General terms:
* Tall tale: This is the most common and accurate term. It refers to a story with unbelievable, often humorous, exaggerations.
* Folklore: This encompasses a broad range of traditional stories, including tall tales.
* Legend: While legends often have a basis in reality, they often become embellished with exaggerated details over time.
* Myth: Myths often involve supernatural elements and exaggerated stories about heroes, but they are typically more rooted in cultural beliefs and origins.
Terms specific to American folklore:
* American tall tale: This emphasizes the specific cultural context of the story.
* Frontier tale: Many American tall tales originated from the westward expansion and life on the frontier, emphasizing the resourcefulness and adventurous spirit of the settlers.
Words that describe the exaggeration:
* Hyperbole: This literary device is the use of extreme exaggeration for emphasis.
* Exaggeration: This is a general term for making something seem larger or more important than it actually is.
Ultimately, the best term depends on the specific context and the type of exaggeration you want to highlight.