“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
Even the sunrise this morning seemed to be in on April Fools Day. There was one huge cloud on the horizon, which might fool one into thinking it’s overcast here today. Actually, the rest of the sky is pretty clear, and tells me it’s going to be a sunny day for those of you who are enjoying Easter Monday holiday, and for Spencer who is out on a full day charter with an old high school friend.
I was curious about the origins of April Fools Day. And I have my guard up, so hopefully I won’t get caught !!
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.
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, and 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.
This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread around the world. 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 the old tradition, Italians, French and Belgium, traditionally tack paper fishes on each other’s back as a trick and shout “April fish!”.
- In Scotland, 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.
- In India, the Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on each other to celebrate the arrival of Spring.
So good luck, keep your wits about you, but don’t be surprised if April fools fall playfully upon you (and me). Just remember to laugh, it’s all in good sport ♥
