In Mexico, Día de los Muertos is a modern holiday centered on All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day at the beginning of November; it now follows the Catholic church calendar, but has its roots in ancient Aztec celebrations. Cultures around the world have always had festivals to honor their ancestors, or to make offerings to the spirits of the dead to bring good fortune or avoid curses. In Japan, the dance-filled O-Bon-Dori festival has been going on every August since the 16th century, and people across China participate in Qingming in early spring each year, as they clean and sweep the family burial sites and leave fresh offerings and memorials.

In the British Isles at the time of the Celts, the end of summer was celebrated with harvest festivals. When Christianity arrived, the church tried to convert the traditional celebrations into religious observances, and combined the harvest feast with the feast of all saints, or “All Hallows Day” (November 1st). The spiritual aspect of the holiday soon took on a supernatural aspect, and now “All Hallows’ Evening” – shortened to Halloween – is traditionally seen as a time when ghosts and spirits are able to walk the waking world. In the United States and to a lesser extent in Britain and other countries, children dress up as ghosts and goblins (or today, as the X-Men and Harry Potter) and go door to door with lights, begging for treats.

We’ve got a whole pumpkin-full of treats for you today: a list of words that you can use to enrich your vocabulary, which all relate to the word “ghost” or “spirit.” Remember, your communication will be more interesting the more words you’re able to use – and not just when you’re communicating with the dead.

apparition (AH-puh-RIH-shun)

phantasm (fan-TAH-zum)

revenant (REH-veh-nuhnt)

poltergeist (POHL-tur-gist) note that the final syllable rhymes with “eye”

specter (SPEK-tur)

wraith (RAYTH)

This post has been written by a “ghost writer” on behalf of the Ultimate Vocabulary team, who have all been spirited away for the evening. But we’re sure they’ll be back … eventually. MWAHAHAHAHA!