“Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!”
If you've ever heard a group of giddy kids chant this playful rhyme while skipping down the street in costume, you’re not alone. But have you ever stopped to wonder where this cheeky chant came from — and why on earth we’re telling people to sniff our toes?
📌 Related: Why Do We Say Trick or Treat?
Wait… Why Feet?
Let’s get one thing clear: no one actually wants their feet sniffed on Halloween night. The phrase “smell my feet” is a classic example of schoolyard silliness — absurd, a little rude, and absolutely perfect for kids testing boundaries in the safest of settings: Halloween.
The rhyme is often shouted after the traditional “Trick or treat!” — but unlike that polite request, this version is meant to surprise, tease, and entertain. It’s been passed down from playground to playground for generations, becoming a kind of oral Halloween tradition — like singing carols at Christmas, but way more chaotic.
Here it is in all its glory:
Trick or treat,
Smell my feet,
Give me something good to eat!
If you don’t, I don’t care —
I’ll pull down your underwear!
Yep. It’s cheeky. A little rude. And totally hilarious to anyone under the age of ten. Just another reason why Halloween remains one of the most joyfully irreverent holidays of the year.
🎃 Fun fact: In some schoolyards, extra verses have been added over the years — including rhymes about broccoli, belly buttons, and other gross-out favourites.
The Origins: From Treats to Teasing
The root of “trick or treat” itself dates back to the early 20th century, when American children began dressing up and knocking on doors for sweets. The earliest printed reference appeared in the 1920s, but the phrase didn’t become truly widespread until the 1950s — helped in part by Halloween-themed cartoons, greeting cards, and even candy companies looking to sweeten the deal.
So where does “smell my feet” come in?
Most linguists and folklorists agree it evolved organically — like many childhood rhymes — during the mid-20th century. Kids love mischief, and turning a polite phrase into something a bit cheeky is exactly the kind of humor that spreads like wildfire through schools. There’s evidence of similarly irreverent chants as early as the 1930s, recorded in children’s folklore collections. The “smell my feet” line likely became popular thanks to its gross-out appeal. It’s a little bit weird, a little bit naughty, and completely unforgettable. Just like Halloween.
Is It Just a US Thing?
While “Trick or treat, smell my feet” is most popular in the United States and Canada, it’s started creeping across borders thanks to social media, movies, and TV shows. As Halloween grows globally, so too do the quirky customs that come with it — including rhymes that make grown-ups giggle and kids feel just a little bit rebellious.
In places like the UK and Australia, you might hear different spins on the chant — or none at all. But if Halloween continues to grow (and we think it will), don't be surprised if "smell my feet" starts popping up on your doorstep too.
The Psychology of Playground Rhymes
Here’s why it sticks: rhyming phrases are easy to remember, and the weirdness makes them irresistible. It’s the same reason we remember tongue twisters and silly songs long after we’ve forgotten algebra.
According to child psychologists, phrases like “smell my feet” give kids a safe way to be naughty-but-nice — especially on Halloween, when the whole day is about playing pretend, breaking routine, and letting imaginations run wild. Neuroscience shows that rhyme, rhythm, and repetition boost memory — which is why kids repeat the same chants for decades.
Real Kids Still Say It
Want proof this rhyme still lives on? Trick or Treat visited an event in North London last year — and heard it shouted at least 10 times. We asked mum of three, Eleanor Princely where she thought it had come from “I didn’t teach them!” she laughed. “It must’ve come from school. I'd never heard it before tonight, but now they think it’s hilarious — and they won't stop saying it.”
Final Thoughts (and Fresh Socks)
So, next time you hear a little goblin shout “Smell my feet!” on Halloween night, don’t be alarmed. You’re not being insulted — you’re being invited into a playful tradition that’s been passed down through generations of costumed kids.
At Trick or Treat, we’re all about celebrating the fun, strange, and surprisingly heartfelt ways communities come together during spooky season. Whether you’re giving out sweets or chanting rhymes, it’s all part of the magic.