Pretender Diss: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

 

 

The contempt can vary from amused to outraged, and express itself in anything from shrugging and snarking through [[Irritation Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery|more serious annoyance]] to termination with extreme prejudice. It is not, however, incompatible with using the wannabe as [[The Renfield]], or treating a group of wannabes as "useful idiots", minions, or [[Cannon Fodder]].

Accordingly, the trope divides along two main paths depending on whether...

 

# The disser actually has a reasonable case (or not) for being acquainted with the Real Deal, and (whether or not in favour of it generally) has a case (or at least think they do) for knowing the fake from the real in the relevant domain, cf. [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer|Buffy]]'s disdain for [[Interview with the Vampire|Lestat]] wannabes.

 

 

Not uncommon (where self-aware) in those on the receiving end of in-universe [[Fan Dumb]] and [[Misaimed Fandom]], let alone in-universe versions of [[Draco in Leather Pants]] delusions. Also not uncommon, conversely, by despisers of both, whether for or against the relevant misapprehensions.

 

Please keep [[Real Life]] examples light on [[Flame Bait]].

 

== Anime and Manga ==

 

** Another example: Morpheus's response to {{spoiler|the ghost of}} Hector Hall calling himself "The Sandman" is - in stark contrast to his usual behavior - laughing his head off.

* Vampires Dave and Jerome in ''Life Sucks'' are really just regular guys who happen to subsist on blood and be burned by sunlight, but even they manage some contempt for people like Rosa's ex-boyfriend, a melodramatic Goth who goes around in a black cape. And when Rosa, not knowing Dave is a vampire, wishes ''she'' were one, he shows some exasperation at her fantasy of what life as a vampire would be like.

* In one issue of ''[[Green Lantern]] Corps'', Kyle Rayner confronts Sinestro, who tells him something along the lines of "I want the real Green Lantern". Rayner responds, "A few years ago, that would have stung, but not any more. You want the REAL Green Lantern? You're looking at him."

'''Wally West''': Is that so? Mister, I ''knew'' Barry Allen, and believe me... ''you're no Barry Allen!'' }}

 

== Film ==

 

** Bonus points for said evil scheme being to transform himself into the vampire ''[[God of Evil|god]]''. Especially since said scheme worked (mostly).

* ''[[Dark Knight]]'': Batman scolds the band of vigilantes.

* In the wretched 80s rock/horror flick ''Trick Or Treat'', the protagonist verbally provokes the Satanic rocker's ghost to lure him into a trap. He finally succeeds in getting the reaction he wants by calling the ghost a fucking wimp poser.

* In the original ''[[Fright Night]]'', vampire Jerry Dandridge shakes Peter Vincent's hand, telling him that he's seen all of his old vampire-hunter films and found them [[Stealth Insult|very amusing]]. He and [[The Renfield|Billy]] later poke fun at Peter's show dialogue.

 

== Literature ==

* In the ''[[Codex Alera]]'', Aldrick ex Gladius, regarded as one of the greatest swordsmen living, is legendary partly because of his famed duel with Araris Valerian. At multiple points throughout the series he crosses swords with other famed warriors, calmly informing each of them "The only man who has ever matched me in battle was Araris Valerian himself, and you aren't Araris." {{spoiler|When it turns out that [[Because I'm Jonesy|one of them actually]] ''[[Because I'm Jonesy|is]]'' [[Because I'm Jonesy|Araris]], Aldrick [[Villainous Breakdown|practically collapses]].}}

* The first line in ''[[X Wing Series|Rogue Squadron]]'' is Wedge Antilles knocking an overconfident rookie pilot down several pegs with "You're good, Corran, but you're no [[Star Wars|Luke Skywalker]]." When the squadron is officially formed Wedge makes sure to remind the next generation of pilots that they'll never be considered as good as those who fought and died before their time. Corran's mental response is "I can dream, can't I?"

 

 

== Live Action TV ==

 

** People who like to be fed on, including Buffy's long term boyfriend Riley.

*** And Willow dismisses most of the neo-pagans at her college (except Tara) as a "bunch of wannablessedbes".

'''random Vampire:''' Me and mine don't follow rules. We're rebels!

'''Spike:''' No, I'm a rebel. You're an idiot. }}

* ''[[True Blood]]'' - A Redneck Vamp threatens a frat boy and a wannabe-vamp clerk. "I'll fuck you, and then I'll eat you."

* The monster hunters of ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]'' dislike wannabe-hunters, since they tend to derive their knowledge of monsters from popular fiction - which can get them and others killed. When Dean meets Samuel, Samuel tests him with a question about vampires that [[Our Vampires Are Different|a wannabe would fail]].

* The bikers of ''[[Sons of Anarchy]]'' do not like posers. However, they usually skip the dissing and go right to severe beating, especially if they feel the poser is disrespecting their colors or their motorcycle.

 

== Tabletop Games ==

 

* ''[[Shadowrun]]'' has the Elf Poser and Ork Poser disadvantages. Humans look on "posers" (normal humans who alter their bodies to look like elves or orks) as either pathetic or (for extremists) race-traitors; actual elves consider posers irritating and a little insulting. (Orks, by contrast, often avert the trope and embrace any poser who's orky enough.)

* The gaming-humor document "The Munchkin File", about the [[Player Archetypes|four types of RPG player]], repeatedly Lampshades alleged poser-like attitudes on the part of Munchkins ("I'm a Real Roleplayer too!").

 

** Probably justified, since smithing in real life is highly skilled labor and if you don't know what you're doing, you're probably going to screw over the poor sap using that sword.

*** Especially Japanese smithing, which refines the metal as the blade's being shaped due to the low quality ore in that country.

* {{spoiler|The Reapers}} of ''[[Mass Effect]]'' despise the AI geth who [[Machine Worship|see them as their Gods]] - in fact, they find the worship (and the idea that the geth could ever be like them) ''insulting''.

** Also, Renegade Shepard's dealings with [[Heroic Wannabe|Conrad Verner]]. Even Paragon Shepard, to some extent, although (s)he at least tries let him down gently in telling him he doesn't have what it takes.

 

* [[Kate Beaton]] on ''[[Hark! A Vagrant|Hark a Vagrant]]'' presents: [http://harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=228 hipsters ruining everything]. Even as she mocks those who complain that hipsters ruin everything.

 

== Web Original ==

== Real Life ==

 

*** They did serve together in the House of Representatives. Bentsen was there from 1948-1955, and Kennedy was there from 1947-1953. How well they actually knew each other being from different states is anyone's guess.

** One cartoon paraphrased the quote, in reference to [[Sarah Palin]]: "Governor, you're no Dan Quayle."

* The standard phrase for any "serious actor" who hasn't got talent - or, at least, nearly as much talent as they think they do? "X, you're no [[Meryl Streep]]."

* People who read pre-Twilight era vampire books feel this towards [[Twilight]] and it's [[Follow the Leader]] style books. Of course, some of them can get just as vehement about what vampires are and are not ("scary!" "romantic!" "nocturnal only!" "sparkles during the day!" etc.) that they're almost as bad.

* People officially diagnosed with [[Useful Notes/Aspergers Syndrome|Asperger's syndrome]] tend to view the ever-increasing multitude of self-diagnosed cases as posers. Or "jackasses making up excuses".

** Same for historical-reenactment buffs.

* Legitimate hippies against poser-hippies who just want to get high and get laid. Of course, considering this latter group is what the general public thinks of when they think of hippies, this may be a valid complaint.

** This belief also extends to other cultures where natives or purists feel "If you're not 100% X and/or aren't from X, then you're not a true X."

** It could also extend to any who play up a national heritage during an appropriate holiday and go back to ignoring it for the rest of the year.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Insult Tropes]]