Okay, Gene, now I'm going to agree with you.  The same thought crossed my
mind, especially B:

A) many museums cannot pay; B) I know of no evidence beyond the
anecdotal that volunteer docents are any less competent than paid.  My
anecdotal experience leads me to value and treasure my volunteers above some
staff (a minority, to be sure) who are only in it for the paycheck.

This discussion brings to my mind the play "Lettice and Lovage".  Sorry I
can't remember the playwrite's name.  That tour guide really knew how to
embellish the story of that historic house.

Concerning the proper term.  At one of my places of work and study, we
called them "Faith-promoting rumors" even in a non-religious context.

Jerrie

Jerrie Clarke
Curator of Collections
Valdez Museum
http://www.alaska.net/~vldzmuse/index.html


>From: Eugene Dillenburg <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Proper term
>Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2001 00:29:23 -0600
>
>If the story is widely known, such as Washington chopping down the cherry
>tree, it might be called an "urban legend" -- though that phrase is usually
>reserved for stories of modern origin.
>
>If the story is widespread within an industry but not common outside of it,
>it may be called a "professional legend."
>
>Otherwise, "folk history," along the lines of "folk etymology," feels like
>the best choice, though that again implies something more widely told and
>believed, rather than the invention of an individual.
>
>-- Gene
>
>P.S.: With reference to the exhortation, "if you want competence, pay for
>it,"
>
>End of sermon.
>
>
>"According to the laws of quantum mechanics, God can be omnipotent, or He
>can be omniscient, but He can't be both."
>
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