How Do You Spell JACK-O'LANTERN?

Pronunciation: [d͡ʒˈakə͡ʊlˈantən] (IPA)

The term "jack-o'lantern" refers to a carved pumpkin with a lit candle inside, commonly associated with Halloween. The spelling of this word can be a bit confusing, but it is pronounced as /ˌdʒæk.əʊˈlæn.tən/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word "jack" likely comes from the name Jack, an old English term for a man, and "lantern" refers to a light source. The apostrophe indicates the omission of the letter "f" in the word "of." Overall, "jack-o'lantern" is a unique and interesting word that has become a staple in Halloween traditions.

JACK-O'LANTERN Meaning and Definition

  1. A jack-o'lantern is a Halloween-related decorative object typically made from a hollowed-out pumpkin. The term "jack-o'lantern" originated from the Irish folktale of Stingy Jack, a clever but stingy drunkard who fooled both God and the Devil. In the story, Jack was condemned to wander the earth with only a hollowed-out turnip, which he used as a lantern to light his way. When Irish immigrants brought this tale to North America, they found that pumpkins were more readily available and suited for carving, thus leading to the tradition of making jack-o'lanterns out of pumpkins.

    To create a jack-o'lantern, the top of a pumpkin is cut off, the seeds and pulp are removed, and a face or design is carved into the outer skin, creating openings for light to shine through. Often, these carvings feature a grimacing or spooky face, befitting the Halloween atmosphere. A candle or artificial light source is placed inside the hollowed pumpkin, causing an eerie glow to emanate from the carved openings. Jack-o'lanterns are often displayed on doorsteps, windowsills, or other prominent locations during the Halloween season, both as a decoration and a symbol to ward off evil spirits.

    The jack-o'lantern has become a recognizable symbol of Halloween and is deeply ingrained in the holiday's traditions, providing an enchanting and spooky ambiance to the festivities.

Common Misspellings for JACK-O'LANTERN

  • jack0o'lantern
  • jackpo'lantern
  • jacko'lantern
  • jackmo'lantern

Etymology of JACK-O'LANTERN

The word "jack-o'lantern" has an interesting etymology. The term originated from a combination of two separate elements.

1. "Jack": The origin of the term "Jack" in this context can be traced back to an old English mythological character called "Stingy Jack". According to folklore, Stingy Jack was a clever but deceitful man who frequently played tricks on others, including the devil. One such instance involved Jack tricking the devil into climbing a tree and then carving a religious symbol on the trunk, preventing the devil from coming down. After Jack's death, his spirit was trapped in-between worlds, and he was said to carry a burning coal inside a carved turnip to light his way.

2. "Lantern": The term "lantern" refers to a portable light source.

Plural form of JACK-O'LANTERN is JACK-O'LANTERNS