April Fool's Day
Hi WA Friends,
So today is April 1st...also known as April Fool's Day.
I am a bit of a history aficionado, so I thought I'd have a look into the background of the day and share my findings with you!
What I learned is that some historians think the day may go back as far as 1582 when France switched its calendar over from Julian to Gregorian. In the Julian Calendar, the spring equinox started around April 1st.
It turns out that those people who were slow to learn that the new year now started on January 1, instead of the last week of March, were called "April Fools." They were the butt of many jokes and hoaxes.
One popular prank was to throw paper fish on those peoples' backs which was meant to signify their naivete and gullibility.
Others speculate that the day was recognized as far back as ancient Rome during the festival of Hilaria. People dressed in disguises and mocked their fellow citizens and magistrates.
April Fools Day may also be tied into the vernal equinox where Mother Nature often springs unpredictable weather on people of the Northern Hemisphere.
During the 18th century, the tradition bloomed in Britain. Scotland even had a 2-day event that included people sending others on phony tasks, pinning tails or kick me signs on their backsides.
It seems that the day has quite a long past. Thinking back to my own childhood brings back many memories of exuberant children playing pranks on others and causing nonsense in the classroom on every April 1st.
Did you ever play a prank on someone on April Fool's Day? Or have a hoax played on you? Hopefully it was all in good fun.
Happy April Fools everyone.
Susan
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Susan!
This was fun to learn. I thought there was going to be an April Fool's trick in there somewhere. I told my family that I was relocating to another state in the family chat today as an April Fool joke. It did not go well.
But, they had to admit, it was a good one. And they laughed in the end. ;-)
Hazel
Hi Hazel! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I considered trying to add in a truck of some kind but opted not to.
I can imagine that prank went over like a lead balloon! They are surely relieved to hear it was a joke. Thanks for the share!
I looked back at this day with some sweet memories.
I almost gave my mom several heart attacks with the stunt that we pulled, and my father was always pulling some funny tricks as well.
One year that I can fondly remember my dad telling me that we had an important phone call.
Knowing that it was April's Fools day, we didn't believe him but shrugged it off and started laughing loudly, telling him that we would not be fooled again, and proceeded to cut the call off.
The joke was on me, because it was the hospital matron, calling to say that I was successful in my interview to join the hospital.
Can you imagine how I felt after my very unprofessional display and facing the matron at my new job?
Oh wow, Simone! That’s quite a story. Gulp…that must have been uncomfortable but I’m sure she understood once you told her the reason. Isn’t that always the way when the joke goes south,
Lol
Susan, I had a lot of proving to do for a number of years. The matron was not amused by my explanation. Lol
Oh dear…then I can imagine it must have been a job to redeem yourself. Some people have no sense of humor! Lol.
Right…there are those who thrive on self-importance. But you came out victorious and that’s what really matters. :-)
Hi, Susan.
Happy April Fools everyone!
Super post.
Here's the first of April that I didn't use as a joke.
Best regards,
Slavka 👋
Hi Slavka....Happy April Fool's to you as well. Glad you enjoyed it. Take care and have a great weekend! 😊👍
I just did one today actually. As I completed my WA tasks in the morning at about 5:30 am. We normally have the living room fan turned on all the time to blow the heat coming from the wood stove all throughout the living room. This time, as soon as I was done with my WA work, I carefully took the ladder from our basement, turned off the wall switch of the ceiling fan, placed confettis above the blades of our ceiling fan. Returned the ladder back in its place, and went to bed. At about 6am, my husband will get up for work.
As expected, he got up, took the dogs out, came back inside and noticed the fan was turned off, so as soon as he turned the wall switch on, the entire confettis was all over the living room floor and furnitures. I hear him say , “what the @#*§”!
As I woke up around 8am, my husband left me a note, “Happy April Fool’s Day” - CLEAN UP YOUR MESS!
It turned out the joke was on me ! 😩😩😩
Haha...now that's a good one, Maria! Nice try indeed, but I guess your hubby turned the tables back to you. That's exactly what would happen in my home, too. I admire your cleverness! 😂🤣
Yeap! Maybe baked something! Or a toothpaste with a different color or Saran Wrap over the toilet bowl or replace the sugar canister with salt, and so on and so forth! 😂😂😂😂
That could be a real laugh..,except for the toilet. That could be most unpleasant lol!! I’m sure you’ll come up with something great! 😂😂😂
That's so much, Myra...kind of fascinating. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Happy April Fool's indeed! 💜👑
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Hi, Susan
That's a great historical post on April Fools Day!
It was always great fun for us as children. My dad was a prankster and always tried to fool as many people as possible. His reputation preceded him, so it wasn't an easy accomplishment on April 1st. 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
Hi Frank! Glad you enjoyed the history factoids. I learned a few things myself!
I can imagine you had loads of fun. I do remember a lot of funny pranks from back in the day myself. Oh, the good ole days.
Thanks for sharing! Rock On! 😎🎸🤘
Yeah, we always had a blast! 😎🎸