FROM Halloween parties in teen movies to dressing up and going door to door for sweets, the holiday is the epitome of spooky fun, frights and costumes.
But what if one of Halloween’s most beloved traditions actually began as a way to stop people from causing trouble?
Is this true?
Verdict:
TRUE
Halloween celebrations in North America grew during the 19th century, partly due to the Irish and Scottish immigrants who brought customs such as "guising", in which people dressed up and visited homes to ask for food or money.
By the early 20th century, however, Halloween had also become a night for pranks and mischief.
Young people would soap windows, tip over outhouses and damage property, with the problem worsening during the Great Depression of the 1930s as some pranks turned into vandalism and violence.
In response, some communities encouraged children to go door to door asking for sweets as a safer, more organised alternative to destructive pranks.
This is one explanation for the rise of modern trick-or-treating, which drew on older European customs but offered a more controlled way to celebrate.
The phrase “trick or treat” appeared in print in a Canadian newspaper in 1927, although the practice was not yet widespread across North America.
The tradition lost some of its popularity during World War II, when sugar rationing limited the supply of sweets, but made a big comeback after the war.
Today, trick-or-treating is a popular Halloween tradition, turning a night of mischief into one filled with costumes, sweets and neighbourhood fun.
Sources:
1. https://www.history.com/
2. https://www.britannica.com/
