etymology, word cards, Flowers, Trees, Food, French, Herbs, word origins, seasons, English Language, Historical Linguistics, Seasonal Vocabulary, Autumn Great Expectations Education etymology, word cards, Flowers, Trees, Food, French, Herbs, word origins, seasons, English Language, Historical Linguistics, Seasonal Vocabulary, Autumn Great Expectations Education

Halloween: the eve of all hallows

Halloween’ began as ‘All Hallows’ Even’, the night before All Saints’ Day. Its roots lie in Old English ‘hālig’ meaning holy, and in the wider Hallowtide of saints and souls. Across Europe, related words tell the same story — ‘Toussaint’, ‘Allerheiligen’, ‘Oíche Shamhna’ — each marking the eve that once joined harvest, remembrance, and holiness.

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