Halloween Pragmatics and Etymology

Pragmatics

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ETYMOLOGY

Just in case any readers are not familiar with the etymology of Halloween, here it is compliments of the Online Etymology Dictionary -

Halloween: c.1745, Scottish shortening of Allhallow-even "Eve of All Saints, last night of October" (1556), the last night of the year in the old Celtic calendar, where it was Old Year's Night, a night for witches. Another pagan holiday given a cursory baptism and sent on its way. Hallowmas "All-saints" is first attested 1389.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the bye, Happy Halloween to all linguists and to all linguists a good night. Hope you have fun with language tricks and enjoy some treats.