WORLD OF WEIRD · HALLOWEEN
The Tricks, Treats & Truths of Halloween
From candy with a barnyard past to a real danger hiding behind the costumes, Halloween has surprises beyond the spooky stuff.
Halloween is the night when knocking on strangers' doors to ask for candy is completely normal. But the stories behind the holiday are even stranger than the costumes.
Jack-o'-lanterns started with turnips
In Ireland and Scotland, people carved lanterns from turnips and other vegetables before pumpkins became the American favorite. A carved turnip can look downright terrifying. Learn more about the tradition.
Candy corn had a chicken-feed identity
Candy corn dates to the late 1800s and was once sold under the name “Chicken Feed,” with a rooster on the packaging. No, it wasn't actually for chickens. Explore the candy's history.
Bats aren't blind
That familiar saying is misleading. Bats can see, and many also use echolocation to find their way. Most bat species don't drink blood, either. Bat Conservation International explains.
Trick-or-treating has more than one origin
Modern trick-or-treating grew from several customs, including guising and door-to-door visits. The American candy-centered version became widespread during the twentieth century. Read the history.
Keep the scares pretend
Drivers can slow down, put phones away and watch carefully for children crossing streets. Trick-or-treaters can use sidewalks, cross at intersections and carry lights or reflective accessories. The best Halloween story is one where everybody makes it home.
Sources: JAMA Pediatrics (2018), historical pedestrian fatality analysis; History.com, jack-o'-lantern and trick-or-treat origins; Bat Conservation International. Historical risk comparisons are not current-year crash statistics.