GRGR(22) - April Fool

[David Morris]

from:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1465/april.html

The custom of playing practical jokes on friends was part of the 
celebrations in ancient Rome on March 25 (Hilaria) and in India on March 31 
(Huli). The timing seems related to the vernal equinox and the coming of 
spring-a time when nature fools us with sudden changes between showers and 
sunshine.

April Fool's Day is thought to have originated in France. Before the use of 
the Gregorian calendar, New Year's celebrations ended on April 1st. When New 
Year's Day was changed to January 1st, the people who still celebrated it on 
April 1st were called April Fools.

In France, the victim of a joke is called an "April Fish" (poisson d'avril). 
In England, tricks can be played only in the morning. If a trick is played 
on you, you are a "noodle". In Scotland, you are called an "April gowk", 
which is another name for a cuckoo bird. In Portugal, April Fool's is 
celebrated on the Sunday and Monday before Lent. The traditional trick there 
is to throw flour at your friends. Humor and practical jokes are universal.

from:
http://www.2meta.com/april-fools/history/

April Fools Day: An Unsolved History

The first of April, some do say,
Is set apart for All Fools' Day.
But why the people call it so,
Nor I, nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.
-- Poor Robin's Almanac (1790)

OK, who started it?
Did the first Fools come from France, England, Mexico, Sweden or India? The 
truth, as in any good mystery, lies hidden in the shadows of time.

Some say that April Fools Day began in many parts of the world at the same 
time, in celebration of the spring equinox. Pranks were a big part of even 
the most boring equinox parties, everywhere from Sweden to India.

Others argue that the modern April Fool's Day followed the adoption of a 
reformed calendar in France circa 1564. In medieval times, the octave of
New Year's began on March 25 with the eight days of festivities ending on
April 1.

With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, New Year's Day was moved 
from April 1 to January 1. Due to the slowness of "sandal-net"
communication back then and general resistance to change, the January 1 date 
was not fully accepted for several years. Those traditionalists who clung to 
April 1 as New Year's Day were scoffed at as "fools" and sent fake party 
invitations and prank gifts.

Widespread observance in England began in the 18th century. The English, 
Scotch and French introduced the custom to their colonies in America. One of 
our forefathers' favorite jokes was to send someone on a "fool's errand." 
For example, one might have been asked to go out and obtain a copy of "The 
History of Adam's Grandfather," or bring back some "sweet vinegar."

In Scotland, April Fools Day is 48 hours long. The second day is called 
Taily Day and is dedicated to pranks involving the buttocks. Taily Day's 
gift to posterior posterity is the still-hilarious "Kick Me" sign.

The "foolish" tradition is celebrated in Mexico, too, but on a different day 
and for different reasons. "El Dia de los Inocentes," which is December 28, 
was set aside as a day for Christians to mourn Herod's slaughter of innocent 
children. Over time, the tone of that "unluckiest of days" has evolved from 
sadness to good-natured trickery. Even the media join the fun, often running 
bogus news stories and radio reports.




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