Legends and folklore are typically stories that have been around for generations.  These stories are often exciting and have a tendency to be full of terrifying anecdotes.  Although they usually claim to be ‘true stories’, generally there aren’t any facts behind them.  That’s not to say that there isn’t a portion of the truth in these stories.  It’s thought that over the years they may have become a bit exaggerated with some portions perhaps being left out or changed to make the story more interesting.  It would be kind of like playing a game of Telephone for years on end.
An Urban Legend is another term often used to describe these tall tales.  These legends have actually been broadcast on the evening news in the past to act as a warning for possible events to come.  More commonly today, these legends are distributed via email.  They usually start out by referring to a friend that this actually happened to or more often, a friend of a friend.  This helps to give the story validity, when it sounds like the teller has a connection to the person to whom this actually happened. 
There are legends that have come through the years with only slight differences to suit the current location of the teller.  The term “urban legend,” was first introduced by a professor of English at the University of Utah in 1981.  Jan Brunvand wrote and published a series of books beginning in 1981.   Brunvand used a compilation of legends to express his theory that legends and folklore are not only prevalent in so-called primitive or traditional societies, but that one could learn much about urban and modern culture by studying these tales.
The structure of an urban legend usually comes complete with plot and characters.  What makes these legends so appealing is the suspense, horror or humor.  Many are thought to be providing a service of some sort like a warning or advice.  In fact, they are most often spreading misinformation.  For example, the erroneous idea that a college student will be guaranteed to pass all of their classes, if their roommate should commit suicide.  While such tales may not have excitement of a traditional urban legend, they are still conveyed from one person to another with the typical elements of terror, comedy or warning. 
Most urban legends cannot be traced to their place of origination.  In the few instances that can be traced, the associations are often masked by later exaggeration and modification. There are researchers that claim that some of the antecedent legends can readily be identified. Cases in which there is some likelihood that at least a partial inspiration has been located include "The Death Car".  This is the story of a brand new car that was to be sold for a ridiculously low price due to the fact that it was embedded with a stench that could not be removed.  This story is connected with a man that committed suicide in a brand new Buick and not found for several months, as well as, similar stories but with a different make and model, and source of demise.