folk
folk / fōk/ (also folks) • pl. n. 1. inf. people in general: some folk will do anything for money an old folks' home. ∎ a specified group of people: some city folk cringe at the notion of consuming these birds. ∎ (folks) used as a friendly form of address to a group of people: meanwhile, folks, why not relax and enjoy the show? ∎ (one's folks) the members of one's family, esp. one's parents: I get along all right with your folks.2. folk music: a mixture of folk and reggae.• 1. adj. of or relating to the traditional art or culture of a community or nation: a revival of interest in folk customs a folk museum. ∎ relating to or originating from the beliefs and opinions of ordinary people: a folk hero folk wisdom.2. of or relating to folk music: performing at a folk club in Chicago.PHRASES: just (plain) folks ordinary, down-to-earth, unpretentious people.
folk
Hence folk-lore, folk-song XIX. From XIV the pl. folks has been used, and since XVII is the ordinary form, the sing. being arch. or dial.