Halloween-Trick or Treat History in America
Origins and Variations of Trick or Treating in the US
Sep 24, 2009
Some historians believe that Halloween trick or treating can be traced all the way back to the middle ages and descended to America through European immigration. Others maintain there is no evidence of a direct line of succession from medieval practices to modern day Halloween customs.
Origins of Trick or Treat
Europeans immigrating to the U.S. brought a history with them that includes the Celtic celebration of Samhain (pr. sow-wen) from 2,000 years ago. Samhain meant "summer's end," the transition between light and dark seasons, and the beginning of the new Celtic year.
Through the Church's influence, Samhain, a pagan celebration, became Hallowmas, All Saints Day, to honor the souls of the dead of the previous year. On All Hallows Eve, children went from door to door and asked for gifts of food ("soul cakes") in return for prayers for the dead, who on the Eve were thought to be separated from the living by no more than a veil.
Trick or treating clearly resembles the medieval practice of "souling." Similarly, the practice of "mumming," dressing up, singing, and making mischief on Hallows Eve, are akin to modern day Halloween costumes and revelry.
But is Trick or Treating a European Tradition?
Not exactly, it seems. The English and Scots-Irish immigrated to America between 1700 and the late 1880's. Yet the practice of children being rewarded with treats on Halloween wasn't reported until 1911, in Canada. The term "trick or treat" didn't appear until 1927, from Blackie, Alberta, Canada, and wasn't used in the U.S. until 1934. So trick or treating in America, while most likely influenced by medieval traditions brought over by immigrants, is not a direct descendant of them.
Halloween: Trick or Treating in America
On the other hand, there are many early mentions of mischief makers on Halloween in America. Dating from the late 1880's, there were reports of tricksters committing pranks on Halloween such as soaping windows and more serious vandalism. The earliest known reference to "trick or treat," was in an article in The Oregon Journal, November 1, 1934 entitled "Halloween Pranks Keep Police on Hop:"
"Other young goblins and ghosts, employing modern shakedown methods, successfully worked the 'trick or treat' system in all parts of the city."
"Beggars' Night" in Des Moines, Iowa
In 1941, Des Moines found a way to address the problem of rowdy tricksters. First, they established Beggars' Night, to be celebrated on October 30 instead of Hallows Eve. Next, they redefined the meaning of trick and treat. Children went door to door and said "tricks for eats." But instead of getting a treat or playing a trick, children received "eats," if they performed a trick. The trick could be a song, a poem or other type of performance.
The next year, Beggars' Night was promoted to help the war effort. On October 29, 1942, The Des Moines Register carried the headline "Kids!-Don't Help the Axis on Halloween." That was over 50 years ago. Today, the "trick" is to tell a joke or riddle, such as:
"Why didn't the skeleton cross the road? He didn't have any guts," or
"A mushroom walks into a bar. 'You'll have to leave,' the bartender says. 'We don't allow mushrooms in here.' "Why not?" asked the mushroom. "I'm a fungi."
Halloween Night: Back as Before
Ohio, Massachussetts, and St. Louis, MIssouri developed the same alternative of Beggars' Night, jokes and all. In recent years, however, the trend is in having Beggar's Night on Halloween again. So, the term Beggars' Night has been diminished as it has gravitated back to its original place in the scheme of things.
The origins of "trick or treat" reflect a past that may reach all the way back to ancient roots of Samhain, and rituals of souling and mumming. There must be something compelling about the demarcation of summer from the darker part of the year, as well as the Eve that ushers it in. Whatever else may change about the way trick or treat is celebrated, this mysterious time of year continues to stir the imagination, and maybe something deeper. Whatever resonates in us today may be what resonated those many years ago among our ancestors, the Celts.
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