urban legend
Noun: A modern, apocryphal story that circulates widely, often through word-of-mouth, email, or social media. It is typically presented as a true, often cautionary or sensational event that happened to a "friend of a friend." While the core narrative is persistent, details like names and locations change. These stories frequently blend elements of humor, horror, or moral warning and are popularly believed despite a lack of verifiable evidence.
The term is used to categorize and discuss a specific type of contemporary folklore. It describes a narrative that has gained traction in popular culture, often reflecting societal anxieties or curiosities. - It is commonly used as a countable noun (e.g., an urban legend, several urban legends). - It often appears in phrases like "that's just an urban legend" or "according to an urban legend."
- The story about alligators living in the New York City sewer system is a classic urban legend.
- I heard an urban legend about a woman who dried her poodle in a microwave oven.
- Many people believe the urban legend that certain corporations have satanic symbols in their logos.
- "Did you hear about the kidney thieves?" "Yes, but that's an old urban legend."
- "To become an urban legend": Describes when a story or a person's reputation attains the status of a widely circulated, semi-mythical tale.
- The story of his prank became an urban legend on campus.
- "Urban legend has it that...": A phrase used to introduce a narrative believed to be an urban legend.
- Urban legend has it that if you forward this email, you will have good luck.
- Urban myth (n): Used interchangeably with "urban legend."
- Contemporary legend (n): A more formal, academic synonym.
- FOAF tale (n): An acronym for "Friend Of A Friend," a term used by folklorists to describe the typical source of such stories.
- Apocryphal story: A story of doubtful authenticity.
- Modern folklore: Stories and traditions circulating in contemporary society.
- Myth: A widely held but false belief or idea.
- "Just an urban legend": A phrase used to dismiss a claim as being part of this unverified folklore.
- The claim that the government is putting tracking chips in vaccines is just an urban legend.
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a story that appears mysteriously and spreads spontaneously in various forms and is usually false; contains elements of humor or horror and is popularly believed to be true
