Myth
/mɪθ/noun
A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon.
Did you know?The term 'myth' comes from the Greek 'mythos', which originally meant 'word' or 'speech', showing how stories wielded power in shaping beliefs and cultures.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meh₂-
“to think, to speak, to express”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μῦθος (mythos)
“word, speech, tale, or story”
Late Latin
Latin
mythos
“story, legend, narrative”
Middle English
English
myth
“a traditional or legendary story; a popular belief or tradition”
Modern English
English
myth
“a narrative explaining the origins of a culture or natural phenomenon, often involving gods or supernatural beings.”