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.

---

Etymology

Origin of origin story

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

ABC’s ‘R.J. Decker’ stars Scott Speedman as the titular detective reminiscent of Jim Rockford, whereas Prime Video’s ‘Young Sherlock’ gives Arthur Conan Doyle’s sleuth an origin story.

From Los Angeles Times

The mural’s origin story is that of two creative women bound by strength and a desire to give back.

From Los Angeles Times

This is something of an origin story, but the childhood trauma that haunts his dreams, and powers one of the series’ main mysteries, has no evident influence on his waking personality; in fact, as Holmeses go, he’s fairly normal — affectionate and puckish, if a little serious and proper.

From Los Angeles Times

For fans of true crime, Raftery has written a fascinating biography and origin story about one of pop culture’s most emblematic serial killers, and his lasting bite on society.

From Los Angeles Times

Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” pivots the novel toward fantastical anachronism and open-hearted femininity, while del Toro’s “Frankenstein” is a dour, dark spin that blunts the sentimentality of Mary Shelley’s book for an adaptation that plays more like a superhero origin story.

From Salon