Thursday, April 1, 2010

April Fool's Day

What is a fool? I think of a clown or silly person, someone not so smart or a joker. So why do we have a holiday celebrating this kind of person? Maybe just an excuse for playing tricks on others, etc.? I found this online:

Unlike most of the other nonfoolish holidays, the history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring.

The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1. Source

I don't like the idea of practical jokes like replacing the sugar with salt-I did that once as a young girl to my family, but perhaps having a better sense of humor would be helpful to all of us on this special strange day.

8 comments:

  1. I suppose, like pinchng on St Patrick's Day, playing little tricks on April 1 do sort of spice up an otherwise ordinary day, but as elementary school teachers we were always glad when it fell on a weekend, because little kids' tricks were awfully lame.

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  2. I am glad that my day went of peacefully...heeee !!It used to be prank calls,false reunions ,false tea-invitations.

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  3. I've had the kitchen sink sprayer trick played on me by my children but that is about it! It seems to be a big deal for children.

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  4. Nice post, Lin. I don't like practical jokes either. Although I have more of a sense of humor now than when I was younger...still don't like practical jokes.

    Thanks so much for the award, you're the greatest!

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  5. I have never really played any pranks on anyone as I wouldn't want one played on me either....Michelle

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  6. i was fooled by my HOD . lol!!!! all in a days work.

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  7. My brother told me on the phone about Google changing its name to Topeka, and I couldn't believe it. Then I saw Brian Williams talking about the April Fool's Day joke on the news. Now that was really something else!!

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  8. It is a silly day. I like the way Google handled it.

    My daughter and her friend put a rat stuffed animal in her locker and then called all their friends to see. It was a fleeting laugh. Innocent fun.

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