legend

Date: 14th century

1 : a popular story handed down from earlier times which may or may not be true

Etymology: Middle English legende, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; to gather, select, read; akin to Greek legein to gather, say, logos speech, word, reason

urban legend

Date: 1968

1 :an often shocking story that is based on heasay and widely circulated as true

Legends often contain references to the fantastical and supernatural. They shift from folklore to paranormal when mixed with specific facts, such as location names, and passed on as true stories.

There are over 250 distinct urban legends documented in North America. Rarely are these legends based on truth. Instead, they mirror society’s fears, headlines and morals.