Jack-o'-Lantern: Why Is It Named 'Jack'?
2020-10-25
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1And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.
2One of the most well-known signs of Halloween is the jack-o'-lantern.
3You can find jack-o'-lanterns on the front steps of countless American homes on October 31, Halloween night.
4Decorating a pumpkin for the holiday can be a lot of fun, especially for children.
5Many people buy a pumpkin from a store or from a real pumpkin patch on a farm.
6Making a jack-o'-lantern takes time and at least one good, sharp knife.
7So, make sure you have plenty of both.
8This is why children do this activity with someone older.
9First, cut off the stem, or top of the pumpkin.
10But don't throw it out.
11You will need it later to finish the jack-o'-lantern.
12Now, reach your hands inside the pumpkin and remove everything inside.
13And yes -- it will feel slimy.
14Next, make a picture of a face or something else on the skin, or rind, of the pumpkin.
15Then, carefully cut along the lines of your artwork.
16Finally, put a candle or some other lighting inside to light up the design you have cut.
17And there! You have turned a pumpkin into a jack-o'-lantern.
18Now, you might have a few questions.
19For example, why does the term jack-o'-lantern have a man's name -- "Jack?"
20Merriam-Webster's online dictionary gives one explanation.
21It says people in England began using the term in the 17th-century.
22It meant "a man with a lantern" or a night watchman.
23At that time, people living in England reportedly called a man they did not know "Jack."
24So, an unknown man carrying a lantern was sometimes called "Jack with the lantern" or "Jack of the lantern."
25Your next question might be: But what does this have to do with Halloween?
26Merriam-Webster and Encyclopedia Britannica both say the term "jack-o'-lantern" comes from a very old Irish story about a man named Stingy Jack.
27As the story goes, he tricked the Devil to get money.
28When Jack died, God refused to let him go to heaven.
29And the Devil, still angry about being tricked, did not allow Jack to go to hell either.
30So, Jack's punishment was to wander the earth forever.
31His soul was stuck.
32And like most spirits trapped on Earth, he probably spent most of his time trying to frighten humans.
33At least, that's what I imagine trapped souls would do.
34To protect themselves and frighten away Jack's wandering soul, people in Ireland would carve scary faces on turnips.
35I suspect that turnips were a common root vegetable at the time.
36When Irish families moved to the United States, they brought this tradition with them.
37These immigrants began carving jack-o'-lanterns from pumpkins, which were more common than turnips in their new home.
38Halloween is based on the Celtic celebration from ancient times.
39It marked the end of summer.
40It was believed that during this time of the year, the souls of those who had died that year would return to visit their homes.
41Encyclopedia Britannica goes on to explain that in the 8th century, the Roman Catholic Church moved All Saints' Day, a religious day, to November 1.
42This meant that All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween, fell on October 31.
43Traditions from the old Celtic celebration remained, such as wearing costumes to hide yourself from the souls of the dead and carving jack-o'-lanterns.
44Today, people who celebrate Halloween continue to do both!
45And that's Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. 2One of the most well-known signs of Halloween is the jack-o'-lantern. You can find jack-o'-lanterns on the front steps of countless American homes on October 31, Halloween night. 3Decorating a pumpkin for the holiday can be a lot of fun, especially for children. Many people buy a pumpkin from a store or from a real pumpkin patch on a farm. 4Making a jack-o'-lantern takes time and at least one good, sharp knife. So, make sure you have plenty of both. This is why children do this activity with someone older. 5First, cut off the stem, or top of the pumpkin. But don't throw it out. You will need it later to finish the jack-o'-lantern. Now, reach your hands inside the pumpkin and remove everything inside. And yes -- it will feel slimy. 6Next, make a picture of a face or something else on the skin, or rind, of the pumpkin. Then, carefully cut along the lines of your artwork. 7Finally, put a candle or some other lighting inside to light up the design you have cut. And there! You have turned a pumpkin into a jack-o'-lantern. 8Now, you might have a few questions. For example, why does the term jack-o'-lantern have a man's name -- "Jack?" 9Merriam-Webster's online dictionary gives one explanation. It says people in England began using the term in the 17th-century. It meant "a man with a lantern" or a night watchman. 10At that time, people living in England reportedly called a man they did not know "Jack." So, an unknown man carrying a lantern was sometimes called "Jack with the lantern" or "Jack of the lantern." 11Your next question might be: But what does this have to do with Halloween? 12Merriam-Webster and Encyclopedia Britannica both say the term "jack-o'-lantern" comes from a very old Irish story about a man named Stingy Jack. 13As the story goes, he tricked the Devil to get money. When Jack died, God refused to let him go to heaven. And the Devil, still angry about being tricked, did not allow Jack to go to hell either. 14So, Jack's punishment was to wander the earth forever. His soul was stuck. And like most spirits trapped on Earth, he probably spent most of his time trying to frighten humans. At least, that's what I imagine trapped souls would do. 15To protect themselves and frighten away Jack's wandering soul, people in Ireland would carve scary faces on turnips. I suspect that turnips were a common root vegetable at the time. 16When Irish families moved to the United States, they brought this tradition with them. These immigrants began carving jack-o'-lanterns from pumpkins, which were more common than turnips in their new home. 17Halloween is based on the Celtic celebration from ancient times. It marked the end of summer. It was believed that during this time of the year, the souls of those who had died that year would return to visit their homes. 18Encyclopedia Britannica goes on to explain that in the 8th century, the Roman Catholic Church moved All Saints' Day, a religious day, to November 1. This meant that All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween, fell on October 31. 19Traditions from the old Celtic celebration remained, such as wearing costumes to hide yourself from the souls of the dead and carving jack-o'-lanterns. 20Today, people who celebrate Halloween continue to do both! 21And that's Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 22Anna Matteo wrote this story for Learning English with information from Encyclopedia Britannica. George Grow was the editor. 23________________________________________________________________ 24Words in This Story 25lantern - n. a usually portable lamp with a protective covering 26decorate - v. to make (something) more attractive usually by putting something on it 27pumpkin patch - n. a small piece or area of land where this usually large round orange fruit of a vine related to the squash and cucumber that is used for food or decoration grows : a patch is often different from what is around it 28candle - n. wax that has been formed into a stick or another shape and has a string in the middle that can be burned 29slimy - adj. having a wet, slippery feel or look 30heaven - n. the place where God lives and where good people go after they die according to some religions 31hell - n. the place where the devil lives and where evil people go after they die according to some religions 32wander - v. to move about without a fixed course, aim, or goal 33carve - v. to cut (something, such as a pattern or design) into a surface 34costume - n. the clothes that are worn by someone (such as an actor) who is trying to look like a different person or thing