I’ve just googled April Fool’s Day, and it seems the origin of the day is a bit of a mystery. According to the National Geographic site the most popular theory is that France changed its calendar in the 1500s so that the New Year would begin in January to match the Roman calendar instead of the start of spring in late March or early April.
However word of the change traveled slowly, and many people in rural areas continued to celebrate the New Year in the spring. These country dwellers became known as “April fools.”
Another theory is that April Fools’ Day simply grew out of age-old European spring festivals of renewal, in which pranks and camouflaging one’s identity are common.
Wikipedia says April Fools’ Day or All Fools’ Day, though not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, enemies and neighbors, or sending them on fools’ errands, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible.
As a child I remember my father waking us up extra early. He was very excited and said that one of our horses had foaled. When we stumbled outside in our pajamas, rubbing our tired eyes, he shouted, “April Fool.” Color me not amused. I still remembered my lack of humor!
I also remember purchasing a block of rubber, cutting it into pieces and decorating them with chocolate icing and shredded coconut so they looked like Lamingtons. I took them to a class party and still recall the priceless look on the boys’ faces when they tried to eat the rubbery lamingtons.
And sort of in the funny ha-ha category – I broke my bike today. I’m not sure what happened but the front wheel caught somehow and I almost flew over the handle bars. It must have looked funny, but I managed to save myself from greeting the footpath with my head. I think hubby should be able to fix my bike. The chain has come off and I couldn’t get it back on so I had to wheel it home. Luckily, I always wear my helmet. I know some people don’t but during my teenage years I used to ride horses quite a bit. I never fell off much, but I did trip over while crossing the road one day. The riding hat was the only thing that saved me from gashing my head open. I ripped the felt on the hat but was otherwise uninjured. The moral of the story is that I learned to wear protective helmets whenever necessary! It’s actually law to wear a helmet while cycling in NZ, a law I’m happy to obey.
I hope everyone had a fun weekend. Watch out for pranksters on April 1st!
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March 31st, 2008 at 1:01 pm · Link
Oh gosh, Shelley, I used to love April’s Fool Day when I was a kid. But not so much anymore. I guess there have been too many years of heart-stopping frights disguised as funny pranks. The most horrific, and one I’ll never forget, is the time my father (a lover of practical jokes) poured ketchup all over his chest and then sprawled out on the dining room floor with a butcher knife at his side. No, uh-uh, not funny even one little bit when you’re ten.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:18 pm · Link
We also have a helmet law in the state of Oregon.
I am not a big fan of April Fool’s Day.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:27 pm · Link
Daisy – that’s a horrid trick to play! Funny pranks I can deal with – it’s the scary ones that aren’t so nice!
Estella – I love Oregon. It’s so pretty. Crater Lake National Park is one of my favorite places.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:20 pm · Link
It’s a law here in Canada too. I think it’s smart frankly. :D
I need another bike. I had to get rid of my bike over eight years ago and I miss it terribly. although it’s kind of hard to ride a bike in the middle of a busy City.
*sigh* I wished I lived in the country.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:23 pm · Link
Interesting about the April Fool’s origins. I think when it’s hard to pinpoint, it seems most likely that it’s so ancient, the true beginnings will never be discovered. But what impresses me is how something so old is still observed by people.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:48 pm · Link
Amy – I’m lucky since we have miles of paths to bike around where I live. Luckily Mr. Munro was able to fix my bike for me, and I managed to cycle between showers today. I was very dubious when Mr. Munro suggested bikes since I’ve never owned one before. I ride my bike most days and it helps clear my head.
Julia – when I went searching I was sure I’d find a proper explanation. I guess we’ll never know!
March 31st, 2008 at 4:28 pm · Link
Hi Shelley, I’m glad you remind me tomorrow is April fool. I may tell DH the computer is not working. He’ll always swallow this one.
Here is my most memorable April fool. Years ago, in college, there was a guy who bugged the hell out of me and my best friend Vicky. On April fool, he came toward us. We told him: “Oh here you are. We’re gald we found you. The Dean wants you in his office.” The guy blanched, hesitated and finally went. The Dean told him he never asked for him. When we sent a couple more, the Dean understood. Everytime a student knocked on his door and entered, he laughed and showed him the calendar. Good thing he had a sense of humor.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:45 pm · Link
a coworker at a former job had a “fake” hand/arm combo which he arranged so it was hanging out one of the file cabinet drawers. It took a minute to realize what it was…. by then he’s shouting April Fools!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:22 pm · Link
Mona – love it. Your Dean obviously had a great sense of humor.
Anny – now that was plain devious.