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Trick-or-treating is about to commence. Here are some fun facts to share while you’re handing out candy:
- The word “witch” comes from an Old English word, “wicce,” meaning “wise woman.”
- Black and orange are associated with Halloween because they’re signs of autumn. Orange signifies harvest, and black alludes to darkness coming earlier.
- Jack-o-lanterns are Irish. In an Irish folktale, a man named Stingy Jack fooled the devil and was punished by being forced to walk the Earth with only a burning coal in a hollowed turnip to light his way. “Jack of the Lantern” became “Jack-o-lantern.”
- Trick-or-treating has a long history. In medieval times, children would go door to door on All Souls Day, asking for food in exchange for prayers for the inhabitants’ deceased family members.
- The most popular kids’ Halloween costume is Spider-man. According to the National Retail Federation, it’s followed by princesses, Batman, witch, ghost, pumpkin, Superman, zombie, and Avengers hero.