Lore is the collection of knowledge, stories, and traditions about a particular subject, passed down over time. Every culture has its own lore: myths about gods and heroes, folk tales about magical creatures, explanations for why things are the way they are. Norse lore includes stories of Thor and Odin. Celtic lore features tales of druids and fairies.

The word often appears when discussing fantasy worlds. Fans of The Lord of the Rings study its lore to understand Middle-earth's history, languages, and peoples. Video game players dive deep into a game's lore to understand its backstory and characters.

Lore extends beyond fantasy, though. Baseball has its own lore of legendary players and famous games. Your family might have lore too: stories about how your grandparents met, or that time your uncle accidentally drove the tractor into the pond. Schools develop lore about memorable teachers, epic pranks, and championship seasons.

What makes something lore instead of just facts or stories? Lore gets passed along and retold, often growing richer with each telling. It connects people to their past and helps them understand their world, whether that world is real or imaginary.