According to the 'Lights Out' rumor, street-gang members would drive without headlights until a compassionate motorist responded with the traditional flashing of headlights, whereupon a prospective new gang-member would have to murder the citizen as a requirement of initiation.

On occasion, news organizations, school officials and even police departments have issued warnings concerning the latest threat. Anyone believing such stories might feel compelled to warn loved ones. Many urban legends depict horrific crimes, contaminated foods, or other situations that would potentially affect many people. The teller of an urban legend may claim it happened to a friend (or to a friend of a friend), which serves to personalize, authenticate and enhance the power of the narrative and distances the teller. The urban legend that Coca-Cola developed the drink Fanta to sell in Nazi Germany without public backlash originated as the actual tale of German Max Keith, who invented the drink and ran Coca-Cola's operations in Germany during World War II.

Cases that may have been at least partially inspired by real events include 'The Death Car' (traced by Richard Dorson to Michigan, United States) 'the Solid Cement Cadillac' and the possible origin of ' The Hook' in the 1946 series of Lovers' Lane murders in Texarkana, Texas, United States. Propagation and belief Īs Jan Brunvand points out, antecedent legends including some of the motifs, themes and symbolism of the urtexts can readily be identified. Many of the most well known tales will try to balance out the normal with the paranormal. An urban legend may include elements of the supernatural or paranormal. Elements of shock value can be found in almost every form of urban legend and are partially what makes these tales so impactful. Urban legends will often try to invoke a feeling of disgust in the reader which tends to make these stories more memorable and potent. Some urban legends are morality tales that depict someone acting in a disagreeable manner, only to wind up in trouble, hurt, or dead. The compelling appeal of a typical urban legend is its elements of mystery, horror, fear, or humor. Many urban legends are framed as complete stories with plot and characters. Brunvand used his collection of legends, The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends & Their Meanings (1981) to make two points: first, that legends and folklore do not occur exclusively in so-called primitive or traditional societies, and second, that one could learn much about urban and modern culture by studying such tales. Jan Harold Brunvand, professor of English at the University of Utah, introduced the term to the general public in a series of popular books published beginning in 1981. The term 'urban legend', as used by folklorists, has appeared in print since at least 1968, when it was used by Richard Dorson.