urban legend

noun

1. a modern story of obscure origin and with little or no supporting evidence that spreads spontaneously in varying forms and often has elements of humor, moralizing, or horror.

   Are there alligators living in the New York City sewer system, or is that just an urban legend?

Word History and Origins

Origin of urban legend¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

After decades of urban legends about poisoned candy, it may be hard to trust in the ritual’s safety.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Despite having a loaded cast, the movie’s premise is reminiscent of a film like “God’s Not Dead,” a self-pitying Christian right propaganda film based on a flat-out false urban legend shared in email chains.

Read more on Salon

The best of Amélie’s schemes — one that appropriates an old urban legend — is the one that isn’t explained until the end.

Read more on Salon

Most of the stories were tall tales and urban legends told to entertain or to score some popularity.

Read more on Salon

Soon, however, conservatives circulated urban legends that it was white people who were the victims.

Read more on Salon