023

• These are malformed wicks left over from Getting Crap Past the Radar cleanup, so all must be removed, including the notes and markup.

The Hero: 16652 wicks (with 520 wicks at The Heroine) as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Now a supertrope and definition-only page. Move examples that fit a subtrope (listed on Hero Tropes) elsewhere if they fit, and remove ones that don't. While The Hero no longer allows examples itself, references to the term in the text of other examples are fine. Progress can be tracked at The Hero Cleaning

Catchphrase: 20653 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Now an index. Move examples that fit Character Catchphrase accordingly, and for examples that don't, move anything that fits another trope on the index if possible and remove everything else. Any instances in trope descriptions or indices can stay.

The Last of These Is Not Like the Others: 3179 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Now an index at Odd Last Item Index. Move anything that fits another trope on the index if possible and remove everything else.

Wicks need to be checked for misuse

Shared Universe cleanup: 1943 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• This trope is defined as "A fictional universe constructed by multiple writers/creative teams working independently from each other." It is frequently misused as shorthand for any Crossover.

Aristocrats Are Evil cleanup: 3451 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• "Aristocrat" must be shorthand for "evil" to qualify. Zero Context Examples should be moved to the discussion page, and "aversions" should be removed on sight.

Me's a Crowd cleanup: 2569 wicks as of 08/08/2023

• Me's a Crowd is a plot where the main character duplicates themselves. Examples of self-duplication in general should be moved to Self-Duplication.

Implacable Man and The Juggernaut: 4754 (with 114 as Implacable Woman) and 3267 wicks (with 33 as Juggernaut) as of 06/05/2023

• Frequently misused for each other. The Implacable Man is slowed by obstacles but finds a way to deal with them. The Juggernaut goes right through them as though they never existed in the first place.

Those Two Guys: 7505 wicks (with 615 additional as Those Two Girls) as of 06/05/2023

• Trope is defined as a comedic duo serving as a Greek Chorus. Change misuse to one of the Duo Tropes (if it's not already on the page).

Nerd Glasses: 2185 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Examples involving a "nerd" wearing thick, coke-bottle glasses go to Opaque Nerd Glasses. Any other type of glasses can stay.

Suddenly Voiced: 1855 wicks as of 08/08/2023

• Defined as being for a character being voice acted for the first time or voice acting suddenly appearing for a character who can already talk. Any wicks pertaining to The Voiceless or the like finally talking should be moved to Suddenly Speaking.

Action Girl cleanup: 21957 wicks (with 4 as Hot Chick with a Sword) as of 06/05/2023

• Defined specifically as a female character who's strong and action-oriented, but frequently misused as anytime a girl acts badass. See if the misuse fits one of the subtropes, and if not, cut it.

Unfortunate Names: 1664 wicks (with 298 as Unfortunate Name) as of 06/05/2023

• Only applicable when it's pointed out in-universe how embarrassing/poor someone's name is. Entries merely stating someone's name or pointing out the innuendo in someone's name need to be removed.

Always Identical Twins: 1245 wicks (with 53 as Identical Twins) as of 06/05/2023

• Redefined as a Trope in Aggregate, so only examples that aren't played straight or have more than one set of identical twins are valid. If it's just in reference to one set of twins (identical or fraternal), cut it.

Blue Is Heroic: 1632 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• The trope was redefined as a Trope in Aggregate, with blue having to be a consistent, key part of the heroic character's design. All other examples must be removed. See Sandbox.Blue Is Heroic for cleaned namespaces.

People's Republic of Tyranny: 818 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Only applicable to dictatorships that adopt democratic-sounding names to masquerade as democracies. Examples that are about dictatorships without a democratic-sounding name should be moved to The Dictatorship.

Hate Sink: 8737 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• This trope is defined as "Someone (often a villain) who's intended to be hated by the audience." Remove any examples that are already covered by their subtropes, and check examples for any misuse.

Five-Man Band: 2112 wicks as of 08/23/2023

• Only applicable to teams of five characters. Examples should describe the team's dynamic, and should remain as single-bullet examples without supertrope-subtrope sorting. "Roles" like The Leader and The Lancer should be moved if used properly, and cut if they're misused/shoehorned in.

Actually Pretty Funny: 5732 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Only applies if a character finds a joke funny despite previously either being reluctant to admit it and/or denying it was funny, or if the joke they find funny is one that was insulting them. Since the trope is In-Universe Examples Only, only examples from in-universe characters are allowed.

It Was His Sled: 2805 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• The work containing the spoiler in question must be at least five years old, so remove examples from works that were released more recently than that. In addition, examples must cover the Audience Reaction aspect (e.g., Everyone/the community knows this because...) instead of just listing the spoiler in question. Keep track of cleaned wicks in They Were His Wicks.

Knight of Cerebus: 6193 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Only applies to villains whose introduction causes a lasting Tone Shift that makes an initially lighthearted work significantly darker. If the Tone Shift is short-lived or only occurs in scenes featuring the villain, remove the example.

Unintentional Period Piece: 2709 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Examples are only valid if a work is full of things that make the work firmly dated to its era, such as fashion, topical references, societal attitudes, etc.; valid examples on Trivia/ subpages need to be moved to the corresponding YMMV/ subpages due to Unintentional Period Piece being reclassified as an Audience Reaction instead of Trivia. Examples that take place in Present Day without being particularly dated should be moved to the work's main page under Present Day. Examples that revolve entirely about the technology present in the work being dated should be moved within Trivia as an example of Technology Marches On. Works that take place in either an Alternate History or a completely fictional world do not count for either Unintentional Period Piece or Present Day and should be removed. In addition, since this is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages, per What Goes Where on the Wiki.

Role-Ending Misdemeanor: 1131 wicks, not including redirects (with 14 at Role-Ending Misdemeanour) as of 06/05/2023

• While an example can cover either on-set or off-set behavior from a creator, they must have actually lost a role. In addition, at least two weeks must have passed before an example can be valid, so remove any examples that are more recent than that.

Humiliation Conga: 5007 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Only applicable to villains, Jerkasses, and other antagonists for whom humiliating events in quick succession would be cathartic. If the character does not fit into any of those categories, remove the example.

Understatement: 4350 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Has a long history of attracting potholes even after two previous cleanup efforts, and is now In-Universe Examples Only. Any wick which isn't an in-universe example should be removed.

Ship Sinking: 1893 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Only applies to scenes in-universe that are specific to the characters it is sinking, and the work gives some acknowledgement to the possibility of the two being a couple. If the example does not have both criteria, or is a YMMV audience reaction, remove it.

Never Live It Down: 3832 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• A TRS thread decided that Real Life examples are no longer allowed. Therefore, all examples and potholes referring to the actions of real people should be removed. Some examples regarding anything that is not the actions of a fictional character might better fit or merge with examples of Overshadowed by Controversy instead. For music examples and examples related to individuals in mediums such as Stand-Up Comedy and Web Video, it's okay to say a musician or creator won't live it down if and only if it's something explicitly found within the content of their work. It has also been decided that the item will have a six-month waiting period, so remove any examples from moments more recent than that. Also, any examples or potholes made in the context of a character not living it down In-Universe should be moved to Once Done, Never Forgotten.

They Wasted a Perfectly Good Plot: 5903 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• After a TRS thread was inconclusive on how to deal with the item, it was decided that a cleanup thread would be made to help rid it of prevalent misuse. While more specifics can be found in the thread, the general rule of thumb involving examples is that they should focus solely on screentime and exposure, not execution, and they shouldn't pitch or speculate on any hypothetical plot threads that do not exist in the work.

Ambiguously Brown: 3951 wicks as of 09/02/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Remove Real Life examples, characters that have a defined but fictional race, and examples that are just "actor has brown skin."

May–December Romance: 2807 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• This trope is specifically for when the age gap between a couple is large, usually due to an elderly person being in a relationship with a younger person. Examples involving smaller age gaps belong under Age-Gap Romance.

Dead Artists Are Better: 375 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• If an example is in-universe, leave it under Dead Artists Are Better. If it involves real life opinions about real life creators, move it to Posthumous Popularity Potential, which is YMMV.

Solo-Character Run: 111 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Since this is a YMMV subtrope of Self-Imposed Challenge, which itself is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages (including both works' YMMV subpages and the pages for other YMMV items). However, if a limited amount of playable characters is imposed by a game mode instead of being a Self-Imposed Challenge (such as if a level only allows the player to use one character at a time), leave it on the work page and add an [[invoked]] tag to it.

Low-Level Run: 154 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Since this is a YMMV subtrope of Self-Imposed Challenge, which itself is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages (including both works' YMMV subpages and the pages for other YMMV items). However, if a lower level cap is imposed by a game mode instead of being a Self-Imposed Challenge (such as if a harder game mode prevents players from leveling up), leave it on the work page and add an [[invoked]] tag to it.

Minimalist Run: 135 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Since this is a YMMV subtrope of Self-Imposed Challenge, which itself is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages (including both works' YMMV subpages and the pages for other YMMV items). However, if a game mode limits the player's resources (such as reducing inventory space) rather than it being a Self-Imposed Challenge, leave it on the work page and add an [[invoked]] tag to it.

No Casualties Run: 80 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Since this is a YMMV subtrope of Self-Imposed Challenge, which itself is YMMV, examples are only allowed on YMMV pages (including both works' YMMV subpages and the pages for other YMMV items). However, if a game mode limits the amount of casualties rather than it being a Self-Imposed Challenge, leave it on the work page and add an [[invoked]] tag to it.

Old Shame: 4634 wicks as of 09/02/2023

• Has changed from a trivia item to a trope that is In-Universe Examples Only, expanded to be about anything in the past a character is ashamed of. Most examples will likely be moved to Creator Backlash if referring to a creator disliking their own work. If the creator has taken the extra steps to remove the work from circulation because of their backlash (i.e. close to the intended original definition of Old Shame), then it belongs in Bury Your Art. Other examples will better fit Banned Episode, Missing Episode, Costume Backlash, Disowned Adaptation or Distanced from Current Events for trivia examples or I Was Young and Needed the Money and Once Done, Never Forgotten for in-universe examples. Wick Cleaning for this page is tracked here.

Author's Saving Throw: 2172 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• Now Trivia instead of YMMV, and requires Word of God and/or Word of Saint Paul confirmation that the changes were made due to audience complaints. Wicks without Word of God confirmation may better fit Win Back the Crowd, Character Rerailment, Improved Second Attempt, Salvaged Story, We Don't Suck Anymore, or Rescued from the Scrappy Heap instead.

Both Sides Have a Point: 2208 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• The definition was expanded so the two opposing sides can come to an agreement on their own instead of solely if a third party points it out. However, since the trope is In-Universe Examples Only, in-universe acknowledgement must be present in the work in at least one of those two forms instead of audiences coming to that conclusion on their own. Progress is being tracked here.

Plot Hole: 2970 wicks (including 93 at Plot Holes) as of 09/05/2023

• Now a definition-only page. Links to numerous more specific tropes that some wicks could be moved to instead.

Black Sheep: 1971 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• The definition was expanded to include group dynamics other than just families where the character's placement in the group is considered to be unique, strange, or negative in some way. In addition, the type of group this is for is tight-knit groups where membership is a core part of a shared identity, (and, by extension, purpose or values) such as a tightly-knit religious community, or group that has banded together for a common cause, True Companions style), rather than more loosely organized groups such as school classes or corporations. Since not all examples fit the expanded definition, cleanup is being tracked using the Black Sheep Wick Cleaning sandbox.

Would Hit a Girl: 6209 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Remove examples that do no fit the new definition of "A guy that has no problems with violence against women is treated as morally questionable at best or evil at worst in a work's narrative and other characters." Cleanup is being tracked using the Would Clean Wicks sandbox.

Stockholm Syndrome: 1533 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Changed from a trope to a Useful Notes page. The old location now contains a disambiguation page which links both to UsefulNotes.Stockholm Syndrome and the trope A Match Made in Stockholm.

It Will Never Catch On: 1654 wicks as of 06/05/2023

• The trope no longer allows real life examples. Therefore, any examples and potholes that are just about real life instances should either be turned/moved to And You Thought It Would Fail or removed.

Obvious Beta: 1388 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Now a YMMV item, and the definition was broadened so games that are very buggy do not have to be nigh-unplayable. Cleanup is being tracked at Obvious Beta Wick Cleaning.

True Art Is Incomprehensible: 1146 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• IUEO now. Cleanup being tracked at Sandbox.Wick Cleaning Is Incomprehensible.

Villain Has a Point: 4434 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• IUEO now.

The Team: 1266 wicks as of 08/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Retooled to exampleless supertrope for the broad act of grouping characters together to accomplish something. Move examples that fit a subtrope (listed on The Index Team) accordingly.

Hell Is That Noise: 3443 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• IUEO now. Cleanup can be tracked at Sandbox.Hell Is That Wick Cleanup.

I Knew It!: 2453 wicks as of 09/02/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Moved from Trivia to YMMV. Cleanup is being tracked at Sandbox.I Cleaned It. If the use is In-Universe, check if it can be moved to Knew It All Along.

Will They or Won't They?: 2818 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Made Definition-Only. Cleanup is being tracked at Sandbox.Will They Clean Up. However, references to the Fan Speak term within the text of either descriptions or other examples are still allowed. Clean up wicks accordingly, replacing examples with one of the tropes listed on the page if possible.

Tyop on the Cover: 361 wicks as of 07/23/2023

• Not a Trivia item, but was mistakenly placed in the Trivia index for almost exactly one year, so most wicks in the Trivia namespace should be moved back to the main work page. Inline wicks can stay.

Just for Pun: 3692 wicks as of 09/19/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Now moved to JustForFun.Punny Trope Names, so most wicks should be moved to Pun and its subtropes. Exceptions are wicks from other indexes, wicks from trope descriptions, and wicks from other Just for Fun pages.

Dark Magical Girl: 1508 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Limited to only examples that are Shadow Archetypes whose story arc/theming distort, subvert, or twist the ideas of The Power of Love and The Power of Friendship.

Mundane Utility: 7178 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Defined as the use of any special power used for mundane tasks (such as [but not limited to] housework, regardless of whether it's actually efficient or even useful for the task) instead of just superpowers, and expand to include the use of magical and/or high-tech objects for mundane tasks in addition to to special powers. Clean misuse.

The Beard: 1303 wicks as of 09/05/2023 Active TRS Thread

• Redefine to match off-site usage (a queer character gets into a relationship in order to hide their sexuality). Cleanup tracked at Trimming The Beard.