April Fools' Day is filled with the usual array of pranks, jokes, and hoaxes. People took to social media to share their elaborate pranks, and companies joined in the fun with creative marketing campaigns. Some notable pranks from previous years included fake product launches, absurd news stories, and harmless office pranks. It's always a day where you have to approach everything with a healthy dose of skepticism! Did you experience any memorable pranks this year?
Origin
April Fool s Day is thought to originate long back in 1582, when new Gregorian calendar was adopted over the older Julian calendar. Previously, April 1st was considered the New Year day and the first day of the year. This was later changed to January 1st by King Charles IX of France while some of the people continued to practice older system.It is also considered that few people might have celebrated the April 1st as the first day of summer, confusing it with the May Day or 1st May.
April Fool's Day doesn't have one specific legend tied to its origins, but there are a few popular theories and stories that attempt to explain how the tradition began:
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Change of Calendar: One theory suggests that April Fool's Day dates back to 16th-century France when the country switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. Those who failed to recognize the new start of the year on January 1st and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1st became the butt of jokes and hoaxes.
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Roman Festival: Some historians link April Fool's Day to ancient Roman festivals such as Hilaria, which was celebrated at the end of March. During this festival, people would dress up in disguises and mock one another.
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Celebration of Spring: Another theory suggests that April Fool's Day is tied to the vernal equinox, a time when various cultures celebrate the arrival of spring with festivals and merrymaking. Pranks and jokes may have been a way to celebrate the changing seasons.
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Noah's Ark: A biblical theory connects April Fool's Day to the story of Noah's Ark. According to this legend, Noah sent a dove out of the ark too early, on April 1st, and it returned without finding land. This was considered a foolish move.
Across the World
April Fool's Day is celebrated in various ways, typically involving playing harmless pranks, jokes, and hoaxes on friends, family, and sometimes even strangers. Here are some common ways people celebrate:
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Practical Jokes: People play light-hearted pranks on others, such as putting a whoopee cushion on a chair, setting up fake spilled drinks, or placing a plastic bug in someone's belongings.
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Fake News and Hoaxes: April Fool's Day often sees the circulation of fake news stories and hoaxes in the media and online. These can range from outrageous headlines to elaborate pranks designed to fool people.
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Office Pranks: In workplace settings, colleagues may play jokes on each other, such as switching office supplies, covering someone's desk in sticky notes, or setting up fake out-of-office messages.
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Social Media Shenanigans: People may post fake announcements or photos on social media platforms to prank their friends and followers. This could include fake engagements, job changes, or travel plans.
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Public Pranks: Some individuals and organizations organize public pranks or events to entertain people and spread laughter. These can range from flash mobs to elaborate street performances.
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Reverse Pranks: In a twist on the traditional prank, some people may engage in "reverse pranks" where they do something unexpectedly kind or generous, catching others off guard.
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Prank Calls and Messages: Making prank phone calls or sending funny text messages is another common way to celebrate April Fool's Day, although it's important to ensure that these pranks are harmless and don't cause distress.
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April 1st is celebrated universally across the world as April fool s Day. Celebrations for April fool s day are limited till noon time in few countries like UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa while in Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Netherlands and the U.S, celebrations are carried through out the day.
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In Scotland, for example, April fool s Day is observed for two days. The second day is meant for playing pranks involving the posterior region of the body and is also referred as Taily Day. The origin of the "kick me" sign can be traced to this observance.
- In France, April fool s day is called "Poisson d Avril." French kids play a special game on this day. The object of the game is to tape a paper fish on someone s back without that person noticing. When the victim spots the fish taped to their back, the kids yell "Poisson d’Avril!" (April Fish!).
- In Belgium, April 1st is meant for playing pranks on others but the phrase is said that one tries to bake April Fish on this day.
In India though April fools Day is not celebrated as a traditional festival but these days it is becoming popular and is mainly celebrated among youngsters and kids. People love to play jokes and then shout as "April Fool."
इस आर्टिकल को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें