Playing pranks? Repeating rumors? Flaunting falsehoods to see who you can convince?
Might you prefer to cut out a paper fish and tape it to your loved one’s back? Poisson d’Avril or April Fool’s?
Have you ever wondered what the origin of April Fool’s Day might be?
Sources trace April Fool’s day to the French, and their change of calendar in the mid 16th century.
So the history recounts, the first of a new year previously began around April 1st until 1565, when the calendar was changed and January 1 marked the beginning of a new year. Apparently, some didn’t “catch” on, and continued to celebrate on April 1st, leading others to play tricks on them.
Why fish?
A variety of explanations are available – (might there be a Monty Python verison with kippers?) – everything from ties to Lent to signs of the zodiac.
By the twentieth century, fish-themed cards were exchanged in fun, and French children have celebrated by drawing and cutting out paper fish, then taping them to the backs of friends and family.
But the French aren’t the only ones to welcome April 1st with an assortment of pokes, jokes, pranks and cranks. For more on the many countries that enjoy similar entertainments, check out this brief history of April Fool’s Day on YouTube:
I love the Elvira Madigan theme that goes with the video. It was actually written by the Beatles. April Fool! It was Gershwin.