Why aren't the myths circulating out there called "rural legends" ? (Especially if a UFO lands in a cornfield and the locals are temporarily abducted)
Learn English – the origin of the term “Urban Legend”
etymologyphrases
Related Topic
- Learn English – Origin of the term ‘bastard sword’
- Learn English – the origin of the phrase “knock-down, drag-out”
- Learn English – On the origin of “blizzard”
- Learn English – the origin of “analogue” as a term meaning “non-digital?”
- Learn English – Origin of the term “top tucker”
- Learn English – the origin of the term “library” (in programming sense)
- Learn English – the origin of the phrase “pet name” for a term of endearment
Best Answer
An urban legend is a tale which purports to actually be true, but which has little basis in fact--or at least a highly contested factual basis. What makes urban legends "urban" is the fact that they're set in contemporary, urban settings and are widely believed today, as opposed to more traditional legends and myths which are set further in the past and are largely disbelieved by modern audiences. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend