- This word does not literally mean a loss of appetite during Halloween. Women are actually very hungry but deprive themselves of food almost to the point that it seems that they are anorexic. It is termed Halloweenorexia because it is a disorder in which the individual almost seems anorexic leading up to the night of Halloween.
Halloweenorexia
noun; blending and clipping
The self-induced eating disorder common in mostly teenage and young-adult women prior to Halloween. It is caused by the desire to look good/hot in a Halloween costume.
Etymology : It was formed by blending the word Halloween, a shortening of the Scottish word "Allhallow-even" and a clipping of anorexia of Greek origin meaning "without appetite desire (etymonline.com).
Source : During an RHA study break. " Many of you have been starving yourselves these past two weeks thinking that you'll look good for Halloween. Halloweenorexia is not healthy for you and it makes you feel bad." (October 27, 2011)
Last modified: 29 November 2011