BACKGROUND
April Fools’ Day (sometimes called All Fools’ Day) is an annual custom that takes place on April 1st, consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. The player of the joke or hoax often exposes their action later by shouting “April fools!” at the recipient. The recipients of these actions are called April fools. Although popular since the 19th century, the day is not a public holiday in any country.
HISTORY
The history and origin of April Fools’ Day is unclear and is mostly speculation. However, some historians have surmised that April Fools’ Day most likely started in the late 16th century. The origin of this holiday is believed to have stemmed from a change of calendars in 1582: the transition from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The key difference between the two calendars was that New Year’s Day, which was originally celebrated on or around April 1st, was shifted to be celebrated on January 1st. Many people were either unaware of or rejecting this change, and they continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1st instead of January 1st. As a result, others made fun of the traditionalists by making them run “fool’s errands” or tricking them in various ways. The continuous practice of tricking and joking spread throughout Europe, and eventually to other continents and countries.
AROUND THE WORLD
April Fool’s Day is celebrated around the world. For the most part, countries have distinctive ways of commemorating this long-held holiday. We know how April 1st is celebrated in the US, but how is it observed in other countries?
France
Throughout France (though mostly among children) April Fools’ Day is observed by sneakily sticking a paper fish to someone’s back. When the hapless victim discovers the prank, the successful prankster will yell out “Poisson d’Avril!”, which means “April fish!”
Greece
In Greece, there are several beliefs around April Fools’ pranks, the first being that if you can trick someone, you will have good luck all year long. Other beliefs are that successful tricksters will enjoy a good year of crops and that the water from rainfall on April 1 has healing abilities.
England and Ireland
In England and Ireland, April Fools’ Day is celebrated in several ways. Jokes and pranks on this day are expected to end at noon; those who continue to play jokes in the afternoon will themselves be thought of as foolish. Media outlets may publish hoaxes on April 1, and some drivers will drive on the right side of the road!
Scotland
A foolish person in Scottish is called a gowk, so it makes sense that the day is traditionally known as Hunt the Gowk Day. Scotland is unique in that the people celebrate April Fools’ Day for the first two days of April. The first day is celebrated by pranking and hoaxing people, while the second — known as Tailie Day — is when people place tails on each other’s backs.
Sweden
On första april (April 1) in Sweden, many are out attempting to trick others, as is the usual activity for April Fools’ Day. However, if you are successful at tricking someone, instead of screaming “April fools!” you would shout the phrase “April, April, din dumma sill, jag kan lura dig vart jag vill!” before running away. This means: “April, April, you stupid herring, I can trick you wherever I want!”
BACKGROUND
April Fools’ Day (sometimes called All Fools’ Day) is an annual custom that takes place on April 1st, consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. The player of the joke or hoax often exposes their action later by shouting “April fools!” at the recipient. The recipients of these actions are called April fools. Although popular since the 19th century, the day is not a public holiday in any country.
HISTORY
The history and origin of April Fools’ Day is unclear and is mostly speculation. However, some historians have surmised that April Fools’ Day most likely started in the late 16th century. The origin of this holiday is believed to have stemmed from a change of calendars in 1582: the transition from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The key difference between the two calendars was that New Year’s Day, which was originally celebrated on or around April 1st, was shifted to be celebrated on January 1st. Many people were either unaware of or rejecting this change, and they continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1st instead of January 1st. As a result, others made fun of the traditionalists by making them run “fool’s errands” or tricking them in various ways. The continuous practice of tricking and joking spread throughout Europe, and eventually to other continents and countries.
AROUND THE WORLD
April Fool’s Day is celebrated around the world. For the most part, countries have distinctive ways of commemorating this long-held holiday. We know how April 1st is celebrated in the US, but how is it observed in other countries?
France
Throughout France (though mostly among children) April Fools’ Day is observed by sneakily sticking a paper fish to someone’s back. When the hapless victim discovers the prank, the successful prankster will yell out “Poisson d’Avril!”, which means “April fish!”
Greece
In Greece, there are several beliefs around April Fools’ pranks, the first being that if you can trick someone, you will have good luck all year long. Other beliefs are that successful tricksters will enjoy a good year of crops and that the water from rainfall on April 1 has healing abilities.
England and Ireland
In England and Ireland, April Fools’ Day is celebrated in several ways. Jokes and pranks on this day are expected to end at noon; those who continue to play jokes in the afternoon will themselves be thought of as foolish. Media outlets may publish hoaxes on April 1, and some drivers will drive on the right side of the road!
Scotland
A foolish person in Scottish is called a gowk, so it makes sense that the day is traditionally known as Hunt the Gowk Day. Scotland is unique in that the people celebrate April Fools’ Day for the first two days of April. The first day is celebrated by pranking and hoaxing people, while the second — known as Tailie Day — is when people place tails on each other’s backs.
Sweden
On första april (April 1) in Sweden, many are out attempting to trick others, as is the usual activity for April Fools’ Day. However, if you are successful at tricking someone, instead of screaming “April fools!” you would shout the phrase “April, April, din dumma sill, jag kan lura dig vart jag vill!” before running away. This means: “April, April, you stupid herring, I can trick you wherever I want!”
Iran
The 13th day of the Persian New Year is called Sizdah Bedar and usually falls on April 1st or April 2nd. Pranks have reportedly been played on this holiday since 536 BC, making it perhaps the oldest known joke day. It is customary to spend the afternoon outside, celebrating the new season and indulging in food, laughter, games, and good-natured jokes. After a picnic, you throw away green vegetables, known as sabzeh, to ward off any potential illnesses or bad luck for the coming year.
MOCO
Each year here in Montgomery County, students enjoy playing pranks, practical jokes, and just having an all around good time with their friends.
One student at Herbert Hoover Middle School, Lily Hong, says “April Fool’s day is a great day to prank your family [and] friends […] as long as you do safe pranks and won’t make the victim feel uncomfortable […].”
Another student, Benjamin Wu, states that “April fools is a very important ritual in modern society. It is a time where friends can bond over playful acts of foolishness and grow closer together. It should continue to be celebrated because it lightens the heavy spirits of many individuals by humoring all.”
However, it is important to also remember safety first and foremost; never take a joke too far. With that being said, happy pranking!
Written by Cynthea Wang and Joelle Lee of Herbert Hoover Middle School.