What is a jack-o’-lantern?

Jack-o'-lantern is a lantern made out of an empty pumpkin turnip or other root vegetable lantern associated with Halloween in which holes are cut, representing facial expressions.

The name Jack-o’-lantern is tied to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, who was known to be one of the biggest drunkards of his era. He used to bargain with Satan and is doomed to roam the Earth with only a hollowed turnip to illuminate his way.

The practise of decorating the pumpkins or turnips or potatoes serving as early canvasses originated in Ireland from an Irish folktale.

Yes, there is a difference between them. Jack-o'-lantern pumpkins are less fleshy and more comfortable to carve than the regular pumpkins. That's why they are also called carving pumpkins and have a thinner shell.

You can eat these pumpkins; however, the dish may not turn out as delicious as a regular pumpkin. The sole reason is that Jack-o'-lantern pumpkins are less edible than the traditional pumpkin purees.