I reside in St. Louis, Missouri, home to Nelly and the legendary Cardinals. Our local delicacies, like toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, are famous, not to mention Imo’s pizza with its signature provel cheese. When it comes to Halloween, we take our celebrations to another level. Here, trick-or-treating isn’t just about getting candy; it’s about putting in some effort for those sweet treats.
In St. Louis, Halloween is as much about the fun as it is about the candy. To score a treat, kids must deliver a joke. They put as much thought into their punchlines as they do into their costumes. No two friends can share the same joke, and the quality is impressively high. Recycling tired pop culture references won’t cut it; adults expect genuine laughter. It’s delightful to see little ones getting creative on the spot or nervously repeating their older sibling’s joke.
Sometimes, though, a joke doesn’t land as expected. Adults are usually gracious, tossing a Hershey Bar or two as encouragement. However, kids can be a bit more unforgiving. I fondly recall a year when my nephew, then just four, was unimpressed with a joke and decided to take a handful of candy from the trick-or-treater instead of providing a treat. It’s a classic Halloween memory for me. (Don’t worry, the kid got his candy back along with a few extras!)
Occasionally, a joke can stray into “inappropriate” territory, often due to a kid not fully understanding the humor or being egged on by friends. My son became somewhat of a local legend at seven after being convinced by his older brothers to share a certain off-color joke.
What Kind of Jokes Can You Expect on Halloween?
The variety is endless. Some kids favor knock-knock jokes while others opt for spooky themes. Here are a few standouts from past Halloweens:
- What do you call a bear with no teeth? Gummy!
- A ham sandwich walks into a bar. Bartender says, “Sorry, pal, we don’t serve food here.”
- How do you make a Kleenex dance? Put a little boogie in it.
- Knock knock! Who’s there? Interrupting cow. Interrupt—Mooooooo!
- What’s a ghost’s favorite dessert? Booberry pie!
- Did you hear about the haunted KFC? It was terr-i-fry-ing!
- Why couldn’t the spicy pepper dress like Robin Hood for Halloween? He didn’t hab-an-ero!
- What do you call a magic dog? A lab-ra-ca-dab-ra-dor!
- Have you heard about the elephant with diarrhea? It’s all over town!
Corny? Absolutely! But witnessing a tiny witch or a little monster trying their best stand-up routine is heartwarming. I wish more people could experience this unique tradition. My husband, who grew up just a half-hour away, was unaware of it until moving here. For me, Halloween without this aspect is unimaginable.
Origins of the Tradition
So, where did this tradition come from? It’s believed to stem from the strong Irish influence in St. Louis. According to local historian Dr. John Oldani, over a century ago, people in Ireland celebrated a festival where they dressed up and traveled door-to-door, performing tricks or telling jokes to earn treats that would ward off evil spirits. This tradition was brought to St. Louis and has become a beloved part of our Halloween festivities.
Regardless of its origins, this tradition is cherished in our community. It would be wonderful if more towns adopted it, as it creates lasting memories for both kids and adults. This Halloween, elevate your celebration with a wholesome zinger from a child. Every city has its own unique traditions, but nothing compares to our October 31st festivities.
If you want to start a new Halloween tradition in your town and impress your neighbors with your humor, here’s a classic that never fails: How does Batman’s mom call him for dinner? Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner… Batmaaaan!
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Summary
In St. Louis, Halloween is a unique experience where trick-or-treaters must tell jokes to earn their candy. This tradition, rooted in Irish customs, emphasizes creativity and laughter, making the night memorable for both children and adults. From knock-knock jokes to clever puns, the effort kids put into their humor showcases the spirit of the celebration. It’s a delightful experience that adds a personal touch to Halloween, setting St. Louis apart.