Welcome to another edition of Woozle Wednesday, that day of the week when the dogs get to rule while the pooties take a break. Other critters, including kitties, are almost sure to make cameo appearances every week.
It’s October the 30th, the day before the BIG Event — Halloween. And what is the traditional lead-up to Halloween? Mischief Night! And not surprisingly, the night has a long history.
Well, your humble diarist is a Jersey Girl, and waaaaay back when I was a middle schooler Mischief Night was a really big deal for the emerging teen set. Apparently New Jersey was the epicenter for Mischief Night (and that’s a fact). Now, I am talking about back in those ancient days when the upper elementary grades was still called grammar school, or even junior high! The pranks were simple and even simple-minded. We were never destructive, just silly. It was mostly an opportunity to run around in the dark streets unsupervised. And let's face it, most of us learned these pranks from our own dads, who were all pretty respectable members of the community.
These days, Mischief Night is mostly a thing of the past, for obvious reasons that we won’t go into. Recently I was reminiscing about these golden days of my youth, surrounded by the usual adoring set of woozles and a few pootie neighbors.
“Mischief Night?” the woozles said, “Sounds like something we would enjoy. Tell us more.”
And so I did. I explained that it was an “informal holiday” on which children and teenagers engage in pranks. It has its roots in the 18th century, and possibly earlier. The earliest reference to Mischief Night was in 1790, when the pranks were described as “an ode to fun.” Sounds harmless enough. It was known by a variety of names including Devil's Night, Gate Night, Goosey Night, Moving Night, and Cabbage Night. (Here I noticed some of the pooties taking notes).
The woozles decided they wanted to put their own stamp on this day. Or night. Their efforts at interpreting the holiday can be seen below the fold.
It's perfect weather for a bit of evening traipsing about the district — not too hot and not too cold. Perfect woozle weather, in fact. Not that we are really intent on much mischief. But before the poochs and their pals commence to mischief merry making, we must pause or paws for the Rulz per the Management:
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Now, on to the festivities below the fold!
Mischief Night.
The term used in NJ, Eastern PA, most of New York and the Great Lakes. It is probably the most common name now, even as the practice has become almost obsolete.
Now gather round the fire as I tell you of the tales of Mischief Nights of yore and its many incarnation ...
Gate Night
The name is found in New Hampshire, parts of Canada, and the Dakotas among other places. The term refers to the opening of the gates of hell before Halloween.
Goosey Night
A term found mostly in upstate New York. Not sure why, but we like it!
Knocky Door, Ginger (door knocking version) & Ding Dong Ditch (doorbell version)
The time-honored prank of knocking on a neighbor’s front door and running away before they have a chance to open it. Apparently children of all ages find this hilarious.
Moving Night.
Unique to Maryland, the prank involves moving (and sometimes hiding) the porch furniture of one’s neighbors. The prank may have its roots in another 19th century prank. when “carelessly guarded” items left about a yard or farmstead were carried away by young men in the night and placed in conspicuous places like the village green or the church steps. The young men were meant to represent the pranks of imps or pooka or other sprites.
Cabbage Night.
Mostly used in Ontario and New England. The name was taken from the 18th century prank. Young men in particular apparently found great sport in taking rotten produce from the fields and scattering it around the neighborhood. Perhaps this is where the practice of smashing pumpkins originated? Sometimes piles of rotten cabbage were burned like a bonfire.
Toilet Papering.
A time honored prank is toilet-papering trees and houses. Well, the pooties and woozles are experienced in this prank. Experts, in fact.
Devil's Night.
Which brings us back to New Jersey. Apparently, Mischief Night really is a Jersey thing. And more importantly, so are the Jersey Devils the hockey team named after the state’s official spectral.