Learn the origin, usage and examples of the phrase "trick or treat" in the context of Halloween. Find out how to cite, share and explore related words and articles on Merriam-Webster.com.

What Does "Trick or Treat" Mean? By the mid-20th century, Halloween traditions closely resembled the ones you follow - parties, haunted houses, dressing up in popular costumes, and scaring people around your neighborhood. Central to the late-October celebration was - and is - trick-or-treating.

A number of Halloween practices come from the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain combined with later Christian influence. The term 'trick-or-treat' though remains mysterious. Read on for more on the origins of this candy gathering tradition.

Get the scoop on when trick-or-treating starts (and when to call it a night), when the Halloween tradition began—and why we still say, "Trick or treat!"

Learn how trick-or-treating, the practice of dressing up and asking for treats on Halloween, has its roots in ancient Celtic, Christian and British traditions. Discover how it became a popular and commercialized custom in the United States and other countries.

Learn how the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain evolved into the modern Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating, from medieval Europe to 20th century America. Discover the origins of the phrase "trick or treat" and how it changed over time.

By the 1930s, North America had a new term for the old tradition: trick-or-treating. And as suburbanization grew in the 1950s, trick-or-treating grew into the kid-friendly practice it’s...