Hand buzzers, whoopie cushions, and the sound of laughter echoing throughout the halls of Bak MSOA. Yes, it is April Fools’ Day! And you have until 12 Noon today to play the jokester or you’ll be called, “April Fool!”
What is seen by adults as a day of random jokes and unfunny gags, from the students perspective is actually a day of happiness and pranks on friends and faculty. The origin of this holiday isn’t specifically known, but one theory that historians believe is that April Fools dates back to 1582, when people in France became unaware about the news of the Julian calendar changing to the Gregorian calendar.
Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, which moved New Year’s Day from April 1 to January 1. But because communication was slow in the 16th century, many people in rural areas did not learn of the change immediately or refused to recognize the new date.
The unknowing people were known as the butt of the joke and people pranked them by secretly putting paper fish on their backs.
They were referred to as “poisson d’avril” (in English translated to April fish). This symbolized the person’s gullibility and them being “a young and easily caught fish” for them not knowing about the new year.
April fools is played in many countries. In London, England, the earliest record of an April Fools’ day prank was in 1698. Many London dwellers were tricked to go to the Tower of London to see the lions get washed. To ensure the residents wouldn’t suspect the trick, the pranksters even passed out tickets to this supposed event. When everyone showed up, there were no animals, but instead, other people aimlessly wandering around in search of imaginary lions.
Here in America, we love this annual tradition. April Fools’ Day is a light-hearted holiday used to play harmless pranks. These pranks are intended to be fun; a good-natured reaction is expected, as getting angry is considered bad form.
You may not be able to trick your friends into seeing a lion, but instead try to have fun and be creative with what you come up with. But, remember, whatever you do, do it before 12 Noon today, or you’ll be called, “April Fool!:”
