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Home , Apple bobbing, Halloween

ENGLISH ROSE LEARNING TRICK OR TREATS?

Children wear and go to people’s homes

saying it to ask for sweets on 31st. Get ready!

2 In this lesson you’ll learn about:

Halloween’s history

Popular Halloween traditions

Halloween around the world

Terrifying tales

3 The Fascinating History of Halloween DID YOU KNOW?

One quarter alloween falls on October 31st each year that, the spirits would think they were also dead and of all the in North America and other parts of the not harm them. sold annually in the world. What do you know about U.S. is purchased for HHalloween? Do you celebrate it in your The tradition of Halloween was carried to America by Halloween. country? Here is a little history about it. the immigrating Europeans. Some of the traditions changed a little, though. For example, on Halloween Like many other holidays, Halloween has evolved and in Europe some people would carry lanterns made changed throughout history. Over 2,000 years ago from turnips. In America, were more people called the lived in what is now , common. So people began putting candles inside the UK, and parts of Northern France. November 1 them and using them as lanterns. That is why you see was their New Year's . They believed that the Jack 'o lanterns today. night before the New Year () was a time when the living and the dead came together. These days Halloween is not usually considered a religious holiday. It is primarily a fun day for children. More than a thousand years ago the Christian Children dress up in costumes like people did a holy (adj)- sacred, very good, related to religion. named November 1 All Day (also called All thousand years ago. But instead of worrying about comes from the word holy. .) This was a special holy day to honor the spirits, they go from house to house. They knock saints and other people who died for their religion. on doors and say "trick or treat." The owner of each (n)- an honored, holy person The night before All Hallows was called Hallows Eve. house gives candy or something special to each trick evil (adj)- very, very bad Later the name was changed to Halloween. or treater.

lantern (n)- lamp or enclosed light that can be Like the Celts, the Europeans of that time also Vocabulary carried around believed that the spirits of the dead would visit the earth on Halloween. They worried that evil spirits turnip (n)- a purple and white vegetable that grows in to evolve (v)- to change little by little the ground would cause problems or hurt them. So on that night people wore costumes that looked like or spirit (n)- , some people believe the spirit and other evil creatures. They thought if they dressed like body separate when a person dies

4 Popular Halloween Jack O'Lantern

What’s the Origin of Jack-O’-Lanterns? that the devil couldn’t shift back to his original form. a tradition of the British Isles, and carved-out turnips, Jack eventually let the devil loose, but made him beets, and potatoes were stuffed with coal, wood

he term "jack-o'-lantern" was first applied promise that he wouldn’t seek revenge on Jack, and embers, or candles as impromptu lanterns to to people, not pumpkins. As far back as wouldn’t claim his soul when he died. celebrate the fall harvest. As a prank, kids would 1663, the term meant a man with a lantern, sometimes wander off the road with a glowing veggie or a night watchman. Just a decade or so Later, Jack irked the devil again by convincing him to to trick their friends and travelers into thinking they T climb up a tree to pick some , then carved a cross were or another lost soul. In America, later, it began to be used to refer to the mysterious lights sometimes seen at night over bogs, swamps, in the trunk so that the devil couldn’t climb back pumpkins were easy enough to come by and good and marshes. down (apparently, the devil is a sucker). Jack freed for carving, and got absorbed both into the carved him again, on the condition that the devil once again lantern tradition and the associated prank. Over time,

These ghostlights—variously called jack-o’-lanterns, not take revenge and not claim Jack’s soul. kids refined the prank and began carving crude faces hinkypunks, hobby lanterns, corpse candles, into the pumpkins to kick up the fright factor and lights, will-o'-the-wisps, and fool's fire—are created When Stingy Jack eventually died, God would not make the lanterns look like disembodied heads. By when gases from decomposing plant matter ignite as allow him into heaven, and the devil, keeping his the mid-1800s, Stingy Jack’s nickname was applied they come into contact with electricity or heat or as word, rejected Jack’s soul at the gates of hell. to the prank lanterns that echoed his own they oxidize. For centuries before this scientific Instead, the devil gave him a single burning coal to lamp, and the pumpkin jack-o’-lantern got its name. explanation was known, people told stories to explain light his way and sent him off into the night to “find his the mysterious lights. In Ireland, dating as far back as own hell.” Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip Toward the end of the 19th century, jack-o’-lanterns the 1500s, those stories often revolved around a guy and has supposedly been roaming the earth with it went from just a trick to a standard seasonal named Jack. ever since. In Ireland, the ghost lights seen in the decoration, including at a high-profile 1892 Halloween swamps were said to be Jack’s improvised lantern hosted by the mayor of Atlanta. In one of the

As the story goes, Stingy Jack—often described as a moving about as his restless soul wandered the earliest instances of the jack-o’-lantern as Halloween blacksmith—invited the devil to join him for a drink. countryside. He and the lights were dubbed "Jack of decor, the mayor’s wife had several pumpkins—lit Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for the drinks from his the Lantern," or "Jack O'Lantern." from within and carved with faces—placed around own pocket, and convinced the devil to turn himself the party, ending Jack O’Lantern’s days of wandering, into a that could be used to settle the tab. The legend immigrated to the new world with the and beginning his yearly reign over America’s The devil did so, but Jack skipped out on the bill and Irish, and it collided with another old world tradition windowsills and front porches. kept the devil-coin in his pocket with a silver cross so and a new world crop. Making vegetable lanterns was 5 Popular Halloween -bobbing

obbing for apples has been an children and adults at Halloween . Today, some In Ireland, mainly County Kerry, it is known as "Snap tradition for hundreds of years. Despite its parents may keep their kids away from the tub of Apple", and in Newfoundland and Labrador, "Snap presence at Halloween parties and apples for fear of spreading germs, but bobbing for Apple Night" is a synonym for Halloween. Bfestivals today, however, its origins are apples is a comparatively safe tradition when more rooted in love and romance than tricks and compared to another old apple-centric Halloween To learn more about this game you can also watch treats. In fact, it began as a British courting ritual, pastime: Snap Apple. In the game of Snap Apple, an this video: popular among young ladies and their potential apple was speared on one end of a stick while a lit beaus. There were several variations of game: In one candle was fixed at the other end. The stick was spun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeW97u00aBo set of rules, each apple was assigned to a potential around, and the participants’ goal was to take a bite mate. The bobber would then attempt to bite into the of the apple, avoiding a face full of hot candle wax— apple named for the young man she desired. If it only definitely not a game to play with kids! took her one try, they were destined for romance. If she succeeded with her second attempt, he would How to play ? court her but their love would fade. If it took three

tries, their relationship was doomed. Another Apple bobbing, also known as bobbing for apples, is approach to the game was a race to be the first to a game often played on Halloween. bite an apple; the first to emerge successful would be

the first to marry. A related suggested The game is played by filling a tub or a large basin that if a girl put the apple she had bitten underneath with water and putting apples in the water. Because her pillow, she would see her future soul mate in her apples are less dense than water, they will float at the dreams that night. surface. Players then try to catch one with their teeth.

Eventually, the game declined in popularity, and by In , this may be called “dooking”. In northern the 1800s, it was common only in Ireland and certain England, the game is often called apple areas of England. At the end of the century, though, ducking or duck-apple. Americans exploring their immigrant roots decided to

bring back this Celtic fall tradition as a game for both In Wales, it is known as "Twco Fale" (Apple Ducking). 6 Popular Halloween Trick-or-treating

o other time during the year is a knock dressing up as dark creatures and performing antics Trick-or-treating and other Halloween on the front door from a total stranger, in exchange for food and drink. Mumming, as this customs were brought to North America disguised in a no less, custom was known, is thought to be the antecedent by waves of Irish Immigrants fleeing famines in the Nwelcome, as he asks for treats – except for trick-or-treating. early 1900s. But trick-or-treating didn’t reach on Halloween. Though trick-or-treating has a kid- popularity until late 1950s. Once it did, candy centric focus (what child doesn’t like candy and Christian and Medieval Roots companies and costume manufacturers capitalized costumes?), harvesting sweets by going door to door on the lucrative tradition, expanding the selection of has become a custom observed nationwide and in had spread into Celtic lands by the ninth disguises for kids and adults beyond to many other countries as well by both the young and century. Celebrations in England of All Saint’s Day, a include everything from cartoon heroes to celebrities. mature alike (what grown up doesn’t like candy and time of honoring Christians martyred for their faith, Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion costumes?). But what many don’t realize is that trick- resembled Celtic commemorations of , preparing for Halloween customs like trick-or-treating, or-treating is a relatively new custom. It’s only about where poor people would visit the houses of wealthier making it the nation’s second-largest commercial 100 years old.Ancient Celtic Roots families and receive pastries called soul in holiday. exchange for a promise to pray for the souls of the Trick-or-treating has its roots in both a pre-Christian homeowners’ dead relatives. This practice, known as As our culture continues to evolve, so will our holiday Celtic tradition called Samhain, and in the Christian souling, was later adopted by children who went door festivities. We’ll probably celebration of All Saint’s Day. The Celts, who lived to door asking for gifts such as food, money and ale. never go back to the days 2,000 years ago in what is now Ireland, the United of poem recitations in Kingdom and northern France, believed the dead In Scotland and Ireland, young people took part in a exchange for walnuts and returned to earth on Samhain, which was celebrated similar tradition called guising, where they dressed up grapes, but the creative on the night of October 31. It is thought that people in costume and accepted offerings from various a s p e c t s o f t h o s e would gather to light bonfires, offer sacrifices and pay households. But rather than praying for the dead, traditions of yore sound respects to the dead. they would sing a song, recite a poem, tell a joke or like so much fun. So what perform tricks before collecting their treat, which back if this Halloween, before During these celebrations, villagers disguised then consisted of a healthier variety like and we head out to knock on our neighbors’ doors, we themselves in costumes to drive away phantom nuts. choreograph our own Halloween dances or make up ghosts, and laid food out on banquet tables to pacify a little ditty to honor those old traditions in our own unwelcome spirits. The ritual later evolved to include Halloween in America creative ways? 7 Halloween around Europe

Europe Greece Ireland

Over the years, Halloween has become more Halloween is a working day in Greece and it was not On Halloween night, adults and children dress up as successful in Europe and has been partially ousting mass celebrated until the early 2000s. ghosts, ghouls, zombies, witches, and goblins, light some older customs like the Rübengeistern [de] bonfires, and enjoy spectacular fireworks displays – (English: turnip ghosts, beet spirit), Martinisingen, Halloween has been increasing in popularity during in particular, the city of is home to the largest and others. the 2010s, as a commercial and secular celebration. organized Halloween celebration on the island, in the form of a street and fireworks display. Germany Since it is a working day is not always celebrated on Games are often played, such as bobbing for the 31st of October but the last weekend before All apples, in which apples, , and other nuts Halloween was not generally observed in Germany Hallow's Eve unless Halloween is on a weekend. It and fruit and some small are placed in a basin prior to the 1990s, but has been increasing in has been associated with the influence of the of water.Everyone takes turns catching as many popularity. It has been associated with the influence western culture. Bars, nightclubs and fun parks items possible using only their mouths. Another of United States culture, and "Trick or Treating" (in organise Halloween parties for adults and young common game involves the hands-free eating of an German, "Süßes sonst gibt's Saures") has been adults. Trick or treating is not widely popular apple hung on a string attached to the ceiling. occurring in various German cities, especially in because similar celebrations are common during Games of are also played at Halloween. areas such as the Dahlem neighborhood in Berlin, carnival in villages and the country side. which was part of the American zone during the 31 October is the busiest day of the year for the Cold War. Today, Halloween in Germany brings in The rise of popularity for Halloween influenced Services.[58] Bangers and fireworks are

200 million euros a year, through multiple industries. popularity in many Balkan countries like Albania, illegal in the ; however, they are Bulgaria, North Macedonia along with Cyprus where commonly smuggled in from where Halloween is celebrated by both children and adults. Greek retailers are selling Halloween merchandise in they are legal.Bonfires are frequently built around Adults celebrate at themed costume parties and late September every year. Halloween.[60] Trick-or-treating is popular amongst clubs, while children go trick or treating. Complaints children on 31 October and Halloween parties and of vandalism associated with Halloween "Tricks" are events are commonplace. increasing, particularly from many elderly Germans unfamiliar with "Trick or Treating”.

8 Halloween around Europe

United Kingdom and Crown dependencies

England as a Scottish shortening of the fuller All-Hallow- A traditional Halloween game includes apple Even, that is, the night before All Hallows' Day.[90] "dooking",[95] or "dunking" or (i.e., retrieving one In the past, on All Souls' Eve families would stay up Dumfries poet John Mayne's 1780 poem made note from a bucket of water using only one's mouth), and late, and little "soul cakes" were eaten. At the stroke of pranks at Halloween "What fearfu' pranks attempting to eat, while blindfolded, a treacle/jam- of midnight, there was solemn silence among ensue!". Scottish poet was influenced coated hanging on a piece of string. households, which had candles burning in every by Maynes composition, and portrayed some of the room to guide the souls back to visit their earthly customs in his poem Halloween (1785).[91] Traditional customs and lore include divination homes and a glass of wine on the table to refresh According to Burns, Halloween is "thought to be a practices, ways of trying to predict the future. A them. The tradition of giving soul cakes that night when witches, devils, and other mischief- traditional Scottish form of divining one's future originated in Great Britain and Ireland was known as making beings are all abroad on their baneful spouse is to carve an apple in one long strip, then souling, often seen as the origin of modern trick or midnight errands".[92] toss the peel over one's shoulder. The peel is treating in North America, and souling continued in believed to land in the shape of the first letter of the parts of England as late as the 1930s, with children Among the earliest record of Guising at Halloween in future spouse's name. going from door to door singing songs and saying Scotland is in 1895, where masqueraders in prayers for the dead in return for cakes or money.[88] disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped out turnips, visit homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit Trick or treating and other Halloween celebrations and money.[93] If children approached the door of a Halloween is a popular traditional occasion on the are extremely popular, with shops decorated with house, they were given offerings of food. The Isle of Man, where it is known as Hop-tu-Naa. witches and pumpkins, and young people attending children's practice of "guising", going from door to costume parties. door in costumes for food or coins, is a traditional Halloween custom in Scotland.[3] These days Scotland children who knock on their neighbours doors have to sing a song or tell stories for a gift of sweets or The name Halloween is first money.[94] attested in the 16th century

9 Scary Storie

Hairy Toe

Once there was an old woman who went out in the woods to dig up some roots to cook for dinner. She spotted something funny sticking out of the leaves and dug around until she uncovered a great big hairy toe. There was some good meat on that toe which would make a real tasty dinner, so the old woman put it in her basket and took it home.

When she got back to her cottage, the old woman boiled up a kettle-full of hairy toe soup, which she ate for dinner that night. It was the best meal she'd had in weeks! The old woman went to bed that night with a full stomach and a big smile.

Along about midnight, a cold wind started blowing in the tops of the trees around the old woman's house. A large black cloud crept over the moon and from the woods a hollow voice rumbled: "Hairy toe! Hairy toe! I want my hairy toe!" Inside the house, the old woman stirred uneasily in her bed and nervously pulled the covers up over her ears.

From the woods there came a stomp-stomp-stomping noise as the wind whistled and jerked at the treetops. In the clearing at the edge of the forest, a hollow voice said: "Hairy toe! Hairy toe! I want my hairy toe!" Inside the house, the old woman shuddered and turned over in her sleep.

A stomp, stomp, stomping sound came from the garden path outside the cottage. The night creatures shivered in their burrows as a hollow voice howled: "Hairy toe! Hairy toe! I want my hairy toe!" Inside the house, the old woman snapped awake. Her whole body shook with fright as she listened to the angry howling in her garden. Jumping out of bed, she ran to the door and barred it. Once the cottage was secure, she lay back down to sleep.

Suddenly, the front door of the cottage burst open with a bang, snapping the bar in two and sending it flying into the corners of the room. There came the stomp, stomp, stomping noise of giant feet walking up the stairs. Peeping out from under the covers, the old woman a massive figure filling her doorway. It said: "Hairy toe! Hairy toe! I want my hairy toe!"

The old woman sat bolt upright in terror and shouted: "I ATE your hairy toe!"

"Yes, you did," the giant figure said very gently as it advanced into the room.

No one living in the region ever saw the old woman again. The only clue to her disappearance was a giant footprint a neighbor found pressed deep into the loose soil of the meadow beside the house. The footprint was missing the left big toe.

10 This lesson content was excerpted from:

American Website

Wikipedia

5 Minutes English Website

Good House Keeping Website

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