The term jack-o’-lantern in the United States usually refers to a carved pumpkin (or other times turnip or other root vegetable) lantern that is associated with Halloween.

Stingy Jack became known as “Jack of the Lantern” and eventually “ jack-o’-lantern.” This name would also come to describe the phenomenon of lights flickering over marshes at night.

The fewer holes you carve into it, the longer your finished jack-o’-lantern will last. Try scraping intricate designs into the flesh at varying depths.

Don’t let your jack-o-lantern go bad before Halloween With the scary season comes a classic fall activity that all ages enjoy: carving pumpkins. Unfortunately, most jack-o-lanterns only last ...

The jack-o’-lantern as a folk character originated in Ireland as a trickster forced to wander the netherworld after being banned from both heaven and hell for his ornery behavior.