Listen&Learn: Origins of Trick-or-treat

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

Learn why children ask for candy on Halloween

Pre-listening vocabulary

costume: an outfit that makes a person look like someone or something else
tradition: something that a culture practises repeatedly
ghost: the spirit of a dead person
dominant: in a position of power
pray: to speak to a god
secular: not religious

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Every year on Halloween, millions of children put on costumes and ask their for candy. This tradition began in Scotland and Ireland. The Celtic peoples who lived there celebrated their new year in the fall. They believed that at the end of the year, ghosts could travel into the land of the living. Dressing like a ghost was a way to yourself from evil. When Catholicism became the dominant in the area, the holiday became All Souls’ Day, a day to pray for the souls of the dead. However, the tradition of dress-up continued. Costumed children would knock on doors and ask for food in exchange for a prayer for dead loved ones. Over time, this practice became secular. Instead of prayers, children offered songs or tricks. Today, trick-or-treating is most common in North America, but it has also to other parts of the world.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

The Celtic holiday that led to Halloween was actually a celebration of
a. an ancient god
b. the new year
c. the stars
On All Souls’ Day, costumed children usually offered people
a. prayers for dead loved ones
b. protection from evil
c. scary stories
Today, trick-or-treating is most common in
a. North America
b. Europe
c. South America

Discussion/essay questions

Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
In some cultures, traditions about death are very serious. In others, they are more celebratory. How is death viewed in your culture?

Transcript

Every year on Halloween, millions of children put on costumes and ask their neighbours for candy. This tradition began in ancient Scotland and Ireland. The Celtic peoples who lived there celebrated their new year in the fall. They believed that at the end of the year, ghosts could travel into the land of the living. Dressing like a ghost was a way to protect yourself from evil. When Catholicism became the dominant religion in the area, the holiday became All Souls’ Day, a day to pray for the souls of the dead. However, the tradition of dress-up continued. Costumed children would knock on doors and ask for food in exchange for a prayer for dead loved ones. Over time, this practice became secular. Instead of prayers, children offered songs or “tricks.” Today, trick-or-treating is most common in North America, but it has also spread to other parts of the world.

Answers to comprehension questions

1b 2a 3a

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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13 comments

English Club Indonesia says:

I believe in astral spirits, creatures that live in a different dimension from humans. They could be the souls of dead people who roam that dimension purposelessly. In my Indonesian-Chinese culture, we have one month to offer prayers to our deceased loved ones.
Natalie says:

I don’t believe in ghost. I don’t think they exist because when you are dead, all the parts of your body are destroyed. I think it’s the same for your spirit and soul.
In my culture «Day of death» is a holyday that’s celebrated 1st november. However,cause most of people are christianism, not everyone celebrate this day because it’s considered «pratices of satanism»
Rasooli says:

This was amazing.
pepita says:

Yes, I do believe in ghosts. As our presence is not only physical (skin, blood, bones, etc.), there must be something that differentiates us as human beings, and that is our soul. This soul does not die, but it moves from one place to another.
Back in my country, people celebrate Halloween, although we have another name for this event. On this occasion, people cover their faces with masks and spend the night with family and friends, enjoying food and drinks.
I trust that many nations have this type of celebration out of respect for their loved ones who left the earth for somewhere unknown.
Long Sontarak says:

Halloween isn’t family with me in Cambodia, yet some people celebrate this tradition from their perspective international schools.
Joseph GLON says:

I never celebrate halloween
It’s not the tradition in my country
But it’s interesting to learn about other coutry’s traditions
so ienjoy to learn what is done outside
thank you for your help
A wink from France
nick says:

hi
arya says:

It was interesting.
Learning about different cultures is very exciting
DIOP says:

Thanks for this cultural paragraph. This celebration is very common in all Americas today. It´s very interesting because although is celebrating with children it refers to dead and ghosts, which is mostly understood by adults. The spiritual world is another “life” cycle in different cultures, search for Asian and African cultures too. Anyway, in the modern world this celebration moves people and the economy, which is much better than wars. Diop_
Ali says:

For free thank you.
JOÃO EMILIANO says:

It is really a good history fact to be taught. I will use it with my students. Getting in touch with culture is a good way to improve the language.
Daphney says:

I like the history but I don’t Understand the tradition
Sorry for my faults because I don’t speak English so I try !
Thanks you and very good site !
Rossana De Alba Rivera says:

Excelent–& interesting- Learn why children ask for candy on Halloween