Rip Van Winkle
Rip Van Winkle: In American literary folklore, creation of Washington Irving in The Sketch Book. Rip, who lives with a shrewish wife, one day goes…
Month: December 2017
Captain Kidd
Captain Kidd (1645–1701) In British and American history and folklore, popular name of William Kidd, privateer. Born in Scotland, Kidd came to New York City,…
Calamity Jane
Calamity Jane (1848–1903) In U.S. history and folklore, popular name for Martha Jane Canary, noted for her marksmanship, who dressed as a man. She got…
Butch Cassidy
Butch Cassidy (1866–1911?) In U.S. history and legend, assumed name of Robert Leroy Parker, leader of the Wild Bunch, an outlaw gang consisting of Kid…
Buffalo Bill
Buffalo Bill (1846–1917) In American history and folklore, the popular name of William Frederick Cody, scout and showman. Born in Iowa, Buffalo Bill’s family moved…
Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam In American folklore, personification of the United States, portrayed as a tall, lean Yankee with long white hair, chin whiskers, striped pants, swallow-tail…
Lion’s Share, The
The Lion’s Share is an Aesopic fable found in various collections throughout the world. The lion preferred to hunt alone, but now and then he…
Lion in Love, The
The Lion in Love is an aesopic fable found in various European collections. A lion fell in love with the beautiful daughter of a woodman.…
Lion and the Mouse, The
The Lion and the Mouse is an Aesopic fable found in various collections throughout the world. A lion was asleep in his den one day…
Juno and the Peacock
Juno and the Peacock Aesopic fable found in various European collections. A peacock once placed a petition before the goddess Juno asking for the voice…