Friday, April 1, 2011

Happy April Fools Day - Postcard Friendship Friday #57



I adore April Fools Day.  That fact our dear Grandfather was born on that specific day was ever a delight to my siblings and I!  

There have been some amazing hoaxes done in the name of April Fools Day.  One of my favorites happened in 1957, when the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced on a popular news show that Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper crop of spaghetti, thanks to the annihilation of the spaghetti weevil. Women wearing traditional costumes were shown joyfully plucking the spaghetti from trees and laying the strands out to dry. 

Astonishingly, many viewers called the station to find out how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. BBC phone operators eventually came up with a standard answer: "Place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best."

Imagine that!   Happy Pff!

* Dave still has that wonderful contest going this week--the winner will receive a piece of his art.  For more details check out his blog, Old Paper Art.   

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!

15 comments:

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

Here is the BBC write up of the story. I've heard the story so many times - on the BBC - I almost feel as though I saw it myself, but I couldn't have at that time.

I'd forgotten it was April Fool's Day so my entry isn't at all related.

MrCachet said...

Marianne Dow @ http://www.msdowantiques.com/2011/04/something-fishy-is-going-on-today-april.html has an interesting bunch of FRENCH postcards posted today, and although she doesn't play PFF, it might be worth a visit for the history lesson!

Funoldhag said...

What a cute story about the spaghetti tree! That's a new one on this old hag!

dakotaboo said...

Happy PFF and Happy April Fool's Day, and Happy Birthday to my dad who would have been 86 today.

I've just submitted my entry for the week.

Scrappy Grams said...

My mom would have been 94 today. The only April Fool joke I found humorous was one my husband pulled on her. He made a round, layer cake from cardboard and iced it with frosting. When my mom tried to cut the cake, she burst out laughing, realizing the joke! I promise we had a real cake too. Otherwise I pretty much hate the April Fool "jokes."
BTW the card is precious.

Lois said...

It is a fun day! My grandson was having so much fun "fooling" me this morning.

Dorincard said...

The Spaghetti Tree story should have been featured in a YouTube videoclip released in 1957.
Years ago, somebody advertised a radio set that belonged to Chris Columbus, during his voyage towards the New World.
:)

Traci Michele said...

Visiting your blog from the UBP11! Nice to connect with you. Come visit me :-) Love, Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

That is SO funny about the spaghetti - I've never heard that!
How fun to do a postcard link up too.

MrCachet said...

To answer your question Beth, nobody left any comments for all, although one person did say they thought they'd uncovered three. Considering that, I'd say the contest is still open...

Joy said...

I don't think the BBC have ever topped the spaghetti hoax. Today's was that for the 2012 Olympics in London tickets were going to be scratch and sniff, smell of rubber for cycling, sunblock for beach volleyball etc.

Postcardy said...

I never heard that story before. That was a clever response, but they could also plant some spaghetti squash.

izzy said...

You have so many places to leave comments! hope you find this- just came to say thanks for visiting

Clytie said...

People can be so gullible - myself included I guess! When I was little I wanted my mom to buy "Imperial" margarine because I thought that if I ate it, I would suddenly have a wonderful crown to wear - just like on TV! Snicker.

Cher said...

Too funny!

Nice to ‘meet’ you!
Stopping by from the Ultimate Blog Party 2011!
Hope you’ll visit my party: http://momandmore.com/2011/04/2011-ultimate-blog-party-welcome-to-mom-and-more.html