By Jeannine Hartmann
Enthusiast of the written word, film and television. Student of
communication, culture, and management working with RTÉ LifeStyle.
On April 1st, grown-ups around the world get to act like kids and pull
pranks on their nearest and dearest.
Every year, broadcasters have the public gobsmacked by unlikely headlines,
households are on edge as families wait for foghorns to go off at the
breakfast table, and teachers are exceptionally wary of their students come
lunchtime.
Regardless of whether you plan to take part, or you simply want to keep
yourself from looking the fool, it's good to be prepared for this unusual
day.
Where did it come from?
Fittingly, the origins of April Fools' Day are shrouded in mystery. While
some believe that it was used as a way to celebrate the turn of the season,
and welcome spring with joy and foolishness after the short and dark winter
days, others think that it refers to the adoption of a new calendar in the
Middle Ages. Some historians speculate that the custom dates back to 1582,
when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar,
meaning that the new year began around April 1. Those who forgot that the
start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it
around April 1st became known as "April fools."
Some historians have linked the prank-filled day to festivals such as
Hilaria (Latin for joyful), which was celebrated in ancient Rome at the end
of March and saw people dressing up in disguises and mocking fellow
citizens. What historians generally can agree on is that the custom came to
Britain during the 18th century, and there is evidence of a two-day event in
Scotland called Huntigowk Day that saw people being sent on joke errands and
having fake tails stuck to their backsides.
What type of pranks are pulled?
Whether you want to scare your sister with fake spiders or welcome home your
other half with a surprise water balloon fight, there are plenty of fun and
safe ways to celebrate this silly day. If, however, you want to take things
a step further, take inspiration from these playful pranksters...
A broken antique
Flying penguins
Richard Branson's UFO
Spaghetti harvest
RTÉ LifeStyle.
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