Stuff You Should Know – Short Stuff: Bed Sheet Ghosts

Intro

In this episode of “Stuff You Should Know,” the hosts explore the fascinating history and cultural significance of bed sheet ghosts. From their origins in ancient burial traditions to their portrayal in pop culture, bed sheet ghosts have become iconic symbols of Halloween and the supernatural.

Main Takeaways

Historical Origins and Cultural Significance

• The tradition of wrapping deceased loved ones in white sheets for burial dates back to ancient times, but continued in 17th century Britain, even after coffins became available.
• A green burial trend has brought back the use of burial shrouds instead of coffins.
• Bed sheet ghosts became synonymous with ghosts because if a dead person returned from the grave, they would likely still be wearing their burial shroud or bed sheet.

Ghost Panic and Mistaken Identities

• Thieves in London would wear sheets to scare people and rob them.
• In the early 1800s, there was a famous case of a person being mistaken for a bedsheet-wearing ghost who paid with their life for walking around wearing a white outfit and refusing to wear anything else.
• Francis Smith was a ghost hunter who killed Thomas Millwood, a bricklayer who was mistaken for a ghost because he wore all white.
• Millwood’s wife warned him about the ghost panic and advised him to wear something that’s not white to avoid being mistaken for a ghost.
• Smith was initially sentenced to hang for killing Millwood but was later pardoned by King George III.

Evolution in Pop Culture

• Ghosts were once synonymous with wearing suits of armor or being animated skeletons until the bedsheet ghost became universal in the 19th century.
• Spiritualism and mediumship became popular in the late 19th century and people believed double exposed photos with a person wearing a bedsheet were of ghosts.
• The bedsheet ghost was found to be scarier than someone in white makeup rattling chains in theater polls.
• The bedsheet ghost became less scary when it started appearing in children’s cartoons.
• Famous examples of this include Mickey Mouse’s Lonesome Ghosts.
• Ghosts in cartoons are white, transparent, and featureless.
• Casper is made of bedsheet, not a kid wearing one.
• Using a frayed or thinning bedsheet as a costume can be scarier than a new one.

Summary

Historical Origins and Cultural Significance

The practice of wrapping deceased loved ones in white sheets for burial has ancient roots and continued in 17th century Britain. This tradition eventually led to the association of bed sheet ghosts with the supernatural. In modern times, the green burial movement has revived the use of burial shrouds instead of coffins, further connecting the symbolism of bed sheets with death and ghosts.

Ghost Panic and Mistaken Identities

During the early 1800s, a wave of ghost panic swept through London, leading to tragic cases of mistaken identities. Thieves would wear sheets to scare people and commit robberies. In one infamous incident, Francis Smith, a ghost hunter, mistakenly killed Thomas Millwood, a bricklayer who was wearing all white and was mistaken for a ghost. The incident highlighted the dangers of the ghost panic and the importance of avoiding white attire to prevent being mistaken for a supernatural entity.

Evolution in Pop Culture

The portrayal of ghosts in popular culture underwent a significant transformation in the 19th century. Previously associated with suits of armor or animated skeletons, ghosts became universally represented by bedsheet-wearing figures. This shift coincided with the rise of spiritualism and mediumship, where double exposed photos featuring individuals in bed sheets were believed to capture ghostly apparitions. However, over time, the bedsheet ghost became less scary as it started appearing in children’s cartoons, such as Mickey Mouse’s Lonesome Ghosts. The iconic image of a white, transparent, and featureless bedsheet ghost became ingrained in popular culture.

Conclusion

The history and cultural significance of bed sheet ghosts reveal the enduring fascination with the supernatural and the evolution of ghostly imagery. From ancient burial traditions to modern-day Halloween costumes, bed sheet ghosts continue to captivate our imaginations and serve as a symbol of the afterlife.