Over the centuries, Halloween trick-or-treating has had more than its fair share of devils roaming the streets—both harmless and harmful. Not to ignore its obvious connotation of evil, let’s add a little levity to life and explore the devil’s role with playful tongue in cheek …
DEVILRY (‘de-vɘl-rē; 14c.) [or deviltry] n. – 1a) action performed with the help of the devil: witchcraft; b) wickedness; c) mischief; 2) an act of devilry. [WW #292]
Throw in a little devilment, a devil-may-care attitude, and a devilish rogue, for a hyper-mischievous Halloween! Don’t forget, you’ll have the devil to pay if you go too far, but a fun night of devilry in the lightest sense of the word can add an impish charm to your All Hallows Eve.
From ancient centuries, Halloween has meant a Celtic celebration of summer’s end, the harvest, and a lifting of the veil between the living and dead, in a festival to honor saints and martyrs. As History.com tells its modern day evolution, “All Souls’ Day was celebrated similarly to Samhain [Celtic festival], with big bonfires, parades and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels and devils. The All Saints’ Day celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day) and the night before it, the traditional night of Samhain [SOW-in] in the Celtic religion, began to be called All-Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.”
Whatever your relationship with the devil and his devilry (if any or none) there is a cute little devil with a trick-or-treat bag full of references for your writings and chats. To some, he is more heinous than hilarious; so keep that in mind, or you may indeed, have the devil to pay.
Word Challenge: DEVILRY. For the Irish or Irish at heart, enjoy a little “Cleas nó cóir”! (class noh koh-ir)! (“Trick or Treat” in Gaelic), as you fit devilry into your week of delightfully wicked writings and creepy conversations.
Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.
Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle)
Happy Halloween!
Wicked Witch of the
West
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter
[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]
*LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.
E-N-Dzzzzzzzz
