Whether You Call It Mischief Cabbage Or Goosey Night Here S The Story Of A New Jersey Tradition

I spent every October 30th in New Jersey for decades until one year when I decided to visit family out of state for Halloween. I asked my hospitable hosts if my car would be safe. From what? Silly string, toilet paper, or worse…eggs. Following a few strange looks, I learned that Mischief Night is a Jersey thing.

It turns out that our little local tradition has a long history, dating back to 1790 in Great Britain.

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It was a springtime celebration, meant to blow off steam. In the dark of night, locals would wander the streets causing mischief.

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These acts of mischief were mostly harmless (littering the streets with rotting cabbage) and were perpetrated by children.

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Those kids became adults who eventually made their way to the United States, specifically the Garden State.

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Somewhere in the early 1900s, the date moved from spring to autumn, falling on October 30th.

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Today, many teens still celebrate Mischief Night by toilet papering trees, silly stringing sidewalks, and throwing eggs and shaving cream everywhere.

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A recent poll showed that while most New Jerseyans use the term Mischief Night, Cabbage Night and Goosey Night are also popular - particularly in Northeast New Jersey.

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The tradition does (to a lesser degree) extend into surrounding states and similar events take place in Michigan (Devil’s Night) and Quebec (Mat Night).

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In recent years, cops have cracked down on the tradition and kids are more interested in online mischief. I remember growing up and seeing toilet paper all over town. Now, it’s just a few trees. Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing? Did you celebrate Mischief Night growing up? What did you call it? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments.