Definition of tale

The word "tale" has an interesting etymology that dates back to Old English. The Old English word was "gygd," which meant a "narrative story" or "myth." Over time, the word evolved into a Middle English form "tal" or "tail," which had two distinct meanings. One meaning was "a small slice or piece," whereas the other meaning was "a narrative or story." Many linguists believe that the latter usage arose from the former, as the word "tail" in Old English also meant "a narrow end," and a narrative could be thought of as having a narrow end (or conclusion) as well as a wide beginning. Another theory is that the word "tail" is derived from the Old Norse word "tárall," which also meant "story." This word could have been introduced into English during the Viking invasions in the late 9th century. Regardless of its exact origins, the word "tale" has remained a part of the English language, and continues to be used to describe a variety of narratives, from short stories to folk tales to tall tales, each with their own unique spin on the "gygd" of old.