Urban Legend Definition History

The definition of an urban legend he writes is a strong basic story appeal a foundation in actual belief and a meaningful message or moral most urban legends tend to offer a moral lesson.

Urban legend definition history. Definition of urban legend. An urban legend urban myth urban tale or contemporary legend is a genre of folklore comprising stories circulated as true especially as having happened to a friend or family member often with horrifying or humorous elements. Urban legends are present day fictional stories presented as if they were true. The story is phrased in believable terms but the ending is usually horrifying shocking or humorous.

Urban legend definition a modern story of obscure origin and with little or no supporting evidence that spreads spontaneously in varying forms and often has elements of humor moralizing or horror. In fact urban myths are simply a contemporary version of myths fairy tales folktales and tall tales. However in most cases the details have been exaggerated ultimately making the stories false. Urban legends are popular stories alleged to be true and passed from individual to individual via oral or written e g.

An extraordinary or fascinating story frequently comprised of a combination of horror and humor which is very much repeated as if authentic but can. Typically said stories concern outlandish humiliating humorous terrifying or supernatural events events which in the telling always seem to happen to someone other than the teller. You can think of urban legends as today s folklore just like traditional folktales they are based on real parts of culture and often real people. These legends can be entertainment but often concern mysterious peril or troubling events such as disappearances and strange objects.

These often involve haunted houses apartment complexes and ridiculous creatures i e. By definition urban legends are false either completely made up or based on actual events but greatly exaggerated or distorted. Sewer gators in the city. An often lurid story or anecdote that is based on hearsay and widely circulated as true the urban legend of alligators living in the sewers called also urban myth examples of urban legend in a sentence.

They are called urban not because they come from cities but to distinguish them from older stories from similar traditions. Urban legend a story passed down through the generations by word of mouth often involving a tall tale. Are there alligators living in the new york city sewer system or is that just an urban legend.