Souling didn't survive the holiday's migration from Europe to the United States. In America, the first Halloween celebrations were a way to mark the end-of-year harvest season, and the food that was served mainly consisted of homemade seasonal treats like caramel apples and mixed nuts. There were no soul cakes—or candies, for that matter—to be found.
在歐洲的節日向美國遷徙時，「索靈」風俗沒有留存下來。在美國，最初的萬聖節慶祝活動是為了紀念歲末的收穫季節，節日食物主要是自製的應季美食，比如焦糖蘋果和什錦堅果。那時候萬聖節沒有靈魂蛋糕，也沒有糖果。
It wasn't until the 1950s that trick-or-treating gained popularity in the US. Following the Great Depression and World War II, the suburbs were booming, and people were looking for excuses to have fun and get to know their neighbors. The old practice of souling was resurrected and made into an excuse for kids to dress up in costumes and roam their neighborhoods. Common trick-or-treat offerings included nuts, coins, and homemade baked goods ("treats" that most kids would turn their noses up at today).
直到20世紀50年代，「不給糖就搗蛋」才在美國風靡起來。大蕭條和二戰結束後，美國郊區開始繁榮起來，人們想找個由頭樂一樂並結識鄰居。於是，「索靈」的老習俗就復興了，並讓孩子們有藉口化裝打扮，在街區遊蕩。給「搗蛋鬼」準備的東西通常包括堅果、硬幣和自製的烘焙食品，今天的大多數孩子恐怕都看不上這些東西。
turn one's nose up at: 對……嗤之以鼻
That changed when the candy companies got their hands on the holiday. They had already convinced consumers that they needed candy on Christmas and Easter, and they were looking for an equally lucrative opportunity to market candy in the fall. The new practice of trick-or-treating was almost too good to be true. Manufacturers downsized candies into smaller, bite-sized packages and began marketing them as treats for Halloween. Adults were grateful to have a convenient alternative to baking, kids loved the sweet treats, and the candy companies made billions.
後來糖果公司把手伸向了這一節日，情況就發生了改變。糖果商已經讓消費者相信，他們需要在聖誕節和復活節吃糖果，於是他們開始尋找一個在秋天營銷糖果的同樣有利可圖的良機。「不給糖就搗蛋」的新風俗對他們而言簡直是天賜的好運。製造商縮小了糖果包裝，將一口一個的小糖果獨立包裝，並將其作為萬聖節款待食品來推銷。成年人很慶幸可以買到這麼方便的零食而不用再親手烘焙，孩子們喜歡這些糖果的味道，糖果公司也因此大賺特賺。
Today, it's hard to imagine Halloween without Skittles, chocolate bars, and the perennial candy corn debates. But when you're digging through a bag or bowl of Halloween candy this October, remember that you could have been having eating soul cakes instead.
時至今日，已經難以想像沒有彩虹糖、巧克力棒和長年備受爭議的玉米糖的萬聖節。但是今年十月，當你捧著一袋或一碗萬聖節糖果大吃的時候，別忘了你原本可能吃的是「靈魂蛋糕」。
perennial[pəˈreniəl]: adj. 常年的;四季不斷的
原標題：萬聖節知多少：萬聖節的由來
責任編輯：凌芹莉