That story likely drew on a parallel etymology of the term ‘jack-o-the-lantern’ as akin to ‘will-o-the-wisp,’ a mysterious light seen in wooded or swampy areas at night-sometimes with natural causes, other times as a result of mischievous children lighting lanterns. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.” Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn’t want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. One version of the practice may have originated from an Irish legend-which first appeared in print in the 19th century-about a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack.” According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. People have been making jack-o’-lanterns at Halloween for centuries. These unique (and cute!) ideas, which range from sweet and funny (hello, Disney characters!) to evil and downright scary, are simple enough for beginners or kids and quick enough to squeeze into even the busiest schedule.Haunted History of Halloween The Legend of 'Stingy Jack' And if you'd like to try something a little more advanced, you could even use tools like a power drill, a lino cutter, or a Dremel to make all kinds of perfectly uniform scores. For example, paint a pumpkin with a variety of mismatched shapes in different colors, then freehand a few additional cutouts, and you have yourself a Terrazzo pumpkin. Even a little paint can take you most of the way, no artistic ability needed. Have a couple of cookie cutters in your drawer? Those make excellent "hole punches" for instant cool designs-especially if you have bats, ghosts, and other Halloween shapes at your disposal. But as long as you have about 30 minutes to spare, there are plenty of easy pumpkin carving ideas you can pull off in a flash. So what do you do when you realize Halloween is right around the corner, you don't have a costume and your front porch is devoid of expertly carved pumpkins? Do you have to abandon ship and settle for an array of uncarved pumpkins plucked from the bin at the supermarket? That's an option (no judgment!). They may start promoting fall activities and putting the Halloween decorations on display as early as August, but with everything else the autumn brings, the true spooky season has a way of sneaking up on you.
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