Trick or treat, jack-o’-lanterns, vampires and other terms associated with Halloween have origins dating all the way back to the medieval times. Dig deep to learn about five Halloween terms and symbols.

Trick or treat

Prank-playing kids pulled harmless tricks such as tipping over sheds or building gates in the streets during Halloween in the 20th century. In an effort to stop the pranks, neighborhoods hosted house-to-house parties, providing the kids with costumes and treats which became known as “trick or treating.” The phrase was first documented in Canada in 1927 and has gained popularity since.

Jack-o’-lantern

Jack, a bullying blacksmith, repeatedly tricks the devil but is later turned away from both heaven and the underworld after his death. When the devil refuses Jack entry to the underworld, he throws Jack a burning ember and tells him to wander forever. Jack puts the ember in a carved gourd to guide his way, eventually inspiring the name “jack-o’-lantern.”

Dracula

Dracula and vampires became associated with horror movies and Halloween due to themes of death in Irish author Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” which was published in 1897. Dracula was inspired by an Irish story of a little dwarf that was impossible to kill and lived off of blood.  

Witches

Witches were a symbol in Scottish poetry as early as the 1500s. Witchcraft had a long political history of being deemed evil. Witches became spooky symbols of Halloween associated with items older women might have around the house, such as a bubbling cauldron to cook in and a broom to clean the house.

Black cat

Black cats have been associated with evil and witches in folklore and literature since the medieval times. The cats were said to help witches catch mice. The color black is also related to darkness, night and obscurity.