Definition of folk

The word "folk" is derived from the Old English word "folc," which meant a group of people who lived in the same area and shared a common culture, language, and social organization. This term was originally used to refer to a political community, as in the "folkwī�� Candidate," the official in charge of a local community during Anglo-Saxon times. As the meaning of "folk" evolved, it became associated with traditional rural ways of life and customs. In medieval England, the term "folk" denoted the common people as distinct from the nobility and clergy, and later came to refer to the peasantry or working classes. This usage continued into the modern era, as in the English literary movement of the 19th century known as the Folk Revival. The concept of a folk culture also emerged in the 19th century, as scholars began to study rural and traditional societies. This approach emphasized the ways in which ordinary people created and transmitted their own cultural practices and beliefs, in contrast to the elitist focus on high culture and intellectual heritage. Today, the term "folk" continues to be used in a variety of contexts, from ethnic and cultural studies to popular music and art. It connotes a sense of community, tradition, and authenticity, and has come to encompass a broad range of cultural expressions and practices.