Halloween is one of the most beloved (and
bedeviling) occasions of the year. Halloween is that one special night of the
year when all of the spooky specters and menacing monsters come out to give
everybody a severe case of the heebie-jeebies—and eat a ton of candy! Halloween
isn’t just a great night for scares and sweets, though, as it also plays host
to a ton of awesome words. Here are a
dozen of our favorite Halloween-related words that help to make October 31 such
an eerie and spectacular day of the year. Personally, I would like to send my heartfelt
prayers and condolences to those who lost their lives and their loved ones at a
Halloween event held in the street of Itaewon, South Korea in the year of 2022.
1.
_________________’s Eve is another name for
Halloween. Although Halloween is not a religious holiday, it occurs the night
before the Christian holiday of All Saint’s Day held on November 1. In fact,
the name Halloween is a shortening of __________________’s Eve, which is a day
to honor all of the Christian saints.
2.
“____________ or ___________!” This thinly-veiled
threat is said by children in the hopes of getting candy (a treat) with the
implication that they will play a prank (a trick) on a candyless homeowner. Of
course, costumed children say this phrase even if they don’t plan to prank
anyone. And this phrase also refers to the act of wearing a Halloween costume
while going door to door to ask for candy.
3.
Traditionally, the meanest, cruelest tricks
are reserved for the unfortunate souls who give out ______________________, an
often controversial candy. It’s not corn, it’s debatably candy—so what is it?
(And what’s your take on the other great food debates?) Like most candy, ________________________
is mostly made out of sugar and corn syrup. Other ingredients usually include
vanilla flavoring or marshmallow creme.
4.
A ______________________________ is a
hollowed out pumpkin that has a face carved into it with a candle inside. But
just who is the Jack in jack-o’-lantern? According to one particular Irish
legend, they are named after a character named Stingy Jack. Long story short,
Stingy Jack liked to play tricks on the Devil, who got his revenge once Jack
died. Jack was cursed to wander the dark night with only a candle to light his
way, which he carried in a lantern carved out of vegetables. This ghostly
wanderer was called “________________________” Spooky!
5.
Awoooooo!~~ A _______________ is a human
being that has turned into a wolf (or wolf monster) and is usually capable of
frequently transforming between man and beast. The word comes from the Old
English werwulf, which is a combination of the word wer, meaning “man,” and
wulf, meaning “wolf.”
6.
The word _______________ can refer to an evil
spirit, a demon, or any wicked creature or person. Sometimes, it is
specifically used to refer to Satan, the Devil himself. Yikes! Sometimes,
though, this word is used informally to mean someone is addicted to something
or is really interested in it. For example, someone might be called a coffee ________________
or a poker _______________.
7.
If you see something scary, you can shout _______________________________to
express your shock or terror. This exclamation is actually an altering of the
name Jesus Christ.
8.
Watch out that a witch doesn’t put a spell on
you. ____________-_____________ is a phrase that is chanted when casting spells
or hexes, similar to words like abracadabra or alakazam. This can also refer to
trickery, deception, or parlor tricks.
*Source from dictionary.com
Answer Keys
1. Allhallow’s
Eve
2. Trick
or treat!
3. Candy
corn
4. Jack-o-lantern
5. Werewolf
6. Fiend
7. Jeepers
creepers
8. Hocus-pocus
