“Trick or treat!” is a popular Halloween shout. “Halloween apples!” (or “Any Halloween apples!”) is another cry that has been popular in Canada, especially in the provinces of Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. A usual response to the cry would be for the household to give out apples.
 
“HALLOWE’EN APPLES. FOR SALE, a Large Quantity of APPLES, consisting of Belgian Rennets, French Rennets, and Jersey Apples” was printed in the Dundee (Scotland) Courier on November 12, 1856. “HALLOWE’EN APPLES. 30 BBLS. CHOICE” was printed in The Evening Gazette (St. John, NB) on October 30, 1889. “Hallowe’en Apples. ‘FAMEUSE’ and ‘GRAVENSTEINS’” was printed in The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec) on October 30, 1900.
   
“We want an apple—a Hallowe’en apple!” was printed in the Winnipeg (Manitoba) Tribune on November 1, 1912. “The time-honored custom of the kiddies wandering from door to door, asking for apples, was again extensively carried out last night. ‘Have you any Hallowe’en apples?’ was the burning questions piped or asked in disguised voices throughout the evening” was printed in the Ottawa (ON) Evening Journal on November 1, 1912.
 
“Hallowe’en, apples please!” was printed in the Winnipeg (Manitoba) Evening Tribune on October 28, 1916. “Shouted, ‘Hallowe’en Apples’ or ‘Treats or Tricks’” was printed in The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan) on October 31, 1936. “Any Hallowe’en apples!” was printed in The Evening Citizen (Ottawa, ON) on November 1, 1951.
 
“Here they call ‘trick or treat’; on the Prairies they say ‘any Hallowe’en apples’ (crude, but direct) and in Quebec they bellow ‘charitie’” was printed in the Victoria (BC) Daily Times on October 29, 1955.
 
“Shell out!” and “Charity, please!” are other Halloween shouts.
 
“Soul! soul! for an apple or two; If you’ve got no apples, pears will do” is a related chant that was used for souling on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd) in the 1800s.
         
   
Wikipedia: Trick-or-treating
Trick-or-treating is a traditional Halloween custom for children and adults in some countries. In the evening before All Saints’ Day (1 November), children in costumes travel from house to house, asking for treats with the phrase “Trick or treat”. The “treat” is usually some form of candy, although in some cultures money is given instead. The “trick” refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the homeowner(s) or their property if no treat is given. Trick-or-treating usually occurs on the evening of October 31.
 
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12 November 1856, Dundee (Scotland) Courier, pg. 1, col. 2 ad:
HALLOWE’EN APPLES.
FOR SALE, a Large Quantity of APPLES, consisting of Belgian Rennets, French Rennets, and Jersey Apples.
   
Canadiana
30 October 1889, The Evening Gazette (St. John, NB), pg. 1, col. 1 ad:
HALLOWE’EN APPLES.
30 BBLS. CHOICE
No. 1 and No. 2 Bishop Pippins
 
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30 October 1900, The Gazette (Montreal, Quebec), pg. 6, col. 4 ad:
Hallowe’en Apples.
“FAMEUSE” and “GRAVENSTEINS.”
 
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27 October 1902, The Morning Citizen (Ottawa, ON), pg. 4, col. 1 ad:
WHEN BUYING YOUR
Hallowe’en Apples
CALL AND SEE THE CHOICE SELECTION
IN OUR
FRUIT DEPARTMENT
   
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1 November 1912, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Tribune, “Less Damage Upon Night of Pranks,” pg. 8, col. 1:
“We want an apple—a Hallowe’en apple!”
 
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1 November 1912, Ottawa (ON) Evening Journal, pg. 14, col. 3:
HALLOWE’EN
CELEBRATED
(...)
The time-honored custom of the kiddies wandering from door to door, asking for apples, was again extensively carried out last night. “Have you any Hallowe’en apples?” was the burning questions piped or asked in disguised voices throughout the evening.
 
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28 October 1916,  Winnipeg (Manitoba) Evening Tribune, “How Jolly” by Phyllis Clark (Age 14), The Tribune Junior, pg. 1, col. 1:
In our country Hallowe’en really is the nightly celebration, usually carried on by boys who go around from house to house calling “Hallowe’en, apples please!” And sometimes people come to the door with apples for the every-ready, happy boys.
       
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27 October 1917, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Evening Tribune, The Tribune Junior, pg. 1, col. 1:
Ting-aling-along, will go everybody’s doorbell, and a group of little gnomes with hands in pockets to keep them warm will be jumping up and down in the chilly night air on the veranda, and calling:
   
“Hallowe’en apples! Hallowe’en apples!”
 
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3 November 1917, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Evening Tribune, “Hallowe’en Apples” by Peter Torrance (Age 12), The Tribune Junior, pg. 1, col. 1:
MANY boys and girls go around to houses on Hallowe’en for apples.
 
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20 November 1920, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Evening Tribune, “Hallowe’en” by Fanny MacLoed (Age 14), The Tribune Junior, pg. 1, col. 1:
Some children go from door to door asking for Hallowe’en apples.
 
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1 November 1921, The Leader (Regina, Saskatchewan), “Hallowe’en Observed in City by Many Parties and Pranks,” pg. 12, col. 5:
“Hallowe’en apples” were handed out in scores to hungry kiddies, who made their way into practically every store that was open, with their demand for their annual free feed of apples.
       
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27 October 1924, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Evening Tribune, pg. 12, col. 4 ad:
Hallowe’en
APPLES
“Hallowe’en Apples!” Hear the Kiddies Cry.
Be sure and have a box of luscious B.C. apples in your pantry on this occasion.
(Hudson’s Bay Company.—ed.)
 
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24 October 1925, The Leader (Regina, Saskatchewan), Torchbearers’ Magazine, “How Will You Celebrate Hallowe’en?,” pg. 2, col. 2:
There is dressing up in fancy costumes, and either going to parties or around to houses asking for “Hallowe’en apples.”
     
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29 October 1926, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Evening Tribune, “Preserving Hallowe’en” by V. V. M., pg. 4, col. 5:
I applaud the spirits which prompts bright-eyed maidens to borrow their brothers’ suits. I endorse the sentiment which lies behind the shrill-voiced demand for Hallowe’en apples, ...
 
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2 November 1926, Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) Phoenix, “Hallowe’en Pranks Many; Some Afford Discomfort,” pg. 3, col. 6:
While small boys and girls, in all many of fancy costume, and assorted masks, made their customary appeal for “Hallowe’en apples” as practically every home in Saskatoon and Sutherland Monday evening, bigger boys and youths made merry in the downtown section, ...
 
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1 November 1927, Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) Daily Star, “Hallowe’en Crowd Noisy,” pg. 7, col. 3:
The smaller children ran from house to house with the familiar cry of “Hallowe’en apples.”
 
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31 October 1928, Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) Star-Phoenix, “Hallowe’en,” pg. 14, col. 4:
Parties and celebrations are certain to be general throughout the city, and more than one peaceful household will, unless it is disconnected, hear the doorbell ringing with the familiar plea of “Hallowe’en apples,” please.
   
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28 October 1929, Edmonton (Alberta) Journal, pg. 4, col. 2:
“Hallowe’en Apples!”
(An editorial.—ed.)
 
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31 October 1930. Winnipeg (Manitoba), Tribune, pg. 19, col. 3:
HALLOWE’EN
Take off the gate
Spike down the garage
Hallowe’en spirits
Will soon be at large.
“Hallowe’en apples!”
They want more and more
If you refuse them
There’s trouble in store.
 
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1 November 1932, Edmonton (Alberta) Journal, ‘Hallowe’en Quiet, No Damage Done,” pg. 14, col. 5:
They saw thousands of children walking about from door to door, shouting “Hallowe’en apples” and having a whale of a time.
   
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31 October 1936, Vancouver (BC) Province, ‘Old Timer Raises Ghosts Of Bygone Halloweens” by Mollie Sapera, Sunday Magazine, pg. 5, col. 6:
“Kids just come around and shout ‘Halloween apples!’ ‘n put soap all over your windows if you don’t give ‘em something.”
 
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31 October 1936, The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan), “A Hallowe’en Masquerade” by Violet Latimer (14), Torchbearers’ Magazine, pg. 7, col. 1:
The streets were dimly lighted; ugly, gleaming faces of Jack o’ Lanterns shone from the windows; witches and goblins decorated the window panes, and boys and girls of all sizes and description shouted, “Hallowe’en Apples” or “Treats or Tricks.”
 
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1 November 1939, The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan), “Regina Lights,” pg. 13, col. 5:
THE LADY who answered the door was ready with a compliment for the pretty little girl who came begging for Hallowe’en apples.
     
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30 October 1941, The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan), pg. 11, col. 7:
NIGHT OF REVELS
(...)
When ghouls and goblins put to rout
All sober thought and eerie shout,
And lads and lassies by the score
Shout “Hallowe’en apples,” at the door.
—Jessie McDonald, Winnipeg.
 
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30 October 1941, Edmonton (Alberta) Journal, “Ghosts, Witches Out on Friday,” pg. 14, col. 8:
It gives them a chance to collect apples, candy, peanuts and popcorn from each house in the neighborhood without having to explain why. They just have to shout: ‘Hallowe’en Apples!”
     
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4 November 1941, The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan), “Regina Lights,” pg. 7, col. 3:
The fist went out for a walk Hallowe’en night. As he trudged along the streets he saw hurrying groups of youngsters, clad in strange costumes, run from door-to-door crying: “Hallowe’en apples.”
 
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2 November 1942, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Tribune, “Police, Citizens Enjoy Quiet Hallowe’en,” pg. 13, col. 1:
The police had occasion to phone one citizen, and he, having heard youngsters shouting “Hallowe’en apples” on his door step for two hours, picked up the received and said, “Hallowe’en apples.” The police understood.
 
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14 November 1942, Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) Star-Phoenix, “Helped Red Cross On Hallowe’en,” The Prairie Pals, pg. 1, col. 4:
We went from house to house as we generally do, but instead of shouting, “Hallowe’en apples,” we offered the householder an apple, put on a little skit or some songs and then asked them to donate to us the money that they would ordinarily spend on treats for us.
 
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25 October 1944, Winnipeg (Manitoba) Tribune, “Special Tickets Will Buy Milk for British Children,” pg. 5, col. 5:
Instead of the traditional shout for Hallowe’en apples next Tuesday evening, Winnipeg children are being encouraged by the Kinsmen club to yell “Shell out for the kids in Britain.”
     
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26 October 1951, Vancouver (BC) Daily Province, “Adults Scare Up Fun On Spooks Night Out” by Winne McLear, pg. 28, col. 1:
When the doorbell rings and sparkling eyes peer through grotesque and crazy-looking masks, it’s a lot of fun talking to the small fry, trying to determine who they are under their outlandish disguises and handing out the goodies in response to “Halloween apples!”
 
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1 November 1951, The Evening Citizen (Ottawa, ON), “Hallowe’en ‘Peaceful Old Fellow,’” pg. 34, col. 7:
To most householders, Hallowe’en was an endless procession of gruesomely-costumed youngsters, who rang doorbells and shouted “Tricks or treats!”
 
Or “Any Hallowe’en apples!”
 
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29 October 1955, Victoria (BC) Daily Times, “Youngsters May Jump Gun: Halloween Double-Barreled This Year?” by Tony Dickason, pg. 15, col. 5:
Kids, sometimes culturally called children, have a rote through Canada in their noisy solicitations at neighborhood homes. Here they call “trick or treat”; on the Prairies they say “any Hallowe’en apples” (crude, but direct) and in Quebec they bellow “charitie.”
 
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27 October 1956, Calgary (Alberta) Herald, “Witches and Goblins Don’t Forget Their Shut-In Friends” by Elizabeth Motherwell, pg. 2, col. 1:
When other Calgary youngsters set off to make their way along the streets of the town shouting for “Hallowe’en apples,” ninety patients at the Red Cross hospital, whose homes are in all parts of Alberta, will burst ballonns and call for treats along the hospital corridors.
 
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30 October 1956, Ottawa (ON) Citizen, “Childish Hallowe’en Tricks Sneered At By Today’s Teen” by Bob Martin, pg. 21, cols. 1-2:
The wee ones are out, all night, mumbling “trick or treat” or “Hallowe’en Apple” from behind their weird and grotesque masks.
       
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31 October 1956, The Province (Vancouver, BC), “‘Trick or treat’ bonanza for tots in candied apples on hand tonight” by Winnie McLear, For Miss and Mrs. sec., pg. 3, col. 3:
It will be happy looting for youngsters if you have a supple of candy apples ready when the “trick or treat” set come calling for “Halloween apples!”
 
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30 October 1957, Victoria (BC) Daily Times, “One Night to Howl: Pint-Sized Spectres Ready for Halloween” by Tony Dickason, pg. 30, col. 4:
The children here in their visits from door to door in the neighborhood say “trick or treat.” On the prairies, the youngsters merely yell “any Halloween apples?” while in Frenchspeaking Canada they shout “charitie!”
 
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30 October 1958, Whitehourse (Yukon) Star, “Ghostly Stanzas Herald All Hallow’s Eve,” pg. 1, col. 6:
Visitors by Harry Miller
Hallowe’en apples!
Open your door!
Goblins!
Ghosts!
And witches four.
 
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29 October 1960, Saskatoon (Saskatchewan) Star-Phoenix, “A Story About Hallowe’en” by Patricia Popoff,  The Prairie Pals, pg. 1, col. 5:
“Hallowe’en apples” called out a group of children one Hallowe’en.
 
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31 October 1961, The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan), “Origins of Hallowe’en: A scary time for children” by Madeline Tauchman, pg. 17, col. 4:
Wearing costumes or grotesque masks, or draped in sheets, they troop from door to door with the familiar shout, “Hallowe’en apples!” and the accompanying threat of trick or treat.
 
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1 November 1966, Brandon (Manitoba) Sun, pg. 1, col. 3 photo caption:
THEY GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT—A spooky moon was shaded by drifting clouds last night, while a cold wind prowled over Brandon. On the wings of the winds came little people by the score, all sizes and all shapes. A camera set up in the entrance way of one home caught these Hallowe’en visitors, only a few of the dozens who rang the door bell, shouting “Hallowe’en Apples!”
     
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29 October 1960, Ottawa (ON) Citizen, “It’s No Trick To Treat” by Margaret Oliver, Weekend Magazine, pg. 42, col. 2:
There is no other time quite like Hallowe’en for the youngsters. The words that echo down Canadian streets may be slightly different. In some parts of the country there are “Hallowe’en apples!” In others they are “Trick or treat!” or “Charity!”
 
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28 October 1970, Edmonton (Alberta) Journal, “Halloween perils can be avoided” by Elaine Byron, pg. 24, col. 1:
Thousands of little voices will be joining in a gleeful chorus of “Halloween Apples” or “Trick or Treat,” Saturday night.
 
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28 October 1987, Edmonton (Alberta) Journal, Neighbors sec., pg. 1, col. 1:
Whether you say ‘trick or treat’ or ‘Halloween Apples,’ have a fun time. 
 
Twitter
StayAtHomeBrad
@brad_stay
Apparently Canadians didn’t yell “Trick or Treat” some years ago. Instead they yelled “Halloween Apples!”
Just take a moment to process that.
#FridayThoughts
8:39 AM · Nov 1, 2019·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter
Jana G. Pruden
@jana_pruden
Did you call “Halloween Apples” or “Trick or Treat” as a kid?  (And also, where are you from?)
Wondering about this thanks to my friend
@franklandry on Facebook.
11:06 AM · Oct 31, 2019·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter
Hardcover Canada
@CanadaHardcover
Replying to @jana_pruden and @franklandry
I think this is more of a generational difference than location. When I grew up in Alberta it was mainly “Halloween Apples” but now most kids seem to do “Trick or Treat.”
12:51 AM · Nov 1, 2019·Twitter for Android
 
Twitter
Gremliny Nussboo
@emilynussbaum·Jul 3, 2020
HALLOWEEN APPLES?? I did not know this. https://newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/make-america-canada-again
 
Sharrona pro-abortion Pearl🇺🇦
@Sharronapearl
Replying to @emilynussbaum
I have never heard it and I spent a lot of time being Canadian.  We did, however, say “shell out” instead of “trick or treat.”
4:17 PM · Jul 3, 2020·Twitter Web App