What Role Does The Tall Tale Play In American Folklore?

What do folklore heroes Paul Bunyan, Davy Crockett, and Daniel Boone have in common? Other than occupying outsize places in the American folklore pantheon, each of the three men exemplifies one of the most enduring elements of American folklore—the tall tale.

Just what is a tall tale? A tall tale is a story or a part of a story with unbelievable elements to it that are told as if they are literally true. Some tall tales are clearly told as such to emphasize a point or make an impression, for example, “a gust of wind that was so strong it almost blew the house down.” Other tall tales are entirely fictional. But in both cases, a tall tale is the premise of the story, without which the story would be significantly different, or could not exist at all.

The reason tall tales loom so large in American folklore is deeply rooted in American history. The American frontier was a rough and competitive place, where dominance could come to seem or to actually mean the difference between survival and death. Therefore, making the most out of your exploits became paramount for the men who settled the American West. These bragging contests of sorts made the tall tale endemic to an expanding America.

Some of the most popular figures in American folklore fit this mold. Paul Bunyan (some historians debate on whether he was based on a real person) is told in American folklore to be a man of absolutely gigantic proportions and strength. In the story’s telling, it took five storks to deliver Bunyan to his parents upon his “birth.” As he grew, the legend has it that Bunyan routinely ate 50 pancakes in one sitting and dug the entire Grand Canyon with his ax.

Davy Crockett is another classic American folk hero who made use of the tall tale. A real U.S. Representative from Texas who died in battle at the Alamo, Crockett was liberal with his use of exaggeration. Among his other claims, Crockett said he wrestled a bear (and won) at the age of three and trained neighborhood animals to fear his shotgun as a child because he was such a good marksman.

Daniel Boone is one American folk hero whose reputation for his superlative skills may come closest to the truth. Although the legend that he killed a bear at age three is certainly not true, Boone’s extreme skill as a marksman, survivalist, and conservationist who took care of the land even as he settled the first American settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains is widely considered to be true.

So, the next time you find yourself tempted to embellish a story, just remember—you are the inheritor of a proud tradition.

A man sitting beneath a portrait of Daniel Boone

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.