Candy
If you're in the mood for the taste of tripe, grass, earwax, and vomit, why not buy a box of these popular Wizarding World treats?
What are:
Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans
Also known as 'Allhallowtide,' the word 'Halloween' is an adapted contraction of this phrase, which describes a Christian observance in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead.
What is:
All Hallows' Eve
or
All Saints' Eve
A red ballon; a goofy outfit; a twisted smile. Created by Stephen King, this might be the scariest pronoun of all!
Who/What is:
IT
or
Pennywise the Dancing Clown
He wants to suck your blood! He is also the main character of this 1897 horror novel by Bram Stoker.
Who/What is:
Dracula
Black and white stripes; dark, hollow eyes, and rotting flesh? You must be dressed up as this movie character, also known as 'The Ghost with the Most' (don't say his name three times!)
Who is:
Beetlejuice
This colorful staple of Halloween was originally known as 'Chicken Feed.' Put them together in a specific way and you'll end up with a whole 'ear.'
What is:
Candy Corn
This game, involving a vat of water and fruit, was originally a fortune-telling game: the first person to successfully collect fruit would be the first to marry.
What is:
Bobbing For Apples
She's a lifelike doll, a marvel of artificial intelligence, and an awesome dancer. Just don't come between her and her child companion.
Who is:
M3GAN
"I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture—a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold" says the narrator of this Edgar Allan Poe story.
What is:
The Tell-Tale Heart
You will need two people working together if you want to dress up as this cowboy companion for Halloween.
What is:
A horse
This sour candy sounds like it might be nuclear — INCOMING!
What are:
Warheads
This tradition, based on the centuries-old folktale of Stingy Jack, was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants in the 19th century.
What is:
Jack-o-Lanterns
or
Carving pumpkins
Trick-or-treating on Halloween, yes; presents ... hmmm. Linus spends all night standing in the pumpkin patch waiting for him. It's this character, Charlie Brown!
Who is:
The Great Pumpkin
The titular bird of this Edgar Allan Poe poem doesn't say very much.
What is:
The Raven
You should wear a fedora hat, a green and red striped sweater, and blades on your fingers if you want to dress up as this classic horror movie character — just stay out of my dreams!
Who is:
Freddy Krueger
If a real one approaches you, play dead. But don't worry, this chewy candy won't hurt you.
(By the way, the green ones are 'strawberry,' not 'apple' or 'lime')
What are:
Gummy Bears
This Mexican holiday falls on November 1st, the same day as 'All Saints' Day.' Bring out the sugar skulls and marigolds!
What is:
Day of the Dead
or
el Día de los Muertos
This tall, pale character — dressed in a pinstripe suit and often accompanied by his dog, Zero — is lovingly referred to as 'The Pumpkin King,' but his full name is this.
Who is:
Jack Skellington
This classic horror novel was the product of a friendly contest between British writers in the Victorian age when the weather was so bad that they couldn't leave the cabin they were vacationing in. More impressive: the author was only 18!
P.S. — 'Igor' is NOT a character in the book.
What is:
Frankenstein
With lyrics like "spins a web, any size
catches thieves just like flies," I'm sure we will see loads of this Marvel character on Halloween.
Who is:
Spiderman
When you go into a British sweets shop, ask for Maltesers. You might get funny looks if you ask for these, instead (they're similar, but not nearly as tasty).
What are:
Whoppers
Halloween is super old! It dates all the way back to 600 AD with this ancient Celtic festival.
What is:
Samhain (pronounced SOW-WIN)
If you think you need a haircut, don't go visit this character, portrayed in a film by Tim Burton — you might end up being backed into a pie!
Who is:
Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Popular in the 1980s and 1990s, this Alvin Schwartz book with creepy illustrations has been adapted into a movie. Keep a flashlight handy!
What is:
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
You and three other friends can Trick-or-Treat as this quartet, reptiles highly skilled in martial arts combat. Cowabunga, dude!
Who are:
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles