Tale - Definition and Overview

Story has several different meaning as outlined below.

• As literature, a story, also known as a tale, may refer to:
  • A novel or specifically an epistolary novel
  • A short story
  • The plot, or storyline holding a story together, and as such is also used in the context of plays and movies
  • A frame tale
  • A fable, fairy tale or tall tale (a tale should not be confused with a tail, as in the tale of an animal)
  • An anecdote.

• In journalistic slang, a written piece or article.

• A depiction of history.

American usage

• In older American slang, a 'story' referred to soap opera programs (eg. I'll talk to you later, Ethel; my stories are on.)

• In American spelling, storey refers to a floor of a building.

Other

Tale is also the usenet nickname of David C. Lawrence, a key figure in usenet development.

See also

• Storytelling