origin story

American  

[awr-i-jin stawr-ee, or-i-jin] / ˈɔr ɪ dʒɪn ˌstɔr i, ˈɒr ɪ dʒɪn /

noun

1. a backstory, or established background narrative, that informs the identity and motivations of heroes and villains in a comic book or similar fictional work.

   The superhero’s origin story begins with a tragic accident that left him scarred, but also resulted in his supernatural powers.

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Etymology

Origin of origin story

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

When that happens, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” transforms from an origin story into a heartfelt critique of inherited power’s worth against the oaken will of a simple man fueled by duty and honor.

From Salon

At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, “One Battle After Another” battled off competitors in major film categories, Timothée Chalamet continued his ascent as the movie star of the moment and the “Hamlet” origin story “Hamnet” got a boost in the Oscar race with a win for best drama.

From The Wall Street Journal

A new adaptation of Frankenstein provides a more emotional take on Mary Shelley's novel about a mad scientist and the creature he creates, while blockbuster Wicked: For Good concludes the origin story of Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west.

From BBC

Beginning with an origin story that echoed John Locke’s “Second Treatise of Government,” Paine depicted people originally created free and equal in nature and subsequently forming representative governments to better secure their liberty and happiness.

From Salon

The way you’re telling me this, it feels like a moment of liberation that becomes your origin story.

From Los Angeles Times