The Most Popular Tall Tale, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the tall tale you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:50
Step right up, folks, and prepare to embark on a thrilling journey through the realm of tall tales! Here at StrawPoll, we've compiled a smorgasbord of outlandish stories, legendary characters, and mind-boggling exploits just waiting for your vote. Help us unravel the great mystery of "What is the most popular tall tale?" by casting your vote or suggesting a missing gem. Will it be the towering tales of Paul Bunyan, the mischievous adventures of Br'er Rabbit, or perhaps the rip-roaring escapades of Pecos Bill? You decide! As a fellow connoisseur of exaggerated yarns, your voice matters in determining the ultimate ranking of these whimsical wonders. So, what are you waiting for? Join the fun, flex your imagination, and let's celebrate the magic of tall tales together!
What Is the Most Popular Tall Tale?
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168votesThis mythic lumberjack is one of the most well-known tall tales in American folklore. His feats of strength and size, along with his blue ox Babe, have been passed down for generations.Paul Bunyan is a legendary American folk hero known for his enormous size and remarkable feats. He is often depicted as a giant lumberjack with incredible strength and abilities.
- Height: 60 feet
- Strength: able to uproot entire trees with a single swing
- Companions: a blue ox named Babe
- Logging prowess: able to clear entire forests in a single day
- Legendary tool: a massive double-bladed axe
Paul Bunyan in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous lumberjack
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous giant
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous legends
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233votes
John Everett Millais · Public domainThis African American railroad worker became a legend for his incredible strength and endurance. He famously raced a steam drill to prove that human labor was still superior to machines.John Henry is a popular American tall tale character who was believed to be a legendary steel-driving man. The story revolves around John Henry competing against a steam-powered machine to prove that human labor is superior to machinery.- Setting: The story is typically set during the construction of the railroads in the United States.
- Characteristics: John Henry is described as an African American man with immense physical strength and skill.
- Challenge: John Henry challenges a steam-powered machine, usually a steam drill, to a race in order to prove human superiority.
- Race: The race between John Henry and the machine involves drilling through a mountain or rock.
- Outcome: John Henry successfully outperforms the machine and wins the race but collapses and dies due to exhaustion.
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326votes
Maroonbeard · CC BY-SA 3.0This cowboy from Texas was said to have been raised by coyotes and could ride a tornado like a horse. He is known for his incredible feats of strength and his wild adventures in the Wild West.Pecos Bill is a legendary American folk hero from Western tall tales. Born to pioneer parents, Bill was said to have been raised by coyotes after falling out of his family's covered wagon as a toddler. He grew up to be an extraordinary cowboy known for his incredible strength, quick wit, and wild adventures in the American Old West.- Origin: American Western tall tales
- Fictional Character: Yes
- Genre: Folklore
- Primary Setting: American Old West
- Abilities: Incredible strength, extraordinary agility, and sharp hunting skills
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418votes
ABC Television · Public domainThis frontiersman and politician from Tennessee is best known for his role in the Battle of the Alamo. He was also said to have wrestled bears and alligators with his bare hands.Davy Crockett is a legendary American folk hero known for his frontier adventures and larger-than-life persona. He is often depicted as a skilled frontiersman, hunter, and soldier, embodying the spirit of the American West.- Birthdate: August 17, 1786
- Birthplace: Greene County, Tennessee, United States
- Occupation: Frontiersman, hunter, soldier, politician
- Famous Exploits: Fought in the Texas Revolution, particularly at the Battle of the Alamo
- Nickname: King of the Wild Frontier
Davy Crockett in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous cowboy in Texas
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous frontiersman
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous hunter
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511votes
H. S. Knapp · Public domainThis legendary figure is said to have traveled across America planting apple trees and spreading goodwill wherever he went. He is often depicted wearing a pot on his head and carrying a bag of apple seeds.Johnny Appleseed is a popular tall tale in American folklore. It tells the story of a man named John Chapman, who is commonly known as Johnny Appleseed. According to the legend, Johnny Appleseed traveled across the American frontier, planting apple seeds and establishing apple orchards in various regions. He is portrayed as a kind and generous person, often pictured wearing a tin pot as a hat and carrying a bag of apple seeds. Johnny Appleseed is said to have contributed to the expansion of apple cultivation in the United States.- Origin: American folklore
- Main character: John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed)
- Role: Traveling apple seed planter
- Characteristics: Kind, generous, wears a tin pot as a hat
- Activity: Planting apple seeds and establishing orchards
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611votes
H. R. Locke · Public domainThis Wild West character was known for her sharpshooting skills and her adventurous spirit. She was also said to have been a friend and ally of Wild Bill Hickok.Calamity Jane is a legendary figure from the American Old West, often depicted as a Wild West heroine. She is celebrated as a frontier woman, an expert markswoman, and a resourceful adventurer. The character of Calamity Jane has become a part of popular culture, appearing in numerous books, movies, and folklore tales.- Nickname: Calamity Jane
- Occupation: Frontierswoman
- Notable Skills: Marksmanship, horse riding, tracking
- Adventure Stories: Acts of bravery in wild west settings
- Mythical Reputation: Exaggerated tales of daring and heroism
Calamity Jane in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous female gunslinger
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous cowgirl
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710votesThis riverboat captain was known for his boisterous personality and his incredible skill with a rifle. He was said to have won shooting contests with Davy Crockett and other legendary marksmen.Mike Fink is a larger-than-life character from American folklore, known for his exaggerated feats and boisterous personality. He is often depicted as a legendary riverboatman and an expert marksman.
- Origin: American folklore
- Occupation: Riverboatman and marksman
- Personality: Boisterous and larger-than-life
- Physical characteristics: Tall and muscular
- Feats: Exaggerated acts of strength and skill
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86votesThis sailor was known for his incredible strength and his ability to tame even the wildest of storms. He was said to have sailed a ship so large that it could plow through mountains and create its own weather.Stormalong is a legendary tall tale character in American folklore. He is said to be a giant sailor with incredible strength and the ability to single-handedly handle the largest of ships and conquer mighty sea creatures. Stormalong's stories usually involve his epic exploits at sea and his larger-than-life adventures across vast oceans.
- Height: Reported to be over 30 feet tall
- Strength: Capable of lifting entire ships and battling sea monsters
- Ship size: Known for commanding massive vessels
- Sea creatures defeated: Krakens, whales, and giant squid
- Sailing skills: Able to navigate through treacherous storms and maneuver ships with ease
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93votesThis Revolutionary War heroine was said to have fought alongside her husband on the battlefield. When he was wounded, she took up his gun and continued to fight, earning her the nickname "Molly Pitcher."Molly Pitcher is a popular tall tale character in American folklore. She is depicted as a courageous woman who provided assistance to soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
- Gender: Female
- Role: Assisting soldiers during the Revolutionary War
- Bravery: Known for her courage on the battlefield
- Symbolism: Represented the strength and determination of American women during wartime
- Actions: Bringing water to thirsty soldiers and even taking up arms in battle
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104votesThis legendary steelworker was said to have been created by the molten metal of a steel mill. He was incredibly strong and tireless, and could work all day and night without stopping.
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Ranking factors for popular tall tale
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Cultural significanceThe tale's impact on the culture or region it comes from.
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AgeTales that have been passed along for generations tend to have more significance.
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UniquenessHow different the tale is from others and how it distinguishes itself from others.
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Entertainment valueHow much the story resonates with the audience and how much people enjoy the tale.
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Memorable charactersWhether the characters become iconic and memorable in popular culture.
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Historical significanceIf the tale reflects or captures important historical moments or movements.
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Moral lessonsIf the tale teaches valuable lessons, tales with good moral values are more likely to be popular.
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Popularity outside of the original cultureTales that have been adapted or translated for different audiences, or that have found a place in popular culture beyond their origin.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular tall tale. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or story is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1702 views
- 187 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each story once every 24 hours. The rank of each story is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular tall tale
Tall tales have been a beloved form of storytelling in American culture for centuries. These exaggerated and often humorous stories typically feature larger-than-life characters and events that defy logic and common sense. Some of the most popular tall tales originated in the 19th century, when frontiersmen and cowboys spun tales of their daring exploits and encounters with mythical creatures like Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill. Today, tall tales continue to capture our imaginations and entertain us with their outlandish adventures and colorful characters. Join us as we explore the most popular tall tales of all time!
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