I was just reading the wikipedia article about trick or treating, and I ran across this:
Quote:
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Children of the St. Louis, Missouri area are expected to perform a joke, usually a simple Halloween-themed pun or riddle, before receiving any candy; this "trick" earns the "treat".
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It reminded me of when I was 8. We lived in St. Louis that year. I was so confused when one of the neighbors dragged us into their house and insisted we sing a song before they'd give us any candy. (I think they may have asked for a joke first, but we didn't know one, so they settled for a song.) I remember thinking they didn't understand the whole concept of trick or treat. Now I see it was just the local custom. What a hoot! 42 years later I figure it out!