urban legend
urban legend (noun)
/ˈɝː.bən ˈle.dʒənd/
Meaning
- A widely circulated but false story believed to be true, often with disturbing or humorous elements.
- A modern myth or fictional tale passed along as fact, especially one with a moral, warning, or twist.
- A fabricated or exaggerated story that gains traction within a community or culture.
- A contemporary folk tale typically involving mysterious events, supernatural occurrences, or ironic twists.
- An anecdote or narrative believed by many but not verified by evidence, often presented as having happened to a “friend of a friend.”
- A pseudo-historical or sensational story shared via word of mouth, social media, or mass communication, usually lacking credible sources.
Synonyms: myth; folklore; hoax; rumor
Example Sentences
- Many believed the alligators in the sewers story, but it turned out to be just an urban legend.
- The tale about the haunted hitchhiker is a classic urban legend that’s been told for decades.
- He swore the incident happened to his cousin, but it sounded like an urban legend.
- The viral video was based on an urban legend, not an actual news report.
- Some people still believe the candy tampering scare, though it’s mostly an urban legend.
- That story about celebrities switching identities is an outrageous urban legend that never seems to die.
Origin and History
Early Appearances in Print
The term “urban legend” first appeared in print in 1925 in a New York Times article titled “Europe’s Population Growth.” However, in this context, it referred to myths about urban life in Great Britain, not the contemporary meaning associated with modern folklore.
The earliest known usage of “urban legend” in the context of contemporary folklore is attributed to American folklorist Richard M. Dorson in his 1968 work Our Living Traditions. Dorson used the term to describe modern tales such as the ghostly hitchhiker and the death car.
Additionally, the term “urban myth” was used by William H. Friedland in 1960 in his paper “Some Urban Myths of East Africa,” though it did not refer specifically to contemporary legends.
Popularization by Jan Harold Brunvand
The term gained widespread popularity through the work of Jan Harold Brunvand, a professor of English at the University of Utah. In 1981, he published The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings, introducing the concept to the general public. Brunvand argued that folklore is not exclusive to primitive societies and that modern urban tales offer valuable insights into contemporary culture.
Geographic Origins and Usage
While the term “urban legend” was first used in the United States, the concept encompasses stories from various cultures worldwide. For instance, Japan has its own urban legends like Teke Teke, a ghost story about a girl who lost her lower body. Similarly, other countries have their unique tales that fit the urban legend framework, indicating that while the term originated in the U.S., the phenomenon is global.
Theories and Beliefs About the Term’s Origin
Several theories exist regarding the origin of the term “urban legend”:
- Academic Coinage: Folklorists like Richard Dorson and Jan Harold Brunvand used the term to categorize modern tales that resemble traditional folklore but occur in contemporary settings.
- Media Influence: The rise of mass media and the need to label and discuss these stories in newspapers and books may have contributed to the term’s adoption.
- Cultural Reflection: The term reflects a shift in societal focus from rural to urban narratives, acknowledging that folklore evolves with changing environments.
Variants
- urban myth
- contemporary legend
- modern legend
- internet legend
About the Author
Elena Jones holds a PhD in Education from Harvard University. She has extensive experience teaching at both the K–12 and university levels, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language. Elena has dedicated her career to advancing educational practices, and she has contributed to numerous educational journals.
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