An older Irish phrase used by children when going door-to-door on Halloween night, equivalent to the North American 'trick or treat'. Instead of threatening a trick, children in Ireland would appeal to the goodwill of neighbours by asking them to 'help the Halloween party' — implying they were collecting sweets, nuts, or coins for a celebration. The phrase reflects Ireland's older Halloween traditions, which predate the commercial American-influenced version that has since largely replaced it.
Back in the 1970s, kids in rural Ireland said 'help the Halloween party' at the door instead of trick or treat.
Add your own interpretation of "help the Halloween party".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with H.
No comments yet — say something.
(dated, Ireland) Trick or treat.
No comments yet — say something.