April Fool’s Day By Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
April 1st has commonly become to be known as April Fool’s Day across the world. Many a prankster will take full advantage of this fun day.
So how did this come about? It is believed that the silly holiday had its beginnings in 16th Century France. It was brought about with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian calendar became the commonly used date method and New Year’s Day went from March 25-April 1st (New Year’s Week) to January 1st. There was much resistance to this change and citizens continued to celebrate on the last day of New Year’s Week, April 1st.
The majority of the population labeled these partygoers as ‘fools’ and they were subjected to ridicule, sent on “Fool Errands”, sent invitations to nonexistant parties and that is only a start to the jokes played on them. A common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of a person as a practical joke.
Word quickly spread and this tradition was adopted in Britain and Scotland in the 18th Century and then further to the American colonies by the English and French. Each country celebrates April Fool’s Day in their own particular way.
For example, Scotland concentrates on spoofs involving the buttocks and labels it Taily Day. The butts of these jokes are known as April ‘Gowk’ or ‘Cuckoo Bird’. In England, jokes are only played in the morning. Fools are called ‘gobs’ or ‘gobby’ and the victim of a joke is known as a ‘noodle’. It is considered bad luck to play a joke on someone after noontime. In Rome, April Fool’s Day is known as Festival of Hilaria, celebrating the resurrection of the god Attis and takes place on March 25th, referred to as “Roman Laughing Day.” In Portugal, April Fool’s Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. People throw flour at their friends. In India, the Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31st. People play jokes on each other and smear colors on each other in honor and preparation of Spring.
So whether you are the ‘butt’ of the joke or decide to be the prankster yourself, enjoy this Fool’s Holiday today.
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