folklore

(fōkˈlôrˌ, -lōrˌ)

1. The traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted orally.
2. The comparative study of folk knowledge and culture. Also called folkloristics.
3. a. A body of widely accepted but usually specious notions about a place, a group, or an institution: Rumors of their antics became part of the folklore of Hollywood.
   b. A popular but unfounded belief.

Related Forms:

• folkˈlorˌic adjective

• folkˈlorˌish adjective

• folkˈlorˌist noun

• folkˌlor·isˈtic adjective