History & Traditions
The modern tradition of trick-or-treating become especially popular during the 20th century in this country.
The United States
John Carpenter directed this 1978 slasher film featuring masked killer Michael Myers.
Halloween
According to traditional vampire folklore, this pungent plant is used to ward off vampires.
Garlic
The surname of the three witch sisters in Hocus Pocus.
Sanderson
What is a black cat?
Before pumpkins became the preferred jack-o'-lantern, this root vegetable was traditionally carved in Ireland.
Turnips
In The Silence of the Lambs, this incarcerated serial killer helps FBI trainee Clarice Starling investigate another murderer.
Hannibal Lecter
In Irish mythology, the mournful wail of this female spirit is believed to foretell a death.
This candy was originally sold under the name “Chicken Feed” in the late 19th century.
Candy Corn
According to a common superstition, breaking one of these household objects brings seven years of bad luck.
What is a mirror?
This European country is particularly associated with the tradition of carving turnips into lanterns before pumpkins became popular.
Ireland
This German Expressionist vampire film, released in 1922, was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Nosferatu
This legendary figure, made famous by Washington Irving, rides through Sleepy Hollow.
The Headless Horseman.
The title is given to Jack Skellington in Halloween Town.
The Pumpkin King.
Traditionally hung above a doorway, this curved object is believed to attract good luck and ward off evil.
What is a horseshoe?
In the Christian calendar, Halloween is the eve of this November 1 observance.
All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day)
This director created A Nightmare on Elm Street, introducing audiences to Freddy Krueger.
Wes Craven
In Greek mythology, this three-headed dog guards the entrance to the Underworld.
Cerberus.
The name of the disembodied hand that acts as a member of the family in The Addams Family.
Thing
This expression refers to the mysterious time of night traditionally associated with supernatural activity, often said to occur around 3 a.m.
What is the witching hour?
The name of the Mexican celebration that honours deceased loved ones on November 1 and 2.
The Day of the Dead
The name of the motel where Marion Crane stays in the movie Psycho.
The Bates Motel
This fictional scientist creates a living being from assembled body parts.
Who is Victor Frankenstein?
In the original Beetlejuice film, someone must say the title character’s name this many times to summon him.
Three times
In folklore, this protective substance is sometimes scattered across thresholds or around a home to ward off evil spirits.
What is salt?