Meaning & Definition of word "Folklore"

Folklore

/ˈfoʊkˌlɔːr/

1. The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth.
- Example: The folklore of the region includes many tales of mythical creatures.
2. An often traditional story or legend that reflects the cultural practices and history of a group.
- Example: Many children grow up listening to the folklore of their ancestors.
3. The study or appreciation of folklore and traditional cultural practices.
- Example: Her research focuses on the folklore of Eastern European communities.
4. A set of beliefs or traditions associated with a particular culture or social group.
- Example: The festival celebrates the folklore of the indigenous people.

The term 'folklore' was coined in the 19th century, combining 'folk' (people) with 'lore' (knowledge).

folklore studies:

The academic examination of cultural traditions and stories.

urban folklore:

Modern myths, legends, or stories that circulate within a community.

folklore festival:

A public event celebrating traditional cultural practices.

mythology:

A collection of myths, especially one belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition.

legend:

A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated.

Meaning: Tall tale

Example Sentence: He told a tall tale about catching a fish the size of a car, which sounded like folklore to me.

Meaning: Old wives' tale

Example Sentence: The story he shared about the fountain of youth was just an old wives' tale, part of local folklore.