# When did ghosts start wearing sheets? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 28, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365 "2024-10-28T21:58:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/41 "2024-10-31T14:20:24Z")
The best ghost, ever: Richard Kiel on Gilligan’s Island. They must have used a silk sheet (a BIG silk sheet), the flow was wonderful. Mr Howell with his straw boater on his head was hysterically funny as a ghost. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/42 "2024-10-31T16:10:27Z")
See, this is a great find, because this ran 7 months before “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” but also features a ghost with eyeholes. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/43 "2024-10-31T17:11:54Z")
I’m a little older than you, and i would have sworn that “white sheet with holes” was a cliche costume for ghosts before 1966. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/44 "2024-10-31T17:12:38Z")
Probably! I’m just trying to find actual examples of it. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/45 "2024-10-31T17:31:55Z")
Brace yourself — after some research, I discovered Kiel’s sheet doesn’t have eyeholes, but the seven castaway ghosts do have them. I suspect Kiel was using a parachute and you don’t want to punch holes in a rental ‘chute. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/46 "2024-10-31T17:39:10Z")
The path of scientific discovery continues! And seven times better. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/47 "2024-10-31T17:46:00Z")
October 31, 1951: [![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zGwQHK6KsNY46eUNf_3nw49VECTVnbtoPEmhEkppGtOUD4ecgyizkpn3cg3FvhFT0ABzx0rUjzdEUCTJdlyEkQ1ttceKE6o-GijyNj-d6s0y72pAX7nT2jbpAgEN8ue3JsnhiZZSjRyI/s1600/1a209b483a5efa182e9c33a825202965.jpg) ](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zGwQHK6KsNY46eUNf_3nw49VECTVnbtoPEmhEkppGtOUD4ecgyizkpn3cg3FvhFT0ABzx0rUjzdEUCTJdlyEkQ1ttceKE6o-GijyNj-d6s0y72pAX7nT2jbpAgEN8ue3JsnhiZZSjRyI/s1600/1a209b483a5efa182e9c33a825202965.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/48 "2024-10-31T17:47:54Z")
You might find it in the Peanuts comic strip. The last strip on this page was first run on Oct. 31, 1956. I also recall one where Charlie Brown has a problem using a fitted sheet for a ghost costume. > **[October 1956 comic strips](https://peanuts.fandom.com/wiki/October_1956_comic_strips)** > > October 1, 1956 (This strip and the following three strips including October 6, 1956 are adapted in the episode "A Day with Snoopy" from the 2014 French TV series Peanuts) October 2, 1956 October 3, 1956 October 4, 1956 October 5, 1956 October 6,... Just got ninja’d with an even earlier strip! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/49 "2024-10-31T17:59:52Z")
What year were the Porky Pig/Sylvester haunted house cartoons? Pretty sure the ghost had eyeholes. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/50 "2024-10-31T18:05:51Z")
I checked. Scaredy Cat (1948) has no ghost at all, just deranged mice. The 2nd and 3rd in the trilogy were in 1954 and 1955. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/51 "2024-10-31T19:13:57Z")
I would bet you big bux the Little Rascals/Our Gang shorts would have a ghost/haunted house story. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/52 "2024-10-31T19:33:40Z")
I think you’d lose! [The Haunted Closet: January 2010](https://the-haunted-closet.blogspot.com/2010/01/) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/53 "2024-10-31T19:35:59Z")
Our Gang, “Spooky Hooky,” 1936 — sheet ghost, no eyeholes. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/54 "2024-10-31T19:47:05Z")
RIght, I saw that, doesn’t quallify! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/55 "2024-10-31T19:54:08Z")
I’m confused; what _are_ we looking for? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/56 "2024-10-31T19:55:13Z")
Oh, sorry, I think I responded way upthread to sheet _with_ eyeholes, not just sheet. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2024, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/57 "2024-10-31T19:57:28Z")
Gotcha! Back to the drawing board. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2024, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/58 "2024-11-02T00:11:42Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Did he cut holes for his eyes in this sheet? I did that part. Getting them just right was a one-shot challenge. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/59 "2024-11-02T00:16:05Z")
IIRC, wasn’t the KKK’s white robe and hood outfit originally conceived of as a ghost costume for the purpose of “pranking” superstitious freedmen? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365/60 "2024-11-02T00:25:48Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > IIRC, wasn’t the KKK’s white robe and hood outfit originally conceived of as a ghost costume for the purpose of “pranking” superstitious freedmen > As historian Elaine Frantz Parsons has written in _Midnight_ _Rangers: Costume and Performance in the Reconstruction-Era Ku Klux Klan_ , while some early Klansmen did wear white, and later Klan mythology would claim they’d dressed up as Confederate ghosts, they usually drew on [folk traditions of carnival, circus, minstrelsy, Mardi Gras](http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/19946944/midnight-rangers-costume-performance-reconstruction-era-ku-klux-klan)—or the mid-century “Calico Indians,” hooded and masked farmers rebelling against upstate New York land laws. Klansmen wore gigantic animal horns, fake beards, coon-skin caps, or polka-dotted paper hats; they imitated French accents or barnyard animals; they played guitars to serenade victims. Some Klansmen wore pointed hats suggestive of wizards, dunces, or Pierrots; some wore everyday winter hoods, pillowcases, or flour sacks on their heads. [How the Klan Got Its Hood | The New Republic](https://newrepublic.com/article/127242/klan-got-hood) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-ghosts-start-wearing-sheets/1009365.md?page=4)