What is particularly 'urban' about so-called urban myths?

gonnzo

Nothing. "Despite its name, a typical urban legend does not necessarily originate in an urban setting. The term is simply used to differentiate modern legend from traditional folklore in preindustrial times. For this reason, sociologists and folklorists prefer the term "contemporary legend."" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_Legends Oct 29 08, 3:16 PM

zbeckabee

Various other names have been suggested and applied, but urban legend stuck, presumably because it distinguishes in a picturesque way between the kinds of legends told in bygone days, primarily by rural folks in rural settings, and those we tell now (although, in truth, many "contemporary" legends borrow motifs and storylines from traditional folktales of the past). http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/urbanlegends/f/why_urban.htm Oct 29 08, 4:56 PM