EN
This article explores the genre of contemporary legends, which has gained traction in Slovak folklore studies since the turn of the millennium. Despite some efforts, research in this area has not yet evolved into a systematic framework. I describe the initial hopes associated with this research and look for possible causes of stagnation and prospects for the future. My starting points will be my own (already existing or planned) research attempts and the activities of my colleagues. The text highlights the growth of research in this genre within an international context, focusing not only on influential figures from Western Europe and the USA but also on the contributions of Central European scholars, notably Czech expert Petr Janeček. It revisits significant paradigmatic shifts and trends in verbal folklore studies in Slovak and international milieu. As a case study for further interdisciplinary exploration, I present a wartime rumour about a local ghost that was spread through both oral communication and media reports. Finally, I reflect on the possibilities for reviving interest in the study of modern verbal folklore, emphasising the importance of addressing the current unsatisfactory state of research.