# What's the difference between plagiarism, parody, and homage?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-plagiarism-parody-and-homage/728246>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 19, 2015, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-plagiarism-parody-and-homage/728246 "2015-08-19T05:15:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![Toy\_varen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Toy\_varen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toy_varen)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-plagiarism-parody-and-homage/728246/2 "2015-08-19T06:15:52Z")

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Ok did a little research:

Plagiarism: to copy something for the purpose of claiming credit.  
Parody: to copy something for the purpose of comedy.  
Homage: to copy something for the purpose of showing respect.

So:  
Tina Fey’s imitation of Sarah Palin, verbatim, to run for governor: plagiarism.  
Tina Fey’s imitation of Sarah Palin, verbatim, but with laugh track: parody.  
Tina Fey’s imitation of Sarah Palin, verbatim, but saying “Watch my Sarah Palin impression!” first: homage.

Sounds right?

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