Dialects of Halloween, Mischief Night, and Bonfire Night
Local dialect words are filled with spooky connotations.
In different parts of England, children were warned of the “bogeyman,” or “boggart,” who would come for them if they misbehaved. From “bugabowl” in Worcestershire to “bogle” in the Northern counties, these figures embodied the fear of mischievous spirits.
Another classic Halloween creature, the bat, was known by names like “flitter-mouse” or “ekkymowl,” symbolising omens of dark deeds in the night.
Some Yorkshire homes were protected from witches by witch posts, wooden posts carved with crosses and placed by the fireplace to prevent witches from entering down the chimney. An example can be found at the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton-le-Hole.
Witch post, 1967 (LAVC/PHO/S727)
Recorded in 1973, local informant Frank Weatherill shared a fascinating tradition where a sixpence was placed in a butter churn to protect the butter from being spoiled by witches.
Frank Weatherill, Danby, 1973 (LAVC/SRE/A630r)
Another popular protective charm was the witch stone—a stone with a natural hole in it, believed to guard against evil spirits. These stones were hung in homes and barns to keep the household safe.
Luck stone, 1964 (LAVC/PHO/P1669)
Folklore is rich with tales of witches transforming into animals, particularly hares, to escape detection or cause harm. Frank Weatherill also mentioned reports of people encountering hares that mysteriously vanished, adding to the supernatural aura surrounding Halloween.
Witches are famously depicted flying through the night on brooms, but in many parts of the country, this broomstick had a variety of names depending on local dialect. The term “besom” was commonly used in many regions to describe a broom. In Yorkshire and elsewhere in the North, you might also hear it called a “birch-besom” or “twig-brush,” referencing the natural materials used to craft it. Other regional variations include “bats-broom,” “brush-broom,” “leaf-broom,” and even “wisk-broom.”
So, when you picture a witch flying through the night, remember that depending on where she’s from, she might be riding a besom, birch-broom, or even a twig-brush!
