The Jack-O-Lantern story comes from Irish folklore, and the original was a far cry from the cute friendly Halloween decoration we know today!

Sure, you may think jack-o'-lanterns have always been carved out of those plump, orange gourds. But, you'd be wrong. Smithsonian Magazine reported that turnips were the chosen vegetable to carve ...

The term jack-o’-lantern was first applied to people, not pumpkins.As far back as 1663, the term meant a man with a lantern or a night watchman. Just a decade or so later, it began to be used to ...

Jack-o’-lanterns are an iconic symbol of Halloween today, ... Potatoes and turnips were the original jack-o’-lantern by: Brooke Williams. Posted: Oct 25, 2023 / 11:47 AM MDT.

Anyone who witnessed an inexplicable source of light over Ireland’s marshy regions might chalk it up to Jack and his lantern—or “Jack of the Lantern,” or “Jack-o’-Lantern.” (Those ...

But the original Jack-o-Lanterns were meant to ward off unwanted visitors—and one look at them in museums tells you they probably worked. IrishCentral tells the origin story: ...

One of the most recognizable symbols of Halloween is a pumpkin carved into a jack-o'-lantern. But how many of us really know why or when the jack-o'-lantern tradition began? Or ...

It’s that time of year again when everyone gets excited to put out some spooky yard decorations, and the choice for many is the classic jack-o'-lantern. In this roundtable, the Life section writers ...

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze introduces new and original designs each year. Its fifth anniversary brings a Day of the Dead installation, with dancing mariachi and sugar skulls carved into ...

Sure, you may think jack-o'-lanterns have always been carved out of those plump, orange gourds. But, you'd be wrong. Smithsonian Magazine reported that turnips were the chosen vegetable to carve ...

Plus: cake was also a major part of the tradition. Food & Wine / Getty Images Halloween is just one day away, and if you haven't carved that pumpkin yet, don't worry. There's still time. However ...