The etymology of the word.
The term "folklore" comes from the combination of two words: "folk" and "lore". "Folk" is derived from the Old English word "folc", which meant "people", while "lore" is derived from the Old English word "lār", which meant "learning" or "instruction".
A historical term was born.
The term "folklore" was coined in the 19th century by British scholar William John Thoms, who used it to describe the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a particular culture or community. Thoms believed that these traditional practices and stories represented a valuable part of cultural heritage that should be studied and preserved.
Our modern understanding.
Since then, the term "folklore" has been widely used to refer to the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of different cultures around the world. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including folktales, legends, myths, music, dance, crafts, and rituals. Folklore provides insights into the history, values, and beliefs of different cultures, and has become an important area of study in fields such as anthropology, literature, and cultural studies.
