Lore and Learn Come From the Same Root
Lore is traditional knowledge passed on informally. It shares an origin with the verb to learn.
Lore is a body of traditional knowledge held by a group, usually passed on by word of mouth. Old English *lar* meant teaching or instruction, from the same root as *learn*, so lore is literally what has been taught. It differs from formal knowledge in how it travels rather than in what it contains — folklore, sea lore and plant lore were all practical bodies of expertise. German *Lehre*, a doctrine, is the same word.
- Traditional knowledge. *Local lore.*
- Folklore. *Folklore.*
- Teaching (archaic). *Lar.*
- Learn — the same root. *To learn.*
- Old English — *lar*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | lore | Lore. |
| Compound | folklore | Folklore. |
| Related | learn | To learn. |
| German | Lehre | A doctrine. |
| Old English | lar | Teaching. |
- Local lore says otherwise.Tradition.
- Sea lore guided sailors.Knowledge.
- Lar meant teaching.Etymology.
Bodies of traditional knowledge
- Folklore — customs and stories of a community
- Weather lore — signs read from sky and behaviour
- Plant lore — traditional uses of herbs
- Sea lore — navigation and safety at sea
- All were practical, whatever their accuracy
Old English *lar*, teaching or instruction, from the same root as *learn*.
Are lore and learn related?
Yes. Old English lar meant teaching, from the same root as learn. Lore is literally what has been taught.
How does lore differ from knowledge?
Chiefly in how it travels. Lore is passed on informally within a group rather than recorded and taught formally.