Who has never hung a paper fish on the back of a friend or colleague on April 1st? Who has never shouted “April Fools!” after making a prank?
This tradition of April 1 pranks seems to date back to ancient times, when the Greeks celebrated Momos, the god of laughter. Some also put forward the hypothesis of moving the first day of the year to January 1st. Many French people continued to celebrate the New Year from March 25 to April 1, by giving each other gifts or pranks.
Since when have we been talking about “April Fools”?
The expression “April fools” seems to date from the end of the Middle Ages. The 15th century poet Pierre Michault speaks of “April fools” to designate a young boy responsible for carrying his master’s love notes. The expression is also found in the Book of Deablerie d’Eloy d’Amerval, dating from 1507.
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In 1539, the Dutch poet Eduard de Dene wrote the story of a nobleman who mocks his servant by sending him on useless errands. In this comic poem he repeatedly speaks of “April Fools”. It is from the 17th century that the expression designates a joke made on April 1st.
In 1718, the Dictionary of the French Academy defines the expression “April Fool’s Day” as “[le fait d’] forcing someone to take some unnecessary step in order to have reason to make fun of him.” This fits perfectly with Eduard’s use of Dene in his poem.
Why do we make jokes on April 1st?
The origin of April Fool’s Day is uncertain. According to some, the tradition of making jokes on April 1 dates back to the reign of Charles IX. In 1564, the King of France decided, by the Edict of Roussillon, that the year would begin on January 1st.
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Previously, New Year’s Day was March 25, and the festivities were in full swing on April 1. Many French people continue to celebrate the New Year on this date. Gradually, the New Years turn into gifts then into pranks. However, April 1 pranks may be older.
In ancient times, the Greeks celebrated Momos, the god of laughter and mockery, on April 1st. They then indulged in all types of pranks. The Romans continue the tradition by celebrating the Hilaria on March 25. During these festivities, jokes and pranks were required. Commoners even had the right to make fun of nobles.
Why an April Fool’s joke?
The connection between fish and pranks is unclear. First of all, it should be noted that the April Fools tradition is followed especially in French-speaking countries and in Italy. In other countries, it is also customary to make jokes, but not related to fish.
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In the United Kingdom and the United States, for example, it is April Fool. April Fools may be explained by the fact that fish is a food eaten during Lent. It is also said that the victims of pranks are like fish, which are animals that are easy to trick and catch.
Is April Fool’s Day international?
The custom of making jokes on April 1 is present in many countries. However, not everyone goes about it the same way. In the Netherlands, people throw herrings at people while shouting “laugh” (crazy herring).
In Portugal, flour is thrown at passers-by. In Ireland, they send someone with a letter that says “send this idiot to someone else.” Thus, the messenger is sent from recipient to recipient, until pity is taken on him.
In Scotland, pranks last two days. On the second day, people hang tails behind their backs.