History and tradition of April Fool’s Day

Probably, it would be difficult to find someone who would never make fun of their loved ones in the April Fool’s Day (Fool’s Day) — April 1st. And who of us never was led on April Fools joke?

The origins of the festival

The origins of the festival reliably known. However, there are a lot of assumptions and theories about this. And the most common:

In the Middle Ages almost the whole of Europe New Year’s (New Year’s Day) was celebrated March 25 — at the Annunciation (Lady Day). And the eighth day after the feast of the church was just on 1 April. Historically, that to this day people were in high spirits and were not averse to a joke. Regarding the formation of the holiday, it could be France. It was in this country in 1564 was passed a decree that the New Year celebration was postponed to January 1st. But the news spread while not as fast as it is now. And many people ignorantly continued to celebrate the New Year in late March. A more sophisticated and knowledgeable to postpone the celebration of the month of January teased, «ignorant», which continued to enjoy the new year in March.

However, the April Fools’ Day can originate much earlier and the XVI century. In his «Canterbury Tales» («The Canterbury Tales»), written in 1392, Geoffrey Chaucer (Geoffrey Chaucer) makes reference to the 32 of March. This occurs in the «Tale Monastery chaplain» («Nun’s Priest’s Tale»), where the vain cock was fooled by a fox.

The tradition of celebrating the Day of Fools

Nevertheless, whatever the history of the holiday, wherever it took its origin, April Fools’ Day — the heritage of all countries and peoples. After all, he is loved and celebrated in their own way from New Zealand to Canada.

1. In the UK, called «April fool» (April fool) the one who was led to a joke or prank. But usually this nickname is no longer finding their destination in the afternoon. Anyone who continues to play the interlocutors and after 12 hours of the day, he becomes a «fool.»
2. In Italy, France, Belgium and French-speaking regions of Canada and Switzerland, there is a tradition as «April Fish» (April fish). Its essence is to stick to the back of a man cut out of paper fish, so that he does not notice it. This «April fish» is often featured on greeting cards by April 1, in the XX century.
3. And, of course, no modern Fools’ Day is not complete without the information draws on television, radio or in the press. I would like to bring the most memorable:
   • April 1, 1995 Discovery magazine published an article which said the bespantsirnyh worms that live in Antarctica. Their body temperature in the head was supposedly so high that they could melt the ice! Furthermore, these worms only eat the penguins!
   • 1 April 1957 the BBC news that the Swiss scientists have achieved unprecedented heights in the field of breeding — they were able to harvest pasta! And to confirm his words broadcaster has demonstrated the appropriate video.
   • April 1, 1998 Network Express Cafe Burger King placed an advertisement in USA Today on the establishment of the revolutionary left-handed burger! It has been argued that the palatability of a new hamburger did not differ from the old, because all the ingredients were the same. But now they were turned over 180 degrees for easy left-handed!
   • April 1, 2008 told BBC News that the penguins have learned to fly! The reason for this miracle was the evolution of global warming. Unusual found a flock of operators to remove them within a few days. Terry Jones, director of the group, said that the sudden change of weather made the birds that did not try to do before — flapped its wings and headed to the sky!
   • April 1, 1962 technician only Swiss TV channel reported on breakthrough technology: now the audience will be able to forget about the black-and-white television, which at the time had no alternative. To do this, it needed only to pull a nylon stocking on the screen, and then the image will automatically become colored!
   • April 1, 2002 the US Tesco supermarket chain announced the creation of genetically modified «whistling» carrots. On either side of this vegetable is now located holes. Now, when the carrot reaches readiness, alert the owner about this whistle, published by vegetables!
   • April 1, 1915 at the height of World War I on the German camp and flew French aircraft, as it seemed to the soldiers who threw the bomb. However, instead the ball fell to the ground with the inscription «From April 1!»

In addition to all the above pranks suggest a link to a video of the innocent (and not) jokes that you can entertain yourself and your family first of April!

Here it is April 1: unpredictable, absurd and, of course, ridiculous! And do not follow the adage, «The first of April do not believe anyone!». Believe me, joking and laugh at others and himself. Laugh not only prolongs life!

• Be sure to read the article «The laughter in English: different ways of laughing» our teacher Marina. In it you will find the most comprehensive list of useful phrases of smiles, laughter, and many other things.

Do you know that…

• Laughter boosts the immune system and helps to resist various diseases. That’s what scientists say Harvard.
• Laughter is very popular in Japan, tuberculosis hospitals, as well laugh ventilate the lungs.
• In Malaysia, the students are taught breathing exercises simulating laughter. They help to overcome anxiety before an exam, and therefore are so popular among young people.
• In 80-90% of cases, cause laughter phrases that do not contain anything funny.
• English physician William Osler stated that people who laugh 17 minutes a day, extend your life for a year!

So laugh heartily!

PS By the way, have you heard that the mechanical clock Big Ben will be replaced by electronic ?!

 

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