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The history of
April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is
uncertain, but the current thinking is
that it began around 1582 in France with
the reform of the calendar under Charles
IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced,
and New Year's Day was moved from March
25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January
1.
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Send
invitations to nonexistent parties
and have other practical jokes played
upon them.
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Communication
traveled slowly in those days and
some people were only informed of
the change several years later. Still
others, who were more rebellious refused
to acknowledge the change and continued
to celebrate on the last day of the
former celebration, April 1. |
These people were
labeled "fools" by the general
populace, were subject to ridicule and
sent on "fool errands," sent
invitations to nonexistent parties and
had other practical jokes played upon
them. The butts of these pranks became
known as a "poisson d'avril"
or "April fish" because a young
naive fish is easily caught. In addition,
one common practice was to hook a paper
fish on the back of someone as a joke.
This harassment evolved
over time and a custom of prank-playing
continue on the first day of April. This
tradition eventually spread elsewhere like
to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century
and was introduced to the American colonies
by the English and the French. Because of
this spread to other countries, April Fool's
Day has taken on an international flavor
with each country celebrating the holiday
in its own way.
In Scotland, for
instance, April Fool's Day is devoted to
spoofs involving the buttocks and as such
is called Taily Day. The butts of these
jokes are known as April 'Gowk', another
name for cuckoo bird. The origins of the
"Kick Me" sign can be traced back
to the Scottish observance.
In England, jokes
are played only in the morning. Fools are
called 'gobs' or 'gobby' and the victim
of a joke is called a 'noodle.' It was considered
back luck to play a practical joke on someone
after noon.
In Rome, the holiday
is known as Festival of Hilaria, celebrating
the resurrection of the god Attis, is on
March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman
Laughing Day."
In Portugal, April
Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday
before lent. In this celebration, many people
throw flour at their friends.
The Huli Festival
is celebrated on March 31 in India. People
play jokes on one another and smear colors
on one another celebrating the arrival of
Spring.
So, no matter where
you happen to be in the world on April 1,
don't be surprised if April fools fall playfully
upon you.
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