Legend
/ˈlɛdʒ.ənd/noun
A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated.
Did you know?The word 'legend' originally referred to texts read aloud about saints, often blurring the lines between history and myth, invoking the power of storytelling.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
legenda
“Things to be read, particularly concerning saints.”
Old French
Old French
legende
“A narrative of a saint's life or exploits.”
Middle English
Middle English
legende
“A story or account of events, often with a moral or supernatural element.”
Modern English
English
legend
“A narrative of human actions that are perceived as historical but are not verifiable.”
Explore more surprising origins