mischief night

noun

1. Halloween or, in some areas, the night before Halloween, as an occasion for pranks and minor vandalism by young people.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mischief night¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

It should be noted that the "tricks" portion of the practice has more akin with the UK custom Guy Fawkes' Day, frustrations arising from the Great Depression and "Mischief Night" hijinks involving lowkey vandalism and even outright violence.

From Salon

It happened on what is known locally as mischief night.

From BBC

The attack happened in Hemlington on 30 October - on what is locally known as "mischief night".

From BBC

Cleveland Police said it happened on what is known locally as "mischief night", during which its officers dealt with "a considerable number of incidents".

From BBC

When I was growing up in New Jersey in the 1960s, on "mischief night" they drew swastikas on our driveway because we were Jewish.

From Salon

More About Mischief Night

What is Mischief Night?

Mischief Night is used in some places as the unofficial name for the night before Halloween, which is known as a night for pranks and other mischief, usually by kids and teens. In some other places, the name is applied to a different day.

Mischief Night is most commonly associated with pranks like egging or toilet papering houses, but some people use it as an opportunity to engage in more dangerous activities and acts of vandalism, such as lighting fires or setting off fireworks.

The night is well-known in some areas of the U.S. and England, but largely unknown in others.

In some places, the night before Halloween is called by a different name, such as Devil’s Night, Mizzy Night, Trick Night, and Cabbage Night.

When is Mischief Night?

Mischief Night most commonly refers to October 30, the night before Halloween. In some places, it’s used as another name for Halloween itself.

In some places in England, the name is applied to the night of November 4, which is the night before Guy Fawkes Day.

More information and context on Mischief Night

The origin of Mischief Night isn’t certain, but the tradition of playing pranks on the night before Halloween dates back at least hundreds of years. The first records of the name Mischief Night come from around 1800. Early uses of the term in England referred to April 30, the night before May Day.

Some of the pranks associated with Mischief Night, such as toilet papering and egging, are also somewhat common on Halloween night, when they are sometimes considered as the “trick” part of trick or treating.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Mischief Night?

• mischief
• pranks
• vandalism
• toilet paper
• Halloween
• Guy Fawkes Day

How is Mischief Night discussed in real life?

Mischief Night is associated with minor pranks, but is sometimes used as an occasion for people to engage in serious vandalism. It’s well-known in some areas of the U.S. and England, but largely unknown in others.

As a kid i looked forward to mischief night more than Halloween 😭😭

— Drill (@Whiteboy_theDon) October 4, 2021

it’s spooky szn and if you’re from jersey like me that means mischief night 🎃

— DOGBOY 🚸 (@BaddBoyHaIo) October 1, 2021

I like how my birthday is on mischief night cuz i get to celebrate and cause trouble 😈 lmao

— Kevin Tabares (@ktabares7) October 1, 2021

 

Try using Mischief Night!

True or False? 

The name Mischief Night only ever refers to October 30.