Pranks

I never like April Fool's pranks. It always turned out to be and your the biggest fool at last! It got so bad as a kid I dreaded April 1. It was enough to make you not go to school.

I know it's all in fun but I don't have that sense of humor. I don't pick on people and sure don't want to be picked myself.

It really died out as I have gotten older, maybe it's more of a kid thing or more of the era at that time. Wouldn't you know the day originated in France.

"The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 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 (new year's week) to January 1.

Send invitations to nonexistent parties and have other practical jokes played upon them. Communication 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 change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.

These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties 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."

So don't be fooled, it is really New Year's. At least it was until the Gregorian Calendar was accepted.

I think I will say Happy New Year's to someone today. They will really think I am a fool then!

Ed