What is an Anecdote?

Today’s topic is a word some of you might have heard before anecdote. It has an intriguing ring to it. Interestingly, I even have a dedicated category for it on my website. But what does this word mean to deserve its very own category?

Where Does the Word “Anecdote” Come From?

The word “anecdote” entered our language( Turkish) from French (anecdote), and if we trace its origins further, it stems from Ancient Greek. In Greek, it means “unpublished story” or “gossip.”

What Does Anecdote Mean?

In its simplest definition, an anecdote is a brief story, a joke, or a legend. We might even call them little tales. It can also signify a memoir or a narrative. The Turkish literature website defines it as follows:
“A part of a literary work that presents a self-contained story. It also carries the meanings of a short story, joke, or legend.”

According to Cambridge:

“a short, often funny story, especially about something someone has done“

“Passed down from ear to ear, anecdotes are often remembered for their exquisite and succinct humor.”
– H. Taner

Let’s Give Some Examples

On a day when autumn’s presence was deeply felt, a student at one of the country’s most prestigious universities was walking along the path, lost in thought. His mind, burdened with countless worries, was so preoccupied that he accidentally bumped into a man coming from the opposite direction. Startled, he quickly realized what had happened and apologized with a brief explanation:

— “I’m sorry, I was thinking about a question that puzzled me on the exam. I also had to study for another test, so I was rushing. My apologies again.”

The man, with a kind and fatherly demeanor, replied:

— “No problem. I was a student once too. But why all the rush, young man? Look around you—everyone is either enjoying time with their friends or with their loved ones. Have you ever noticed your surroundings? Autumn has arrived. Just look at these beautiful trees and their harmony of colors. Breathe in this fresh air. You’ve become so focused on your exams that you’ve stopped seeing the beauty and stopped savoring life.”

The student, initially thinking, “What nonsense is this man talking about?” suddenly paused and looked around. Indeed, everyone seemed so cheerful, even though it was exam season. Was he the only one taking everything so seriously, to the point of obsession? Perhaps the man was right. He thanked him and continued on his way—but this time, he walked while admiring the trees and inhaling the crisp, fresh air.

“When constructing London’s iconic Big Ben in the mid-19th Century, the first bell cracked during testing, leading to a delay of four years before a replacement bell was mounted and the clock started working.”

“Benjamin Franklin, known for his experiments with electricity, once flew a kite during a thunderstorm, leading to the groundbreaking discovery of electrical charges in the atmosphere. This daring endeavor showcased his inventive spirit and curiosity, leaving a lasting impact on science.”

References

• http://anecdote. (2024). https://dictionary.cambridge.org/tr/s%C3%B6zl%C3%BCk/ingilizce/anecdote
• https://helpfulprofessor.com/anecdote-examples/
• https://www.turkedebiyati.org/anekdot-nedir/

Further reading( Turkish):

https://abdurrahmanatabas.net.tr/nefret/