Abstract:
In the first part of this chapter I refer to the concept of folklore contained in the
works of Józef Burszta and recapitulate an ongoing discussion in Poland on the
subject of folklore research paying particular attention to the ambiguous and
changing way of understanding the key concept of the meaning of the text. In the
second part I analyse the selected works and concepts concerning the Internet
study of folklore (netlore, e-folklore, electronic folklore), concluding that they
are characterized by a specific duality: some researchers try to narrow down
the concept of the Internet folklore to the certain ways of expression of Internet
users (ie. jokes, urban legends, chain letters), others include within its scope all
vernacular (spontaneous, informal, unprofessional) forms of activities of Internet
users.
