Uncovering the History of a Halloween Classic
Every October, as costumed little explorers take to the sidewalks with pumpkin buckets in hand, you’re bound to hear a familiar rhyme chanted on front porches:
Trick or treat,
smell my feet,
give me something good to eat!
While asking neighbors for candy feels like a timeless tradition, trick-or-treating as we know it is a uniquely North American invention that gained traction in the early 20th century.
The phrase “trick or treat” first appeared in print in November 1927, when the Blackie Times newspaper in Alberta, Canada reported on local children demanding “trick or treat” at front doors. It was a playful bargain: give us a treat, or risk a mild Halloween prank! The phrase swept across North America over the next decade, appearing in American newspapers from Oregon to Michigan. By the 1940s and 1950s, post-war suburban neighborhoods across the country fully embraced trick-or-treating, turning it into the widespread family tradition we enjoy today.
As the tradition grew, kids naturally made the greeting their own. By the late 1940s, newspaper columns and folklore collectors began documenting the addition of “smell my feet.” Over the decades, playground lore kept expanding—by the 1970s and 80s, schoolyard trick-or-treaters added second verses like “If you don’t, I don’t care…”, while kids in Canada often added “…not too big, not too small, just the size of Montreal!”
While we love a fun seasonal tradition, at Bare Soles Explorers, we have a lighthearted confession to make: the rhyme isn’t quite accurate!
It turns out going barefoot is actually great for foot health, and bare feet don’t naturally stink. The odor happens when feet are tucked away inside tight shoes and synthetic socks where sweat gets trapped. When we, kids and adults, explore barefoot, our feet stay naturally ventilated, dry, and cool!
So this Halloween, when your little ghosts and goblins head out to gather treats, remember that the best memories are made out in nature—and we’d love to hear about your traditions!
Has your family ever dressed up as characters that go barefoot (like Hobbits, Moana, or Tarzan) and actually gone trick-or-treating barefoot? Or have you ever trick-or-treated barefoot just because you didn’t want to wear shoes?
Whether you’re candy hunting barefoot or not, share your Halloween moments with us! Tag your photos with #baresolesexplorers or @baresolesexplorers so we can feature your family’s adventures on our Instagram!