noun
story; topic of conversation; legendary tale
Refers to a story or event that is widely talked about, often over a long period, becoming a legendary or proverbial topic. Commonly used in phrases like 語り草になる (to become the talk of the town).
彼の冒険は今でも村の語り草になっている。
His adventure is still a topic of conversation in the village.
あの事件は語り草として語り継がれている。
That incident has been passed down as a legendary story.
話題 is a general term for a topic or subject of conversation, while 語り草 implies a story that is repeatedly told and has become legendary or proverbial.
伝説 is a formal term for a legend or traditional story, whereas 語り草 is more colloquial and refers to a story that is commonly talked about in everyday life.
Compound of 語り (kataru, 'to talk') + 草 (kusa, 'grass'), originally meaning 'grass for talking' or 'material for stories'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely developed from the idea of 'fodder for conversation'.