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Today is Halloween. It is becoming more popular in Japan, but how is it celebrated in the U.S.? Let’s look at some numbers to find out. What do most people do on Halloween in the U.S.? About 70% said that they handed out candy to children in the neighborhood who come by and say “Trick or treat!” Almost 50% of Americans dress up in costumes, and about the same number carve pumpkins. Only about 35% actually go trick-or-treating. That is because trick-or-treating is for children, not for adults. I was surprised to see that more than 15% of Americans put costumes on their pets! (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Notes:
illegal 不法の、違法の;
blindfolded 目隠しをつける;
donkey ロバ;
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There are some very strange old laws in the U.S. For example, it’s illegal to drive blindfolded in Alabama. (Of course! If your eyes are covered, you can’t see! Do you need a law to stop people from doing it?) In Arizona, it’s illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub. (But why would a donkey sleep in a bathtub? And why is that bad?) In Hawaii, it’s illegal to put a coin in your ear. (Are they worried that coins would hurt your ear?) In Montana, it’s illegal to raise rats. (Scientists use rats for experiments. Aren’t there are any scientists in Montana?) (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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