Urban Legends

Contemporary legends that incorporate current issues with some traditional themes. Urban legends are told as being true and are usually attributed to a friend of a friend.

Resources in this category:

About.Com: Urban Legends and Folklore
http://urbanlegends.about.com/

A reference resource about urban legends and folklore. Read about the history of urban legends, read legends, and find out which ones are true. Includes many categories of legends, including computer and Internet-related hoaxes and scams.

AFU and Urban Legends Archive
http://tafkac.org/

The AFU (alt.folklore.urban) and Urban Legend database is an archive of modern tales, from stolen organs to the $250 Neiman Marcus cookie recipe--that have been popularized through word of mouth. While the truth and validity of these stories is often in question, they usually contain some sort of moral that adds to their entertainment value. Legends are organized by topic.

Museum of Hoaxes
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/

How many hoaxes have you fallen for? Browse the hoax galleries and see how many you recognize. While you’re at it, get the latest hoax news and test yours gullibility with a hoax quiz.

News of the Weird
http://www.newsoftheweird.com/index.html

"Proof that true stories are weirder than made-up stories." A weekly column documenting the strangest news that really happened. News of the Weird also has a weblog that often deals with urban legends.

Snopes: Urban Legends Reference Pages
http://www.snopes.com/

A frequently updated database of popular myths, urban legends, and internet/email hoaxes. Items are listed by category, but the site is also searchable. Each legend is rated on how close it comes to an actual event and verifiability.

Usenet's Urban Legends
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/7416/usenet.ul.html

These urban legends are listed with handy codes of "T" or "F" (true or false).