The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ORIGIN OF THE JACK O LANTERN

A BOY NAMED JACK WANTED TO GO TO HEAVEN, BUT HIS CONSCIENCE
WOULD NOT LET HIM. SO JACK WANTED TO GET INTO HELL, BUT SINCE
HE PLAYED TRICKS AND JOKES, THE DEVIL WOULD NOT LET HIM IN.
SO JACK HAD TO ROAM THE EARTH FOR ALL TIME, CARRYING
A LANTERN. THEREFORE PEOPLE HAVE CALLED HIM, JACK O' LANTERN.

Data entry tech comment: A-T 330 THE SMITH OUTWITS THE DEVIL
MT[ A2817 ORIGIN OF WILL-OF-THE-WISP (JACK-O'-LANTERN)
CK[ IGNUS FATUUS ; JACK-O'-LANTERN IS NAME FOR HOLLOWEEN PUMPKIN
WL[ ALPENA, MICHIGAN
****************** NEW D FILE 2 ******************

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA

James Callow Keyword(s): IGNUS FATUUS ; JACK-O'-LANTERN IS NAME FOR HOLLOWEEN PUMPKIN

Subject headings:

CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween
BELIEF -- Devil Demon
BELIEF -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 10-04-1970