folklore
FOHK-lor
/ˈfəʊk.lɔːr/
The traditional beliefs, customs, stories, and expressions preserved orally among a common group of people.
Emphasizes unofficial, community-generated oral traditions rather than formal written histories or royal decrees.
The story behind the word. The word was invented in 1846 by English antiquarian William Thoms. He coined 'folk-lore' as a good Saxon compound to replace the clumsy Latinate phrase 'popular antiquities'.
Word relationships
- tradition: Tradition covers repetitive practices, whereas folklore encompasses oral stories, superstitions, and folk songs.
- folk wisdom: Folk wisdom refers specifically to practical proverbs, whereas folklore includes fictional tales and customs.
- history: History relies on documented facts and records, whereas folklore relies on oral narrative memory.
Commonly confused with
- mythology: Mythology involves sacred creation stories and gods, while folklore consists of ordinary local tales and superstitions.
Word family
- folkloric (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of traditional oral stories and customs.
- folklorist (noun): A scholar who studies oral traditions and cultural customs.
Collocations
- local folklore
- rich folklore
- folklore collection
- steeped in folklore
Idioms & expressions
- the stuff of folklore
Example sentences
- "The brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm spent decades collecting oral folklore from German villagers." Literature and oral history
- "Comparative folklore reveals similar themes across cultures that never had direct physical contact." Academic research
Memory hook
FOLK (ordinary people) sharing LORE (knowledge and stories). The lore of the folk.
When not to use
Do not use folklore for modern internet rumors or fake news; use 'urban legend' or 'misinformation'.
Fun facts
- Before William Thoms coined 'folklore' in 1846, scholars called these tales 'popular antiquities'.
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