Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Bed Sheet Ghosts
Oct 25, 2023
Discover the whimsical origins of bed sheet ghosts and their cultural significance as Halloween staples. Uncover historical ties from 17th century Britain, where sheets wrapped the deceased. Hear about a comical yet tragic misunderstanding in the 1800s involving a man mistaken for a ghost. Explore the evolution of ghostly imagery and how the bed sheet representation transformed over time. Finally, get inspired with playful ideas for Halloween costumes that bring these iconic figures to life.
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Origin of Bedsheet Ghosts
- The tradition of bedsheet ghosts stems from the historical use of burial shrouds.
- If the dead returned as ghosts, people assumed they'd still be wearing their shrouds.
Sheet-Wearing Thieves
- In London, thieves wore white sheets to scare people and rob them.
- Some would scare people from their homes, while others robbed them on the streets.
The Killing of Thomas Millwood
- Thomas Millwood, known for wearing all white, was mistaken for a ghost and killed in 1805.
- Francis Smith, the killer, was pardoned by King George III after claiming he thought Millwood was a ghost.