Coastaldigest.com

Tweet

Share

It was a dark Thursday night; the clouds were clearly laid below the horizon. The darkness & silence was perfect for a night crawler to enjoy the quite. The guy was in great confusion, he couldn’t realize life was so large and fantastic that melancholy was in the fray, here to stay- yahoo, just like you!! I am sure you might be wondering what meaningless nonsense is typed out, that’s just to irritate you, appropriately fool you.

“The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year” - Mark Twain

Well!! Really… this wasn’t how April fool’s day came into existence. The history of April fool’s Day is doubtful, but the current thinking is that it began approximately in 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 to January 1. Communiqué traveled 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 amendment and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1. These men were called FOOLs, then they were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke. Not only that, these guys also got fake invitations for different parties & functions, and it was only later that they realized they were in the wrong place in- Toto.

“However big the fool, there is always a bigger fool to admire him” - Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux

People interpret this day in different manner, it varies from countries to countries & depends on the kind of person, on the broader perspective his character & nature. Today if you fool everyone & anyone, one might get beaten up or who knows the fate of the fellow.

In Scotland, for instance, April Fool's Day is devoted to spoofs involving the buttocks and as such is called Taily Day. The butts of these jokes are known as April 'Gowk', another name for cuckoo bird. The origins of the "Kick Me" sign can be traced back to the Scottish observance.

In England, jokes are played only in the morning. Fools are called 'gobs' or 'gobby' and the victim of a joke is called a 'noodle.' It was considered back luck to play a practical joke on someone after noon.

In Rome, the holiday is known as Festival of Hilaria, celebrating the resurrection of the god Attis, is on March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman Laughing Day."

In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends.

April Fool's Day is actually observed on December 28 in Mexico. Originally, the day was a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the innocent children by King Herod. It eventually evolved into a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.

“It's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and leave no doubt.” - Mark Twain

Fool’s day in India is generally begun by 31st March & progresses into 1stApril. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on one another celebrating the arrival of Spring. Nowadays, workaholics might not like this day, and many do consider it as a nuisance. But in the student community, by and large they enjoy it playing pranks. Pranks performed on April Fool's Day range from the simple, (such as saying, "Your shoe's untied!), to the elaborate. Setting a roommate's alarm clock back an hour is a common gag. Whatever the prank, the trickster usually ends it by yelling to his victim, "April Fool!"

April Fools' practical jokes should be done in good fun and not meant to harm anyone. The best jokes are the clever ones where everyone laughs, especially the person who had the joke played on them, Put food coloring in milk, 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! - There are so many stuff one can do without hurting anyone. Please remember friends, when someone’s weakness provides the laughter, it’s a poor joke.

“He who lives without folly isn't so wise as he thinks” - François, Duc de La Rochefoucauld

Once I had called up my aunty on 1stApril & I told her very seriously that I would be there for lunch, infact I also ordered her to cook chicken, mutton & other dishes. Little did she know, I wouldn’t turn up. The afternoon went by & her patient waiting turned into restlessness, and finally giving up any hope of my appearance to her place, she called me & enquired what in the world I was doing. I told her nicely, I wish you a happy fool’s day. She got wild as now the food would be wasted, but yeah as I say, let not sentiments be hurt, I went there in the late hours of evening and did dine at her place. But realize Unlike most of the other non foolish holidays, 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. But it does not really matter, we could have our share of fun, however as now this day is a reality.

April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" observance. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but a holiday on which one must remain forever vigilant, for he may be the next April Fool!

As I end this, I take my opportunity to wish you all a very Happy April Fool’s Day, no offences literally!

(The writer can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

More from Edmond Fernandes:

* The Virtue Called Humility: Easter of Change

* Chromosome & HIV: A Nobel Insight

---