01-30-2024, 06:32 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
I was listening to a podcast about screen writing which mentioned the Tiffany Problem.
In sum: One of the biggest problems facing those who wish to make historically accurate films, is the lack of knowledge of the general public. Although many members of the public do not know great amounts about particular time periods, they believe that they do. One of the skills of historical consultants to tv shows etc is to advise on what people *think* is true. This has become known as the Tiffany Problem. Coined by fantasy writer Jo Walton, the name originates from the complications of having a character in a historical book named Tiffany. Many people feel that Tiffany is a modern name, popularised by the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In fact, Tiffany was a name used across history, including in the medieval period. It was a skewing of the Greek word Theophania, and the Christian feast of the Epiphany. Girls born on the 6th of January, the feast day, were often named some variant of the word which included Tiffany. However, if you gave regular old Joe Bloggs off the street a book set in the 14th century with a central character called Tiffany, you would be laughed away. https://justhistoryposts.com/2019/03...ffany-problem/ Presumably this extends to games -- when the GM or player has researched a thing that is appropriate for the setting, but it just kills the other players suspension of disbelief in the setting. |
01-30-2024, 08:23 PM | #2 | |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lawrence, KS
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
Quote:
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Bill Stoddard I don't think we're in Oz any more. |
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01-31-2024, 10:15 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Apr 2012
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
A corollary of this is falsehoods that keep being perpetrated on screen because so many folks believe it is true. One being that the recipient of a shotgun blast will suddenly change direction and fly out of a window. This despite a Mythbusters episode that busted that idea. If the show depicts a person getting shot not moving away from the blast, a lot of folks will think the show got it wrong.
For the name thing, can't hurt to hand out a brief printout of the name's history. Like this: https://www.behindthename.com/name/tiffany Nothing says games can't include a bit of education. |
02-01-2024, 01:49 AM | #4 |
Night Watchman
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
I positively enjoy stamping on incorrect popular culture, in any setting that shares history with the real world. Fortunately, my usual players and GMs will believe me, if I show my work.
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The Path of Cunning. Indexes: DFRPG Characters, Advantage of the Week, Disadvantage of the Week, Skill of the Week, Techniques. |
02-05-2024, 10:23 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
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HMS Overflow-For conversations off topic here. |
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02-06-2024, 01:47 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
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02-06-2024, 06:55 PM | #7 |
Stick in the Mud
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Rural Utah
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
Reminds me of the bit about a certain well known comedian being lightly bullied as a kid for introducing himself as Hope, Leslie. Considering he was a comedian, and the story was in his own words, I both don't doubt it much, and also wonder how much of it was for humorous effect.
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02-10-2024, 10:06 PM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alsea, OR
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
I've met more male than females with the name Leslie; there is a generation gap.
I've met more males named Beverly than females, but all of them in my grandparent's generation (the served in WW 2 generation); the only females named Beverly that come to mind are B. Crusher (fictional) and some female actor from the 60's. The real surprise is the number of Hmong kids named Chubaka/Chewbacca. (When subbing, I stopped counting at 18.) |
02-11-2024, 10:31 AM | #9 |
☣
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Southeast NC
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
Sir Harry was added to the Arthur story by Thomas Malory, and not by Monty Python as most people would probably guess.
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RyanW - Actually one normal sized guy in three tiny trenchcoats. |
02-16-2024, 11:03 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Tiffany and the Game Writer/GM/Player
Er, why would one guess that? If I were guessing anybody it might be Shakespeare - surely that's the most famous quote using the name Harry.
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