All Hallow’s Eve: the origins of trick or treat

Do you know how Halloween began?

If the answer is ‘no’ to this question then look no further as you are in for a treat!

Halloween is celebrated all over the world on 31st October and in countries such as the USA, it is a popular holiday with many people dressing up in fancy dress, decorating their homes, children going door to door ‘trick or treating‘ and carving pumpkins.

An image of the frontage of a haunted house. Several ghosts are hanging up, as well as netting and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling. There are three pumpkins at the front and orange lights which add to the spooky atmosphere. A woman carrying an umbrella is walking past in front.

However, have you ever wondered how it all began?

All Hallow’s Eve (the original Halloween) began many, many years ago. The tradition actually started back with the Celts over 2000 years ago. The Celtic festival was originally called Samhain. The Celts believed that on this day the veil between the spirit world and the real world was very thin and therefore the spirits of the dead found it easier to cross over into the world.

To celebrate this festival they built huge bonfires, wore costumes and told each other fortunes.

Image of a bonfire burning brightly. The background is pitch black as it is night time.

Eventually, the Romans and Christianity came to the U.K and the beliefs from the different cultures blended all together. The tradition of Samhain became the Christian All Souls Day on 1st November. The night before (31st October) was known as All Hallow’s Eve which over time became known as Halloween.

Have you ever heard the expression ‘trick or treat‘?

You may think this practice of going door to door and saying ‘trick or treat‘ began in modern America but in fact the tradition started in medieval England. People on All Saints Day or All Souls Day would knock on their neighbours’ houses to offer a prayer or song in exchange for some food.

Only in modern day did it become the tradition to offer chocolate and sweets to trick or treaters (children dressed in costumes asking for sweets).

Wearing costumes and fancy dress also started with the Celts as a way to scare away evil spirits that might be ready to pounce from the shadows.

When did people start carving pumpkins though?

This tradition started in the US. Originally the Irish Celts carved turnips with scary faces. When they went over to the States in the 19th century though they found carving into pumpkins easier than turnips. Pumpkins were also easier to grow so the tradition began to carve those scary faces in this root vegetable. All to make sure the mythical spirit Jack stayed clear of the celebrations. This is where the name ‘jack o’lantern’ for these carved pumpkins comes from.

Two carved pumpkins on a mantelpiece. Both pumpkins are carved with spooky, menacing faces and they are lit up and glowing from inside.

So there you have it: the scary origins of Halloween! Although nowadays it is highly commercial, especially in the US, its humble beginnings were with the Celts in the U.K.

Have a happy Halloween from Intrepid English!

Have you checked out our Halloween Idioms post from a couple of years ago? Download your free Halloween Idioms worksheet at the blog post right here.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for a spooky halloween special Ask Us Anything live lesson on YouTube! 👀