Mischief Night

English

Proper noun

Mischief Night (plural Mischief Nights)

1. (UK, Canada, US) A particular night during which young people play pranks and do mischief in their neighborhoods.
   1. (dated, originally) The night before May Day.
   2. (UK) Mostly practiced in the North West of England, Mischief night (“missie night” in Liverpool ) is the 30th of October (the night before Halloween).
   3. (US, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and especially New Jersey) The night of the 30th to the 31st of October (the night before Halloween).

Synonyms

• (around New York City, Connecticut, Rhode Island): Trick Night
• (around New York City, Connecticut, Rhode Island): Gate Night
• (New York City, upstate New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont): Cabbage Night (especially in upstate New York, Vermont, and Bergen County, NJ)
• (around New York City): Goosey Night
• (Chicago, Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, coastal New England): Devil's Night (especially in Michigan)
• (Liverpool): Mizzy Night

References

• The Dialect Survey