Hey, Answer Girl -

What's with Halloween anyway? The tricks, the treats, the costumes… where does all that come from? Like other holidays, I assume this one has a religious background, but what is it? What religion is it?

- Judy B. in Casper

Halloween comes from a long and somewhat confusing past.

Beginning in ancient times, the Celts of Ireland celebrated an annual harvest day known as Samhain (pronounced sow-een). On this day, Nov. 1, the Celts thought the souls of the dead who had passed sometime that year could mingle with the living as they passed on to the next world.

But when Christianity came to Ireland in the Middle Ages, the customs, too, were Christianized. The day was turned into All Hallows Day and All Souls Day, which were to be celebrated on the Nov. 1 and 2. Because Oct. 31 was the day before All Hallows Day, it was known as All Hallows Even, All Hallows Eve, or, for short, Hallowe'en.

And even though it was a Christian holiday, the thought that the souls of the dead could be seen and heard on Hallowe'en remained.

Two traditions associated with the newly Christian holidays were called "mumming" and "souling," which developed in medieval times.

Mumming was the practice of wearing costumes, singing and mischief-making. Souling was a less playful tradition, during which people would go door-to-door asking for treats in exchange for prayers for the dead.

Likely, those two traditions combined, and when Irish immigrants brought the Hallowe'en tradition to North America, the new dress-up tradition of trick-or-treating was developed.

However, because there's virtually no record of the trick-or-treat tradition until the 1930s, more cynical folks point to parents who wanted to avoid childish mischief by keeping the kids busy.

It makes sense - give them a treat, they'll more likely stay away from tricks.

You didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway…

Jack-o-lanterns date back to the 17th Century, and literally mean "man with a lantern."

Legend says a sinning Irishman named Jack made a deal with the Devil so that he wouldn't go to hell for his sins. When he died and the pearly gates of heaven wouldn't open for Jack, he had nowhere to rest, having already barred himself from hell. Thus, Jack wanders across the earth for all eternity with an ember of hellfire to light his way.

He was known from then on as Jack O'Lantern. The Irish - and now Americans - carve lanterns for his ember as part of Halloween tradition.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0616 or megan.lee@trib.com

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Answer Girl tackles questions about Casper, the universe and everything else. To submit your questions, email megan.lee@trib.com, or call Megan Lee at 266-0616. You can also write to Answer Girl, Box 80, 170 Star Lane, Casper, WY, 82602.