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April Fools Pranks And The Origin Of April Fools Pranks
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Published: October 10, 2006
Whoopie cushions, loose tops on salt shakers, fake news stories, and radio station hoaxes: the gullible fall for April Fools Day pranks and the smart know better. Where did it all start? Why do we pull pranks on April 1?
The book Extraordinary origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati says the practice of April Fools Day pranks may date back to the time of Christ. Christ was sent on unnecessary visits to Roman officials "when his fate had already been sealed." Journeys took Christ "from Annas to Caiaphas to Pilate to Herod, then back again to Pilate." This is where the term "Fool's errand" came from.
A more evident origin of April Fools Day comes from both Panati's book as well as Just Curious, Jeeves by Jack Mingo and Erin Barrett. In early sixteenth century France, during the time of King Charles IX, the original celebration of New Years Day was March 25. The celebration involved exchanging gifts and lasted for one week, ending with parties and dinners on April 1. When the calendar was changed in 1564 to the Gregorian calendar, changing the New Year to January 1, people forgot about the calendar change. Therefore, when people continued to receive the gifts as they did before, they were considered April Fools. Some of the pranks included sending ridiculous gifts to someone and sending invitations to parties that weren't taking place.
Before the term "April Fool" was used, those who fell for the pranks were called “poisson d' Avril” or April fish. The fish term was used because of the zodiac sign of Pisces, the fish. The sun leaves Pisces during April, starting the practice of pulling April Fools pranks. The April Fools pranks moved from France to England, then eventually to America.
Although it is not known just how many people pull or are the victim of April Fools pranks, pulling pranks is still done in today's society. Radio stations and television stations have pulled April Fools pranks many times. Probably the most famous prank involved the harvesting of spaghetti on trees. This was reported on the British Broadcasting Company's (BBC) television show "Panorama." Another television prank occurred in 1997 when Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak traded hosting duties with Jeopardy host Alex Trebek.
April Fools Day pranks have also been done on radio stations as well as on television stations. Boston area disc jockeys Opie and Anthony reported in 1998 that Boston Mayor Thomas Menino was killed in a car accident. The report could not be verified by Mayor Menino himself because at the time he was on a flight. As word of Mayor Menino's reported death spread across the city it eventually lead to his death being reported on the local news. Opie and Anthony were fired from the radio station as a result of the news prank.
Another radio station prank that caused less trouble than the Opie and Anthony prank was one that occurred on the Howard Stern Show in 2004. The station manager informed Stern's listeners that the Stern Show was cancelled due to the pressure from the Federal Communications Commission. The radio show played pop songs until 7:00 AM when Howard Stern went on the air to announce the prank.
The practice of pulling April Fools Day pranks dates back to the 1500s, or possibly as far back as the time of Christ. Pranks are still performed in today's society by children, in the office, and even the media. Pranks will most likely continue to be done for many years to come.
Wikipedia. "Well-known hoaxes." Theramonitor.com. April 2006. www.theramonitor.com. October 6, 2006. http://www.theramonitor.com/office_april_fools_jok es.html
Charles Panati. "Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things." New York, New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1987.
Jack Mingo and Erin Barrett. "Just Curious, Jeeves." Emeryville, California: Ask Jeeves, Inc., 2000.
The book Extraordinary origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati says the practice of April Fools Day pranks may date back to the time of Christ. Christ was sent on unnecessary visits to Roman officials "when his fate had already been sealed." Journeys took Christ "from Annas to Caiaphas to Pilate to Herod, then back again to Pilate." This is where the term "Fool's errand" came from.
A more evident origin of April Fools Day comes from both Panati's book as well as Just Curious, Jeeves by Jack Mingo and Erin Barrett. In early sixteenth century France, during the time of King Charles IX, the original celebration of New Years Day was March 25. The celebration involved exchanging gifts and lasted for one week, ending with parties and dinners on April 1. When the calendar was changed in 1564 to the Gregorian calendar, changing the New Year to January 1, people forgot about the calendar change. Therefore, when people continued to receive the gifts as they did before, they were considered April Fools. Some of the pranks included sending ridiculous gifts to someone and sending invitations to parties that weren't taking place.
Before the term "April Fool" was used, those who fell for the pranks were called “poisson d' Avril” or April fish. The fish term was used because of the zodiac sign of Pisces, the fish. The sun leaves Pisces during April, starting the practice of pulling April Fools pranks. The April Fools pranks moved from France to England, then eventually to America.
Although it is not known just how many people pull or are the victim of April Fools pranks, pulling pranks is still done in today's society. Radio stations and television stations have pulled April Fools pranks many times. Probably the most famous prank involved the harvesting of spaghetti on trees. This was reported on the British Broadcasting Company's (BBC) television show "Panorama." Another television prank occurred in 1997 when Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak traded hosting duties with Jeopardy host Alex Trebek.
April Fools Day pranks have also been done on radio stations as well as on television stations. Boston area disc jockeys Opie and Anthony reported in 1998 that Boston Mayor Thomas Menino was killed in a car accident. The report could not be verified by Mayor Menino himself because at the time he was on a flight. As word of Mayor Menino's reported death spread across the city it eventually lead to his death being reported on the local news. Opie and Anthony were fired from the radio station as a result of the news prank.
Another radio station prank that caused less trouble than the Opie and Anthony prank was one that occurred on the Howard Stern Show in 2004. The station manager informed Stern's listeners that the Stern Show was cancelled due to the pressure from the Federal Communications Commission. The radio show played pop songs until 7:00 AM when Howard Stern went on the air to announce the prank.
The practice of pulling April Fools Day pranks dates back to the 1500s, or possibly as far back as the time of Christ. Pranks are still performed in today's society by children, in the office, and even the media. Pranks will most likely continue to be done for many years to come.
Wikipedia. "Well-known hoaxes." Theramonitor.com. April 2006. www.theramonitor.com. October 6, 2006. http://www.theramonitor.com/office_april_fools_jok es.html
Charles Panati. "Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things." New York, New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1987.
Jack Mingo and Erin Barrett. "Just Curious, Jeeves." Emeryville, California: Ask Jeeves, Inc., 2000.
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