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The Aprils Fool’s Day

• April Fools' Day is celebrated in different countries around the world on April 1 every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day, April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of jokes and foolishness. The day is marked by the commission of good-humoured or otherwise funny jokes, hoaxes, and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, teachers, neighbours, work associates, etc.

HISTORY

The ancient Greeks would have loved April fool's day. They so adored being clever. It’s easy to imagine the ancient Athenians concocting their plots and chanting their victories, and the ancient Spartans rigging their barracks and roaring with laughter.

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.

Communication travelled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.

These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace

Celebration Of This Festival In Different Countries

In Scotland, where the tradition is celebrated over the course of forty-eight hours, April Fool's Day is also known as "April Gowk," "Gowkie Day" or "Hunt the Gowk.” The second day of the Scottish April Fool's custom is devoted exclusively to pranks involving the posterior region of the body. This is known as "Taily Day" and the origin of the ever-popular "Kick Me" sign is likely traceable to this observance.

Scotland

In England, where tricks and pranks are only permissible during the morning hours of All Fool's Day, the victim is known as a "noodle.” If a child is successful in playing a trick on another, then it is usual for the perpetrator to taunt: "Fool, fool, the guckaw!." On the other hand, if the victim fails to fall for the trick, then the retort is: "The gowk and the titlene sit on a tree...you're a gowk as well as me!" A "titlene" is a hedge sparrow. In the County of Cheshire in England, an April Fool is an "April Gawby," sometimes referred to as a "gobby" or "gob. In Devon, however, this is known as "Tail-Pipe Day." In the Lake District area of England, an April Fool is an "April Noddy" and at the end of the day, it is customary to chant: "April Noddy's past and gone...You're the fool an' I'm none."

England

In Mexico, April Fool's Day is observed on December 28. Originally a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the Innocents by King Herod, it eventually evolved into a much lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.

In Portugal, April Fool's Day is celebrated on the Sunday and Monday prior to the Lenten Season, with the traditional trick being to throw flour at one's friends.

Mexico

Portugal

In France, April 1st 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!)

France

Over the years, India too has started celebrating the widely known Fool’s day under western influence. This day is more popular with the youth of India including kids, college-goers and young professionals. The Indian kids usually point out to something which is not present at that point of time in that place to draw the attention of the victim. When the victim fails to realize the motive and start looking for the object, the trickster yells April Fool! The grown-ups also do these things but strictly with their close friends only.

India

How To Trick And The Rules.

April 1st is a day set aside to play small, clever tricks on people. Placing salt in the sugar bowl when no one is looking is not a real trick. Where's the cleverness in that?

A real April Fool's trick takes thought, creativity, timing, and a bit of acting.

Rules1. Your trick must be harmless.

2. Your victim must believe you

3. Your trickery must make you victim smile (better yet, laugh) when you shout “April Fool!” Otherwise, it doesn't qualify as an April fool’s Day trick

A Few Harmless Pranks

• Put food colouring in milk.

• Superglue coins to a sidewalk. This works best on an old, worn sidewalk.

• Go with a couple of friends, stand near some busy street corner - stare and point up at the sky. Watch the reactions of people around you!

A Few Harmless Pranks

Thank You.R.Santhoshi

Srilaya