folk tale

American  

[fohk teyl] / ˈfoʊk ˌteɪl /

Or folktale

noun

1. a tale or legend originating and traditional among a people or folk, especially one forming part of the oral tradition of the common people.

2. any belief or story passed on traditionally, especially one considered to be false or based on superstition.

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folk tale British  

noun

1. a tale or legend originating among a people and typically becoming part of an oral tradition

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Etymology

Origin of folk tale

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Ridge’s popular and widely translated work inspired folk tales, ballads and movies.

From The Wall Street Journal

But no: this has become a subgenre of its own, a kind of folk tale the news loves to tell.

From Salon

Topics covered by the series range from forgotten characters to intriguing folk tales, such as the "missing" bugler of Kirkstead Abbey.

From BBC

“I think there’s the folk tales, the storytelling aspect that you see in Western African music that’s also a very big part of country music,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Historical accounts and later folk tales suggest white horses were valued for sacrifices, for example.

From Science Magazine