Let me clarify, then. Folk music is what we sang at home. What we were taught at school, heard on the radio, listened to for entertainment, used to record local events (Efsee, I think mentioned The Ibrox Disaster Song recently, although there are others) and what we shared with our friends and visitors over the coal fire.
There was no need to call it Folk Music. We were the Folk who were singing the songs about our own lives and fantasies.
No disrespect to our North American neighbours but if The Kingston Trio was your family's introduction to Folk Music then you would be considered "Converts". That in no way implies that groups such as The Kingston Trio & The Spinners did little to increase interest in this form of music. Quite the opposite.
I remember the gradual change over from the John McCormick & Fr. Sidney McEwan types to the Clancy's & Dubliners and I am probably relatively young compared to many of the UK Mudcatters. I'm 52.
So: I wasn't being flippant. Folk Music is just music to me. It is the other genres which require a heading in my books.
I get so perplexed when the inevitable "What is Folk or Traditional" thread comes around. It is what it is! It's the other stuff which needs explaining and I can never find the words to explain that when it matters.
Cheers!
Jim