Ted Explains is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Carving Out Tradition: How a Tricky Tale Lit Up Halloween

by TED

The Illuminating Tale of the Mischievous Stingy Jack

Howdy, folks! Since Halloween’s creepin’ around the corner like a midfielder sneakin’ up on the goal, I thought we’d shine a light on one of its most glowing traditions: the Jack-o’-Lantern. Now, you might be thinkin’, “Ted, what’s so special about carving a big ol’ pumpkin?” Well, hold onto your hats, ’cause this tradition has got more twists and turns than a penalty shootout. So, grab your favorite fall beverage, and let’s dive into the illuminating tale of the mischievous Stingy Jack and how his legendary capers carved out a Halloween tradition.


Our story kicks off not in a pumpkin patch, but in the rolling green hills of Ireland, many, many moons ago. There lived a fella named Stingy Jack, and let me tell ya, he was as cunning as they come. Jack was known far and wide for his trickery, and it wasn’t long before his reputation caught the attention of the Devil himself.

Now, the Devil, being a bit of a competitor, decided to see if Jack’s mischief was all it was cracked up to be. Disguising himself as a regular Joe, he went down to earth to challenge Jack. But ol’ Jack was as sharp as a tack. He figured out the Devil’s disguise quicker than you can say “Boo!” and decided to play a little trick of his own.

Jack convinced the Devil to climb a tree to snag a piece of fruit. But once the Devil was up in the branches, Jack carved a cross into the bark, trapping the Devil up there. Jack struck a deal: he’d free the Devil, but only if the Devil promised not to claim Jack’s soul when he passed away. The Devil, not having much choice, agreed.

Years went by, and ol’ Jack eventually passed on. He moseyed on up to the pearly gates, but Heaven didn’t want a trickster like him. So, he headed down to Hell, but the Devil kept his word and turned Jack away, giving him only a burning coal to light his way. Jack carved out a turnip, popped the coal inside, and has been roaming the earth ever since, his way lit by this ghostly lantern.

The folks in Ireland and Scotland, hearing of Jack’s tale, started carving their own spooky lanterns out of turnips, beets, and potatoes to ward off Stingy Jack and other wandering spirits. But when immigrants from these lands reached America, they found that pumpkins were a whole lot easier to carve than turnips. Plus, they made for a mightier lantern.

And that, my friends, is how the tradition of the Jack-o’-Lantern came to be a shining beacon of Halloween. It’s a story of mischief and wit, and how a bit of trickery gave birth to a tradition that lights up the spookiest night of the year.