April Fool Who?

This is another fun holiday that brings back memories of Clocks being set forward a few hours only to find that it wasn't really 7 am and school didn't start for another 4 hours. Or Dad coming down to tell us that we were late for school, sending us in a panic to get ready for at least 10-15 minutes before he let us know that it was really only 6 am. Thanks Dad! Also there have been jokes of pregnancy, one I played on my Mom a few years ago, which kind of backfired. I was surprised as how excited she was and felt bad when I had to break the news it was an April fools Joke. Those are the ones that stick out the most in my mind although I'm sure there were many others. My mind just isn't what it used to be.

April Fool's Day History

The brief synopsis is that the calendar year changed and New Years was changed to Jan in stead of the end of March. With communication being so slow it took a while before everyone knew. Those who rebelled and continued to celebrate in April were the object of practical jokes. Somehow it became quite lighthearted and this tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. 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 Scotland, for instance, 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.
The Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31 in India. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on one another celebrating the arrival of Spring.

So, no matter where you happen to be in the world on April 1, don't be surprised if April fools fall playfully upon you.