Thread: Is mischief night pretty much a thing of the past now?

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I was watching "The Real History of Halloween" (I'm STILL pizzed that they apparently aren't showing "The Haunted History of Halloween" on the History Channel this year--but that's okay, I rented it -- it's a tradition).

Anyway, mischief night/gate night was being described (in the 20s-30s-ish).

I remember in the 70s, we did do mischief night, although pretty much all of the "good kids" did it with our parents' permission and with relatively harmless items, like toilet paper. No pop guns to scare drivers or eggs to throw at and blind people or anything.

I sort of remember my brother doing it (throughout the 80s) but since then I haven't really thought of the tradition at all so it was weird to hear it mentioned on this show -- like a blast from the past.

Does anybody's town do mischief night? (I mean it's always pretty unofficial...but you know what I mean.) Or is that all gone now, pretty much? Just curious. Also, what did you used to call it as a kid (goosie night, gate night, cabbage night, etc.)?

The Haunted History of Halloween" on the History Channel this year--but that's okay, I rented it

It's been on twice today on the east coast, if you mean 'The real story of halloween'. It's on right now. I was part of the shaving cream, egg throwing, flour sock crowd back in the day. It really was a lot of fun and had such a 'feel' during that time of year that I'll always remember fondly, for the most part. But it was two fold though. Getting hit by eggs hurt, flour socks hurt, and shaving cream in the eyes REALLY hurt! I'm glad to see that kind of thing really doesn't go on around here. I give anyone who cares to stop by the best experience you really want on halloween- a super cool haunted yard with candy to boot. The best of the holiday.

Dan

no mischief night/gate night here. I remember in the 70's we did cause a lot of "mischief" the entire month of October. Nothing criminal, just mischief. No one seems to do anything like that around here. They would be arrested and jailed. If kids did this today I'm sure it would get way out of hand. I wouldn't mind some harmless pranks. Not sure if I should be glad about this or sad?? I do miss the "old days" when kids had common sense, and respect.

I remember "Ding dong ditch" type of mischief which was funny until kids played the same pranks on me at 3am... Lol! It does however bring back memories...

i loved the flaming bag of crap, ohh the good old days

Hey,

UK Halloween-er here.

Anyone care to explain Mischeif night....I mean, from what you're saying I can assume its just where kids go round TP'ing houses etc. That happens here but its the little b@st@ard$ that do it.

They refuse to sell flour and eggs to any youngsters in the shops this time of year.

I thought Mischief Night was just a Detroit thing...

Originally Posted by creeepycathy

I thought Mischief Night was just a Detroit thing...

LOL! It used to be called Devil's Night & vandals/arsonists would basically try to burn Detroit down. The past 15 years or so it's been called Angel's Night and literally thousands of volunteers will help the police patrol the streets all night starting a couple days before Halloween to ward them off.

But alas, I had an extremely boring childhood & never partook in anything FUN like that. sigh

Originally Posted by HallowsEveUK

Hey,

UK Halloween-er here.

Anyone care to explain Mischeif night....I mean, from what you're saying I can assume its just where kids go round TP'ing houses etc. That happens here but its the little b@st@ard$ that do it.

They refuse to sell flour and eggs to any youngsters in the shops this time of year.

Yeah that's the one.


And it's still alive and well in NJ. You can't walk more than a block in the suburbs without seein the police drive-by though.

Don't see much trouble in the UK to be honest, you get the chavs without costume in groups being their usual intimidating selves but if you don't stand for any nonsense you won't get any.

It's not a thing of the past, it seems to be a every day occurence