Definition

A traditional story or set of stories, often involving gods, heroes, or supernatural events, that encodes the values and beliefs of a culture. It can also refer to a widely held but false belief or narrative.

Example Usage

The mythos of the American Dream suggests that anyone can succeed through hard work alone.

Origin

From Greek 'mythos,' meaning 'story' or 'word'; used by ancient Greeks to distinguish their narratives from historical accounts.

Fun Fact

Mythoi (plural) form the foundation of world religions, literature, and cultural identity across all human societies.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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Vestigial

Reduced to a functionless remnant or trace; referring to a structure, organ, or practice that has lost most or all of its original purpose through evolution or disuse. In humans, the appendix is a classic example.

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proverb

A short, memorable saying that expresses a practical truth or moral lesson, often based on experience and passed down through generations. Proverbs serve as cultural wisdom and are found in nearly every society.

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mimeo

Short for mimeograph, a printing technology that used a stencil and rotating drum to produce copies; mimeo machines were affordable, low-tech alternatives to photocopiers for producing multiple copies of documents or newsletters. Mimeographed pages had a distinctive slightly bluish tint and distinctive smell.

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Obelisk

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authorship

The state of being credited as the creator of something, which becomes surprisingly contentious when there's money, prestige, or tenure involved. In academia, determining authorship order on research papers can spark feuds lasting decades. It's essentially the grown-up version of fighting over whose name goes first on the group project.

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