Today, I sought out myself. I read #9 – Can delight cost so little? and could totally relate!
Today is one of those days when I seem to have rolled down the hill of happiness into a sad pool. Yesterday, I was at the top of the hill. I successfully pranked 5 groups of people for April Fools’. I had quite a laugh. They did too. It made me feel content and glad. I wanted to narrate pranks here, but I think I would prefer them to stay in my head and private journal.
Let me share some facts about April Fool’s Day. It’s pretty crazy that a whole day is set aside to allow people freely prank one another. Quite fun too. From multiple web sources, here are a few things that you need to know about the day:
- Alias. It is also called All Fools’ Day
- History. Apparently, it may have originated from the Middle Ages, when most towns in Europe celebrated New Year’s Day on March 25. Why, though? France had a holiday that would last till April 1. In 1563, France moved from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. However, some people did not realise that the date had changed, and they still celebrated in the old way. They became the objects of mockery. People would stick poisson d’avril (April fish) or paper fish on their backs to say that they were “easily hooked” or gullible people. IMO, humans haven’t changed much, lol.
- History? Some say that this history may be wrong, though. I’ll give two reasons. First, what could have been the first mention of April Fool’s was in 1508 by Eloy d’Amerval, a French poet who said: “poisson d’avril” which literally means “April’s fish” as stated above. Second, there is a mention of April Fool’s in a 1561 poem by a Flemish poet named Eduard de Dene. This negates the idea that April Fool’s started after 1563. It’s thought-provoking how history becomes distorted as life move on to the future. It makes you wonder how many historical “facts”, especially the ones with no clear documentation, are truly accurate. How true will the things happening now be presented 177 years from now? Perhaps the Internet would allow for better accuracy… if it still exists. If you are reading this from the future, hi, the person writing this is the world’s official most beautiful person ?.
- “Kick me” reference. Some say Scotland’s way of celebrating it may be the origin of the famous “kick me” sticker on one’s back. People who are pranked are called gowks (cuckoo birds). On Taily Day, the second day, pranks involving the butt are played. Yes, Scots celebrate April Fool’s for two days. I agree with whyever this is so.
- April 1 is a holiday in Cyprus and Odessa, Ukraine. I challenge you to find out the reason on your own. Let me know what you find!
- Some genuine news have been taken as April Fool’s jokes. One of such is the announcement of Gmail by Google. I can only imagine this! ?
I’ll stop here today. Read more about April Fool’s Day here and here.
These are 500 words (or more ?)! Talk to you tomorrow!