Halloween also known as All Hallows' Eve. The word Halloween was first used in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All Hallows' Even, that is the night before All Hallows' Day. Although the phrase All Hallows' is found in Old English , Al Hallows Even is itself not seen until 1556.
Halloween is also thought to have been heavily influenced by the Christian holy days of All Saints' Day (also known as Hallowmas, All Hallows, and Hallowtide) and All Souls' Day. Falling on November 1 and 2 respectively, collectively they were a time for honoring the saints and praying for the recently departed who had yet to reach heaven.
Typical festive Halloween activities include trick or treating (also known as "guising"), attending costume parties, carving jack o'lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films, as well as the religious observances of praying, fasting and attending vigils or church services.
