Definition
A traditional story or narrative passed down orally through generations within a culture or community, often featuring archetypal characters, moral lessons, or explanations of natural phenomena. Folktales typically lack a single identifiable author and evolve as they are retold.
Example Usage
The Cinderella story exists as a folktale in hundreds of cultures, each with its own variations.
Origin
Compound of 'folk' (common people) and 'tale' (story); used academically since the 19th century to distinguish oral traditions from authored literature.
Fun Fact
Folklorists have identified hundreds of tale types and motifs that recur across cultures separated by thousands of miles.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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