General
guiser
What does guiser mean?
Someone in disguise; especially a child 'guising' (going house to house performing for treats) at Halloween.
"The guisers chapped the door singin' for sweeties."
Origin
Scots, from 'guise' (disguise/costume); the tradition predates modern trick-or-treating.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'guiser'?
A guiser is a person in disguise, especially a child who goes house to house at Halloween performing a song, poem or joke for treats — the tradition of 'guising'.
How is guising different from trick-or-treating?
Guising traditionally requires the child to perform something for their treat, and the Scots practice predates modern American-style trick-or-treating.
Where does 'guiser' come from?
It's Scots, from 'guise' meaning disguise or costume.
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