The Messed Up Origins™ of Jack-o'-Lanterns | Folklore Explained - Jon Solo

Thanks to Squarespace for sponsoring this episode! Go to Squarespace.com/JonSolo for a free trial and when you’re ready to launch use code "JONSOLO" to save 10% on your first purchase of a website or domain. (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞
► SOLOFAM MERCH:
» bit.ly/SoloFamMerch
► Support the series on Patreon!
» / jonsolo
▼ Timestamps ▼
» 0:00 - Intro
» 1:48 - The Legend of Stingy Jack
» 5:20 - Ghost Lights
» 7:43 - Samhain
» 10:31 - Jack O' the Lantern
» 15:34 - Sponsor
» 17:08 - Wrap-Up
► Want more?
» Folklore Explained: bit.ly/FablesExplained
» ALL Messed Up Origins: bit.ly/MessedUpOrgins
» Disney Explained: bit.ly/DisneyExplained
» ALL Mythology Explained: bit.ly/MythologyExplained
» Norse Mythology: bit.ly/NorseMythologyExplained
» Astrology: bit.ly/AstrologyExplained
» Messed Up Murders: bit.ly/MurderPlaylist
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Social Media:
» Twitter: / jonsolo
» Instagram: / jonsolo
» Facebook Fan Page: / therealjonsolo
» Official Subreddit: / jonsolo
► Join the Official Channel Discord:
» / jonsolo
► Send Fan Mail to:
» [e-mail]
► Business:
» [e-mail] (Business Inquiries ONLY)
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
▼ Credits ▼
» Written by Jon Solo
» Researched by Jon Solo and Jack Daly
• / thefolklord
• / archaicfuturism
▼ Resources ▼
» my favorites: messeduporigins.com/books
» National Geographic: www.nationalgeographic.com/tr...
» The Dublin Penny Journal: www.jstor.org/stable/30004104...
» PBS video on Will-o'-the-Wisp: • Will-o’-the-Wisp: Mons...
▼ Art Sources ▼
» The art depicting Stingy Jack in the thumbnail was provided by the great and powerful Stu Harrington! Check out more of his work here:
StuHarrington
/ stuharrington
» If I used your art in any portion of this video please send a message to my business email with proof that you're the original artist so I can give you credit!
▼ Music Sources ▼
» REVEALING MY INTRO SONG! goo.gl/Z9eHu1
» Spooky Background Music provided by CO.AG Music: / @co.agmusic
» Background Music: Killing Time Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
» Quotes 3 by Anders Bothén: goo.gl/Lz9ADE
#StingyJack #Samhain #Folklore

[@clarimm6675]

"Manipulative piece of garbage with no morals or epathy for anyone. If you've seen any of David Dobrik's content, you're familiar with the type" damn what a (justified) burn Jon 🔥

[@JonSolo]

Spot-on, right? Now if only he would box me…

[@daniellecommons9257]

I don't know who that is

[@w3_9im9inmarz2]

I pay to see that 😂😂🚫🧢

[@raydark8007]

that one hell of burn XD

[@Kuro_Tsuki]

OOF

[@MrMrx123456789]

Gandalf Jack o lantern to evil spirits: *"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!!!!!!!!!!"*

[@bethmarriott9292]

The Devil every time Jack tricks him: Bruh

[@SupBro-ww9go]

Pretty much

[@GredelsRage]

If the devil is that gullible how is hrll a fear? Lol

[@AndrewVelonis]

I know a different version of the second version: Jack was a blacksmith who was mean to everyone, but he knew how to treat a stranger. So when a haggard old man shows up, he provides lunch. Turns out it's St. Peter. Three wishes: anyone but Jack picks up the hammer, it starts hammering and the holder can't let go. Chair squeezes occupants other than Jack. Rose bush captures those who break a branch. Devil's youngest son gets tricked into picking up the hammer, gets rattled, capitulates. Devil's older son sits in the chair, gets squeezed, same. Devil, in a rage, intends to whip Jack into submission, breaks off a branch of the rose bush, gets captured, submits. No one gets beaten. At the end of Jack's days, is first refused admission into heaven, but on his approach to Hell, Satan doesn't want the man who tricked him in his domain, throws a glowing coal at him and says "You go find a Hell of your own". Turnip, lantern, yadda yadda. BTW, October 31 is halfway between the equinox and the solstice "When the walls between the worlds are at their thinnest"

[@briannalee1998]

This version sounds familiar. It is almost as messed up as the ones in the video

[@sandragraves1177]

Anytime the devil or a saint shows up in a Celtic myth you know the Catholics have been screwing with it

[@ameliawarfield5637]

Andrew Velonis, I know a similar version of the story, and it was called Mean Jack. I read it when I was a kid. I know what you're talking about. Happy Halloween!!

[@istoleyourlatte]

Gosh, Jack the Pumpkin King’s personality (in The Nightmare Before Christmas), makes so much sense now! He feels lost because he is stuck and lost, not in heaven nor hell.

[@ceceward5122]

Some one who is in neither heaven or hell is in purgatory

[@nightmarerex2035]

@@ceceward5122 or on earth still

[@crystalrosemartinez8115]

I thought the same thing! Do you think zero's jack-o'-lantern nose is the light 🕯️??

[@GeekyRaptorStudios]

actually Jack is supposed to be the headless horseman, look it up.

[@GeekyRaptorStudios]

specifically from sleepy hollow

[@wrynn.creates]

My dad had told me a different tale, Wandering Jack, he was toughest, meanist, courageous man whom walked. He walked into hell. The demons who lived in hell tried their hardest to scare him, to take his soul. But with no reaction Jack saw hell. He stole a ember of hell. So hot it burned blue, never unlit. He placed it in his lantern and journey on. He walked and walked. He walked to the gates of heaven. Where god himself rejected him because he’s seen, experienced hell, and stole from hell. And now walks in between our world and the world of the dead. He will be forever cursed to walk the veil.

[@nylaaniece]

i like this version

[@VONMEEK]

In true Scottish tradition, scary faces were carved into neeps (turnips) to create lanterns that would scare off ghouls wandering in the witching house. Thanks to America's influence, pumpkins are now as common as turnips for lanterns in Scotland - and are considerably easier to carve. (National trust for Scotland )

[@2degucitas]

The witching house? What is that?

[@gifttanz]

I still do a turnip because turnip is actually a nice taste after XD And then I have a sad withered Turnip face in my garden for like six months after until I remember to chuck it into the compost heap.

[@martinasplunkett180]

Began on Ireland 👌🇮🇪

[@laoch5658]

all scottish traditions are taken from irish culture

[@martinasplunkett180]

@@laoch5658 then don't say in true Scottish tradition. Say~'in true Irish tradition, all us celts adopted this/these practices' .

[@skyden24195]

Jon Solo: "I first have to tell you a story about a guy named Stingy Jack. He was a liar, a manipulator, a drunk, and his soul was so black that Satan himself was jealous." The Joker: "I like him already."

[@HeartofPages]

Jon: "No one wants to eat pumpkins" Pumpkin pie: am I joke to you?

[@powerofk]

The pumpkins used for pie are actually smaller than Jack-o-lantern pumpkins, which are pretty much only good for carving and not much else.

[@solus8685]

And pumpkin soup💔

[@eyalm867]

im not liking this, becuase its at the perfect number of likes, 69

[@cheneethompson5756]

Pumpkin spice lattes are great, too!

[@tarakennedy707]

@@cheneethompson5756 there's no pumpkin in pumpkin spice....

[@kiwe9492]

Honestly the story where Jack gets the demon stuck to his chair, toolbox, and walking stick and then beats them is honestly the funniest and smartest form of protection

[@whiteeye3453]

And the most black air force energy

[@candiigurl7893]

Suddenly, I'm reminded of Billy and Mandy's Jacked Up Halloween.

[@KenwrathKDK]

It followed a similar theme but even though Jack was immortal anything cut with the reapers scythe can never be mended

[@candiigurl7893]

@@KenwrathKDK yep! I remember that.

[@brianlevine871]

That was an awesome episode! Plus, it's the only version of Stingy Jack (well Prankster, but still) that actually got into Hell.

[@ceceward5122]

I love that episode

[@matthew_natividad]

Time to go look for that ep

[@darriendastar3941]

I'm so old that when I was a littl'un in the pagan wastelands of Britain that we used to have to carve a turnip for Hallowe'en (pumpkins were definitely 'furrin muck, neither fit for man nor beast'. Apart from it being far more difficult to carve a turnip than a pumpkin, you have to factor in the absolutely horrendous stench of a candle cooking a turnip from the inside. It's entirely possible that the smell of a turnip jack-o-lantern did more to scare aware evil spirits than the carved face. (Also, you had the cringing embarrassment of your Dad scraping off the sooty bit of the inner turnip and then frying up the somewhat-cooked rest as part of his breakfast the next morning. Where I lived, on the morning of Nov 1st, was filled with the sounds of little children crying: "Ewww Daaad!!!"

[@2degucitas]

Was eating the turnip a common thing?

[@darriendastar3941]

@@2degucitas Eating turnips generally was pretty common throughout my childhood. And I still eat them today, once in a rare while.

[@BrightWendigo]

@@2degucitas probably as common as us using the seeds of the pumpkin if not more so

[@angeladavis9254]

Lol.

[@rcr76]

Yes .love that smell .an why would you not eat it needs taste great .my favourite veg

[@candiigurl7893]

"Now you know how I felt that morning I woke up next to your mother." Dang. Classic Jon Solo. 😂

[@elizahhoward3923]

Honestly he is offensive

[@ceceliakittyface5301]

Fr 😂

[@PanzerShrek94]

@@elizahhoward3923 yep.isn't that nice?

[@jaysamabihh]

Naw why he do my momma like tha😭

[@johnlane5704]

When his mom can't figure out who Jon's dad really is he has to say this

[@sunnybaudelaire15]

One time my dad (who’s from Dublin, we now live in America) told some American teenagers this story and scared them. He also carved a, what I can only describe as a wannabe voodo doll face, into a radish (he couldn’t find a turnip) and left in in our front window. And let me tell you, as a 5 year old, those things are scary as all get out. 😂

[@angeladavis9254]

Lol

[@niamhnir]

As an Irish person I didn’t know this, I knew we used to carve turnips but I didn’t know we were responsible for what is iconic in America. But it makes sense as our original Halloween Samhain is when the veil between the living and dead is at it’s thinnest to allow lost souls to crossover.

[@thedecafe1]

Lol 😂

[@kellysueballard7654]

Throwing out something I heard as a kid: the turnip jack o'lanterns light, if you use it to light your path (a lantern) on Halloween, will show you if the person you meet is someone dressed up or an actual spirit.

[@diamondsrubies1964]

Cool! 😄

[@shakky1001]

Jon solo doing it again. This is by far the best series on KZbin hands down.

[@danielmeredith4222]

I agree :) Jon Solo rocks and so do you 🌏

[@quintonlange5323]

I do really agree with this but Jon solo and James A Janisse are the same for me

[@kalishaspikes6363]

That’s a fact.

[@glaceongirlakasusie4961]

This is true.

[@smb-c3po]

But he should ditch the sponsorships and rely on Patreon like a normal person.

[@sdb9884]

It’s been a while since I have heard the original story. It was nice to learn the other and refresh my memory of the older one. Informative and entertaining, as always, Jon! Happy Spoopy Season!

[@OnizukaAllMighty]

"You'll see this face in your nightmares, and it's all thanks to me" I accepted the roast,but then he did this "Now you know how I felt when I woke up in the morning next to your mother"

[@Azulakayes]

Hilarious

[@djl1on641]

he did not have to do us like that 😭😂

[@kilam4971]

You know how much of a savage you gotta be to have the devil begging for mercy

[@missimccarthy8408]

Love when you bring up the tiny island of Ireland, its crazy to think what an influence we had on other countries. I know we obviously moved over in our droves to the US but still it's fascinating

[@KeithRingo]

Ah sure.. all good things can be traced back to us. Halloween, hard booze, creamy mashed potatoes, and red hair. The rest of the country just has to realise us here in Longford are the hidden gem.

[@missimccarthy8408]

@@KeithRingo Hahaha! We are quite amazing alright 😁 My family lives in Longford but I can't say I go there often tbh

[@KeithRingo]

@@missimccarthy8408 best county in Ireland, moved here from Dublin. Bought a 4 best cheaper than rent on an apartment in Dublin. Cows for neighbours, and 6 minutes from ?McDonald's and the cinema. And I'm an hour 20 drive from Dublin. Best of all worlds.

[@rowanw1312]

Eyyy I’m a Celtic Pagan so hearing you talk about Samhain and the Christians practices in that time is refreshing and awesome!

[@laurakuhn8743]

And he pronounced Samhain right! Yes!!!

[@cailinmolenda8990]

also a celtic pagan!!!

[@rowanw1312]

@@cailinmolenda8990 nice to see!

[@lukecage3485]

It was the Roman Catholic Church, not Christians.

[@rowanw1312]

@@lukecage3485 what do you think Roman Catholics are? Buddhist?

[@Heva1987]

The Irish coming to America must have been so happy to find and easier to crave vegetable like the pumpkin. I tried once to crave a turnip and it was hard work.

[@thedecafe1]

Lol 😂

[@BookwormBelle1191]

I never knew about Stingy Jack, only about the carving of turnips/pumpkins to scare away evil spirits. This is the kind of content I love to watch for the Spoopy Season. BTW, have you heard of the Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury? The story does cover the origins of the holiday and how different cultures celebrate it, plus it was an animated Hanna Barbara movie with Leonard Nimoy providing the voice of Moundshroud

[@Rissy617]

I effing love the Halloween tree! I still watch it every year 😅 so good

[@rachaelknudsen8801]

Such a moving book!

[@gregzotter6189]

I know it's a show, but...Gravity Falls has "Summerween" where they carve watermelons instead of pumpkins and watch out for The Summerween Trickster, a being that kills those that don't have the Summerween spirit.

[@shanestevens5352]

Satan: “Upholding deal is kinda my thing.” Also Satan: literally called the Father of the Lie

[@oceanberserker]

So every lawyer ever then?

[@Gargoyle9000]

My old history teacher told my class a version of the story where it was straight to the tree part and instead Jack carved a single cross on the trunk rather than surround it.

[@JonSolo]

Thanks for checking out the first episode of our annual Spoop-a-Thon! (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ What do you think about the origins of Jack-o'-Lanterns? Have you heard Stingy Jack's story before or perhaps another version? BIG SHOUTOUT to the newest member of the Messed Up Origins team Jack Daly for doing the research for this episode! There's no way I could have been so confident with my presentation without his help!

[@tayloredwards4968]

Please do a video on Frankenstein🎃

[@theresamiley8917]

I have read many short stories about a guy named Jack. He is a clever character who uses his brain to get out of trouble, like Brer Rabbit. Mostly from American Folk Tales and Songs by Richard Chase.

[@zuleymaarreola184]

Are we gonna get a corpse bride video this year?👀

[@crimsonffire]

You did it yay. Thank you

[@coleenocasturme]

Congratulations on your pronunciation of Samhain!!!! I'm interested in your source dating the story to the 8th century? The only Early Irish story I know of in this area is Echtrae Nerai / The Adventures of Nera. It's about many things, but includes having to carry a corpse on his back to find it a drink of water. No reference to marsh lights though...

[@AveryTalksAboutStuff]

I was told this story when I was ten and have been living with the trauma ever since. 😅

[@BlueberryFundip]

🙃

[@ceceward5122]

I learned the origins of Halloween through the Halloween documentary on the history channel

[@solus8685]

How's that trauma? Did you go to hell too?

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

JACK-O-LANTERN: Heaven and Hell denied my soul asylum DC COMIC'S LOBO: What a coincidence!

[@michaelwhitmire9015]

It would be interesting if lobos real name was jack or it was his alias.

[@persephone.333]

Congratulations! You are officially a part of my homeschool curriculum. Your videos are so thorough and well researched. I am so grateful there are still people who not only enjoy literature but feel compelled to research our very origins. Keep on keepin on guy💕

[@loki2240]

I had my oldest watch Jon's Pocahontas video last year as a 3rd grader. He had to watch the Disney movie for school, and that made me ill. So, I showed him Jon's video for some context (and reality).

[@wendychavez5348]

I want to be your student!

[@ladyofnoxus6733]

@@loki2240 the Disney movie isn't bad. It's just not historically accurate at all lol 😂

[@psychokinrazalon]

@@loki2240 That’s beyond concerning if that sanitized garbage is being shown in schools.

[@marvelismylife946]

@@psychokinrazalonpersonally I wouldn’t think it’s an issue unless they were showing it as historical representation, like they’re 8/9 year olds watching a popular Disney movie but I guess I’m Irish do I don’t have the perspective of being from the states and the kids probably don’t know that the events were very loosely based on real events

[@LetsNerdOut]

I love the story of Jack, I tell it every year to kids that come trick or treating

[@destoker]

That last story is also known as "The tinker of Tamlacht." But there he is a kind man who cheats of the devil ( and makes Dead the gothfather of his child, and tells God the truth by the way :) ) Look it up!

[@wendychavez5348]

I fell in love with pumpkin stew when my friend's mom in New Zealand served it to me. I've developed my own recipe (naturally with a New Mexico twist) but it's basically the same. When I asked what was for dinner and she said pumpkin stew, I hesitated cuz it didn't sound nearly as good as it smelled, but I was hooked after a single spoonful!

[@DamonNomad82]

My sister makes pumpkin cakes. The recipe is quite simple: one can of pumpkin and one box of spice cake mix. The results are surprisingly good.

[@pinkbrando]

I would love to try this if you're ever willing to share a base recipe!

[@wendychavez5348]

@@pinkbrando it's pretty basic. Fill a stock pot about halfway with water, add diced beef, chicken, or whatever meat you choose (skip if you don't eat meat), chunks of pumpkin (if you cut out the stem & fill it with water before baking it, the seeds will separate & be easy to remove, and you can just peel off the outer rim. This water can be added to the stew so you use as much of the oumpkin as possible--if you have the energy to shell these or other pumpkin seeds for the soup, its a great addition), diced tomatoes, celery, carrots, broccoli, whatever vegetables you wish. I include some green chile (uncooked, chopped very fine, I include the seeds though its less spicy if you remove them) because New Mexicans know green chile makes everything better. I also use fresh garlic, though powdered or granulated garlic is just as good. Parsley, salt, pepper, cilantro, basil, sage, oregano, rosemary, thyme, cumin, whatever spices you choose, to taste. Bring to a boil (I start with the meat, pumpkin, tomatoes, & spices over a medium flame add the other veggies as I get them chopped--they cook at different speeds so if texture is important the carrots should be last). When it's boiling, lower the flame/heat & let it simmer until you're ready to eat it--make sure to stir from time to time, & if it gets too thick it's probably time to take it off the stove . Not very exact, lots of room to play, adjust to suit yourself, & I hope you enjoy it!

[@EdiHooks0519]

Ah, yes! The veils are thinning! Traveling spirits just passing through, tricks for the naughty and treats for the sweet! May these cute pumpkins bring me abundance and prosperity!🎃❤💫

[@terminalsarcasm]

In one version Jack tricked the devil 3 times and in the second version he beat the crap out of the devil. I'm surprised the writers got away with that.

[@PixiePrincess501]

I'm only listening while painting, and the one time I look up at the video, JUMP SCARE!!! (The evil turnip face took me by surprise lmao)

[@Vixin24]

Cool! I never heard the origin story but fun fact, growing up in Ireland we would actually carve turnips instead of pumpkins. It was only in the last decade or so that pumpkins became more mainstream. My mum said they always used turnips when she was a kid too so the tradition carried on in Ireland even though the Irish immigrants to America switched to pumpkins. Although turnips are way more difficult to carve! They are much harder and denser than pumpkins so I remember being really happy when we swapped over to pumpkins haha

[@erictaylor5462]

I have seen Wil-O-the wisp. They are quite pretty actually.

[@mariarezende3761]

This channel fulfills my needs, history, crime and fantasy

[@DarknetDude]

This reminds me of that Halloween special for The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. It's very fitting that Jack was a trickster that tricked death itself.

[@leoniaruby7018]

I loved this! The lore of Stingy Jack was so much fun to listen to. It makes me sad that Halloween has passed, the story of Stingy Jack and how he became The Jack-o-Lanterns would have been a great story to tell on Halloween night.

[@darkwolf453]

I know the version where Jack carves a cross into the wood of the tree, to keep the devil trapped.

[@JonSolo]

that sounds way more practical than surrounding it with crosses!

[@jamieyoung9206]

@@JonSolo spoopy recommendations: messed up origins of wicked witches, messed up origins of Halloween, messed up origins of trick or treating, and messed up origins of exorcisms

[@darkwolf453]

@@jamieyoung9206 Oh trick or treat is easy! They used to put plates with special Samhain foods in front of the closed front doors, so that the roaming spirits from the other world would eat these foods and not the people inside their homes! Today the dressed up children represent the spirits and the people giving them candy is so that they don't do a "trick" on them, aka so they don't get eaten by the spirits. I love Samhain, it used to be a holiday where people would speak with their departed loved ones, since the two worlds touched each other at night and the dead could hear their family membera talking to them. It was more of a "remembering those before you" and "asking for advice" holiday that the modernised stuff today. I still celebrate it in the old way.

[@philipholder5600]

I LOVE anything pumpkin . Pies ,bread ,cake, drinks. It isn't groce.

[@320_allstar]

That's a wee bit basic dontcha think Edit I'm just playing I love everything pumpkin as well

[@loki2240]

I generally agree. But the Pumpkin Jo-Jo's are one of the few things at Trader Joe's that I don't like.

[@solus8685]

Bro wtf is groce

[@georgetrevino3532]

This is why kids need to understand history, the Columbia Exchange many years later led to the popularity of pumpkins in western Europe. Many people live daily without understanding the orgins of our favorite folklore.

[@cardcaptormyoki7345]

I laughed more than I shouldve at the 2nd version of Jacks story. Just the idea of him beating the shit out of demons and traumatizing the devil himself is hysterical

[@targetdreamer257]

There was this one time I went to a Halloween party and got volunttold to make the Jack o' Lanterns. Later that night we had the cop called on us because all of them were to scary or tow gruesome. We had to remove them. Good times!

[@cesarquijano94]

I actually remember a story similar to Stingey Jack from The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy. There was a pumpkin headed ghost who pulled pranks on people so much that even Grimm had trouble getting him. He was eventually killed by a knight.

[@thedecafe1]

Lol 😂

[@Shottii978]

I been watching for 4 years now, and I have to say this one have to b my most favorite messed up origins episode... thx jon solo...

[@_its.stephanie.rose_]

(5:53-6:00) Also known as ~in Japanese folklore~ Kodama, tree spirits, often known to create echoes in forests.

[@satanswife2546]

Also well known as guǐ huǒ in Chinese folklore, swamp, deep woods spirits

[@thepeternetwork]

Two things: 1) My family stopped the Jack-O-Lantern tradition of Halloween because we realized that after carving, the pumpkin had a half-life of 24-36 hours before becoming rotten. 2) I guess you can say that Jack "beat the devil out".

[@thedecafe1]

Lol 😂

[@ladykoiwolfe]

This got me excited. I love Halloween and know the tale of Stingy Jack. I love that you're covering Jack o'Lanterns.

[@thedecafe1]

Lol 😂

[@XonixDerps]

This is one of those tales that I learned about varying degrees so it was so cool to watch a vid on them from you going more indepth!

[@stephanieden4]

Same with me

[@WolfieGirlSheena]

Just found this and was so happy they pronounced Samhain right! It's frustrating seeing people peonounce words that should be common knowledge on pronunciation. But to see someone correctly pronounce a word that isn't so common is honestly a real treat!

[@CuriousBready]

I love how Jon manages to roast a KZbinr in almost all of his videos lol

[@crimson5163]

Can't believe I almost finished my day without looking at this 😩

[@magicpyroninja]

Well I've got to say he made three weird wishes but he sure as f*** did make good use of those three sticky objects

[@dafttool]

Who doesn’t have a favorite flail? It’s how I spend most weekends. 🤫

[@alicewilloughby4318]

Remind me to stay away from you on the weekends, dafttool!

[@dafttool]

@@alicewilloughby4318 No need. I’m my own repellent.

[@JonSolo]

ಠ_ಠ

[@wendychavez5348]

My partner has one also, though he doesn't use it much anymore. Apparently I've helped him feel stable enough to ... oh, PG13? Shutting up now.

[@americaroleplayer]

lmao I was just watching the playlist of Folklore explained while I carved my pumpkins yesterday! XD

[@Chuckles_the_Jester]

i don't know the exact origin of it, but i have seen one version where after the final trick, the devil didn't leave empy handed, taking jack's head and jack used the turnip lantern as his replacement head (would possible explain why a jack o lantern is a face)

[@shalu822]

I like this pne the best! 😈

[@Chuckles_the_Jester]

@@shalu822 same

[@g0yboy434]

Bro, you should do videos on the origin and meanings of names. Seems like Jake is very popular in folk tales and fairy tails.

[@wendychavez5348]

I vote that Jon Solo collaborate with Name Explain for that!

[@danimal4you]

Should’ve rephrased how “Will-o-the-Wisp” was a popular term, referenced in the movie Brave. Disney gets enough credit for taking ideas and fronting it as their own.

[@eacalvert]

I want to point out that it was common practice to use a carved turnip as lantern by those other than the wealthy as lanterns were expensive back then

[@danielclaw]

I always wanted to know what the origin of Jack-O-Lantern was and this is great to know!

[@trolletuva]

I think the costume is an Here and Werewolf. Very good video as always. Thanks.

[@alicewilloughby4318]

7:29 - Whoever carved this was talented! (and understood the concept of scary!) 10:07 - Did you just say, "... pull their face out of their butts"???

[@mistyfricke9579]

Man this was amazing Jon. My favorite channel on KZbin by far!

[@DamonNomad82]

The fact that Jack-o'-Lanterns were originally carved from turnips explains an old British alternate name for them: "Turnip Ghost".

[@wookieninja8794]

Once again I am reminded that centuries old folklore is infinitely scarier than anything modern and it makes me lament the death of creativity.

[@joshcullen7137]

My girlfriend has studied and researched stuff like this for a long time, she really enjoys your videos like this a lot

[@Spineless-Lobster]

I was wondering the origins of Jack O’ Lanterns, but I never bothered to look it up. I’m very happy to see you covering it!

[@jessicaclakley3691]

Whoo, give me that spooky season content I crave oh messed up origins lord

[@sethgross52]

Jon Solo bringing back the mom jokes is priceless 😂

[@main9087]

Irish culture is very unique and full of amazing characters and traditions. Thank you for Halloween.

[@Duater]

Just found this channel Through the Rikki Tikki Tavi video and subscribed immediately. And now to spend the next few months binging years' worth of videos. Great stuff, man!

[@FyreTeGo]

I'm playing a few horror games myself for October, so along with the videos you're making it's gonna be perfect. Love ya Jon

[@tristandawson3415]

Omg I remember this story I love it for some reason You gotta respect someone who out smarted the devil

[@whiteeye3453]

And beat the living shit out of him

[@brianlevine871]

I might've heard a bit about the original Stingy Jack tale, so I'm glad to get the full story, or stories, of this figure. Am I the only one who thinks of that 'Treehouse of Horror' segment where Homer sold his soul to Devil-Flanders for a donut, only with Stingy Jack's tricks?

[@ladyofnoxus6733]

I love how the devil just straight up goes nope 🙅🏻 to jack lol 😆 just a big troll move.

[@donnacollins402]

I'm still amazed people are able to hollow out a turnip

[@wendychavez5348]

Is Gunther an Ewok? or a gremlin? He's an adorable one, whatever he is!

[@erin--6627]

I am always a fan of your videos; ty for making it a spoopy season

[@BlueJay2]

The flash lightning did make me jump, because I'd glanced away from the screen right before it happened XD

[@allisonchristie5252]

I'm from the north east of England with Irish and Scottish ancestry. We have always hollowed and carved turnips at Halloween. I let mine turnips dry out for a couple weeks, yeah they stink, but afterwards they look really great. Like little scary shrunken heads

[@sceptrick2543]

I always look forward for your Halloween episodes

[@thedecafe1]

Lol 😂

[@bluesentinelavoch4440]

Been dabbing and watching your videos for a year now love it man

[@boondocksdragon8959]

Turnip Jon O' the Lantern is the freakiest thing in this video. 😂

[@ericacook2862]

Two things. Jack, is Sisyphus. Think about it. He foolishly, and ineffectively tricks death. He leaves himself in an eternal trial, that will never be able to be accomplished. This is his punishment. Secondly, as a pagan I was taught that Jacqueline turns were first created, using turnips, as a way for Christians to mock the pagan belief in spirituality. During the time when the line between the living and the dead is that it's finest, Christians made fun of pagan values by putting out eerie spiritual looking entities around their homes to scare them. And then would bang at their doors demanding food and treats. And that was the origin of trick or treating.

[@everchangingbeing]

THE DAVID COMMENT LMFAOO

[@celticmelody7574]

YAYY I ASKED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR SPOOPY SEASON!!

[@agcc.1998]

I was liking the video so far but after that subtle shade towards Davin Doobrik I'm completely loving it.

[@thecrippledpancake9455]

9:41 John I love your work but you gotta remember that Jack-o-lanterns were never originally carved out of potatoes.

[@amandaguenther2770]

Love the research that goes into the videos he makes. Always a fun and interesting watch!

[@rtristan82]

Definitely enjoying your content! Subscribed!

[@michellecornum5856]

YAY!! SPOOPY SEASON!! My guess as to Gunther's costume -- An Awake Dog.

[@Sean-rv5yp]

Hey Jon, I'm a kid from South Africa and I was wondering if you could do a story based off of the tokoloshi

[@Angelicwings1]

In Irish tradition it was the turnips. That’s what I came to understand. Sadly I’m stuck in Australia. I petition for Christmas and Halloween stuff to take place at appropriate pagan times here. It’s no fun wearing Halloween costumes in spring

[@Maria-dm7qo]

Wow that was something else good job I'm hoping that you're going to do the next messed up Origins Halloween theme about hocus-pocus based on the Disney's 90s movies or Tim Burton the Nightmare Before Christmas .

[@karenritter2574]

Love it, nicely done

[@josephcarvil9474]

Can you talk about Geryon form Greek Mythology next! 🙃