Why was Halloween known as ‘Cabbage Night’ in some cities in the United States?
Most revelers who go on Halloween make the implicit threat to either hand over something sweet or expect a trick, but some are out just for the latter.
Samhain, the spookiest time of year is approaching, when the barriers between the physical and spirit worlds are blurred allowing the dead to walk among mortals according to lore. Over time, traditions developed whereby some would wander around in the night imitating the supernatural beings to ward them off.
These nightwalkers would also get up to some mischief, playing pranks which led to the holiday getting the nickname ‘Mischief Night’. Nowadays, there are several terms used for this night like ‘Devil’s Night’, ‘Goosey Night’, ‘Gate Night’, ‘Trick Night’ or ‘Cabbage Night’.
However, while Halloween is more about the treats, the night before is dedicated more to tricks. Here’s why the day before the Pumpkin King’s big celebration is associated with another vegetable in some parts of the United States.
READ ALSO: 10 easy last-minute Halloween costume ideas
Why was Halloween known as ‘Cabbage Night’ in some cities in the United States?
In certain places in the US, Halloween was once known as “Cabbage Night” due to a game of Scottish origin played on this holiday, in which women used the stem of this vegetable to predict what their future husbands would look like.
In addition to the supposed predictive ability of these leafy greens, there were places like Framingham, Massachusetts, where teenagers used to go through neighborhoods throwing cabbage at the facades of houses. This tradition had its origins in the 19th century, when rural youths tossed cabbage, corn on the cob, and rotten vegetables to celebrate and ward off death, reports Candy: A Century of Panic and Pleasure by Samira Kawash.
The University of Wisconsin pulled together a collection of where the term ‘Cabbage Night’ has been used over the years in the United States.
READ ALSO: Why are chocolates so expensive for Halloween 2024?
The role of cabbage and pumpkins in Halloween
As if that weren’t enough, cabbage also played an important role in the history of the iconic Halloween pumpkin. The tradition of carving pumpkins on Halloween stems from the old Irish legend of drunken Jack. The story goes that he was neither welcome in Heaven nor Hell. And for his treachery in reneging on his deals with the devil, Satan came up with an special punishment for him.
As Jack wandered the Earth, he was forced to carry a burning ember from hell which he put in a hollowed-out turnip or cabbage whose light, simulated a lantern. Thus the term Jack’O’Lantern.
As time passed, people began to exchange the cabbage and turnips for pumpkins, as this is an easier vegetable to find, decorate and hollow out.