what is trick or treat in halloween

Trick-or-treating is a traditional Halloween custom for children and adults in some countries. During the evening of Halloween, people in costumes travel from house to house, asking for treats with the phrase "trick or treat". The "treat" is some form of confectionery, usually candy/sweets, although in some cultures money is given instead. The "trick" refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the resident(s) or their property if no treat is given. The phrase is a subtle suggestion that if a treat (like candy) is given, then the child will not perform a “trick" (mischief) on the owner of the house. Trick-or-treating has been a popular Halloween activity since the late 1950s in the United States and Canada. The custom of trick-or-treating started in the western United States and Canada and slowly moved eastward. The term “trick or treat" first appeared in print in 1927 in Canada. The custom of trick-or-treating may come from the belief that supernatural beings, or the souls of the dead, roamed the earth at this time and needed to be appeased.