by Katbar

Created on: October 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 26, 2008

The definition of treat or treating in the dictionary is to engage in the practice of asking for treats on Halloween and threatening to play tricks on those who refuse.

There are quite a few different origins to trick or treating. In the middle or dark ages in Britain the Catholic Church approved the act of souling or begging for special treats called "soulcakes". The homeowners gave the peasants soul cakes that were usually made from oat or barley. In return the homeowners believed they received protection and prosperity for their kindness. The "souler" or givers would say a prayer for the dead. Some stories say that the custom of an Irish peasant collecting money and food in preparation of St Columbus Day started the trick or treat trend. If the peasant didn't receive a treat the peasant would play a trick on the homeowner.

There was also a Celtic festival called Samhan which was celebrated on November 1st. It was a celebration of the end of the harvest season when the ancients Celts had completed stocking up for the winter. Witches and other evil spirits were believed to roam freely during the evening. Offerings were made to appease the spirits. They believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved. The dead became dangerous to the living by causing sickness and crop damage. Costumes and masks were worn during these times to make the evil spirits happy.

The name Halloween is a shortened version of medieval England's All Hallows' Eve. It was all Saints Day, Feast of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches... In Northern European Pagan traditions it was a day of religious festivities until it was moved by Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV to May thirteenth.

In the American West housewives would give Children candy so they would not be tricked. Trick or treating did not start there until the late thirties. The trend was started after children's' books and TV shows depicted trick or treating.

The carved pumpkin originated in Europe. Lanterns were first carved from vegetables like a turnip or rutabaga. The name of Jack-o-Lantern can be traced back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack. This person played one too many tricks on the devil. He made the devil promise not to take his soul when he died. True to his word when Stingy Jack died God would not allow him entry to Heaven and when Stingy Jack tried to enter Hell the devil would not accept him. He was sent out into the dark night forever roaming the Earth with his turnip lantern and a lump of coal to light his way.

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