Nick-or-Treat

About

Nick-or-Treat is the name of a promotional stunt done by Nickelodeon during Spooktober and Halloween that ran from 1985 to 2002. The event, using the word "Nick" instead of "trick" in the common catchphrase "trick-or-treat," is fondly remembered as a part of '90s nostalgia while also being seen as unfortunately named due to many thinking it sounds like the N-word. Since it was canceled, it has continuously popped up online as a meme and viral video with people commenting on its controversial nature, usually poking fun at it.

Origin

In October of 1985, the Nickelodeon company created the Nick-or-Treat sweepstakes, with prizes being given to kids who submit and win. The prizes that year were trips to Hollywood, M&Ms, and cash to spend while there. On October 16th, 2008, the YouTube channel ClassicNickelodeon2^[1] uploaded a promotional commercial for it, earning 64,000 views in 15 years (shown below).

Spread

Over the years, concern began to grow over the way the promo sounded. When quickly said together, the Nick-or-Treat would make people think of the N-word being said, which only got worse with future promotions featuring kids saying the word rapidly. On May 7th, 2020, the YouTube channel WilliamThompson^[2] uploaded a full commercial to the YouTube Kids app, with many different kids saying the phrase (shown below).

During the 1994 and 1995 seasons, Nick-or-Treat was turned into a live gameshow aired during what Nickelodeon called Shriek Week, leading to more commercial promos being made. One of the promos from the time was later combined with a picture of a surprised skull and turned into a meme. On April 20th, 2021, the YouTuber WFKandPMMOsdotCOM^[3] uploaded a meme featuring a voice-over host talking about Nick-or-Treat live, earning over 200,000 views in two years (shown below).

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References