It's April Fools Day! -Postcard Friendship Friday #307

When the dignitaries at large changed the calendar date of New Year’s Day from April 1st to January 1st in the 1700’s, some folks refused to make the change.  These people were labeled "fools.”  People who no longer celebrated New Years on April 1^st made fun of those who still did.  

Those who would not acknowledge the change in calendar were called "poisson d'avril," or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught.  As a  joke people would attach a paper fish to a person’s back without their knowing it.  They were sent on “fool” errands.  They were even sent invitations to parties which never materialized as well as other not so nice practical jokes. 

Eventually playing pranks on everyone April 1st became the custom. The tradition spread to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Since those days, April Fool's Day is celebrated everywhere, with each country commemorating the holiday in its own way.

In Scotland, April Fool's Day is devoted to spoofs involving one’s, er, behind and is called Taily Day.  These jokes are known as April 'Gowk' which is a cuckoo bird. It is a fact that 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 America, pranks are played all day--a favorite from my childhood would be to ask someone if their shoe was untied.  When the person would look to see--we'd say, "Made ya look!"  

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

In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before Lent. In this celebration, some  people throw flour at their friends.  Can you imagine?

The Huli Festival is celebrated on March 31 in India. People play jokes on one another and smear colors on one another, thus celebrating the arrival of Spring.

It is a truth that people everywhere dearly love to laugh.  Laughter is truly good for one's soul.

Happy April Fool's Day and have a lovely Postcard Friendship Friday!

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April Fools Day and Fish - Postcard Friendship Friday #109

I’ve always wondered about the association of April Fool’s Day and fish. One can find many vintage postcards with ladies in lovely clothing, cradling a dead fish! 

No one really knows exactly when April Fools Day, or how All Fool’s Day actually began.  Most historians believe it started in 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX.  When the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, New Year's Day was moved from April First, to January First.

But in those days, news didn't travel quickly, so some people learned of the calendar change several years later.  Until then, they continued to celebrate the New Year in April.  Yet there were others who were rebellious about the change, who refused to acknowledge the new calendar date and who continued to celebrate the New Year in April.

These rebels were labeled "fools.”   People made fun of them and sent the dissenters on "fool errands."  People would often send these defiant folks invitations to nonexistent parties and played other mean-spirited practical jokes upon them. 

Apparently people called those celebrating the new year on April Fool’s Day "poisson d'avril," or "April fish."  It has the idea of a young naive fish, which is easily caught. A favorite joke at that time, was to hook a paper fish on people’s backs without their knowledge.  It is thought that sticking a paper on someone's back with the words "kick me," evolved from that ancient tradition.

As time passed, the world adopted the new calendar celebrating the New Year on January First.  However, the custom of prank-playing on April First continued. April Fool's Day eventually spread to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French.

So now you know why April Fools Day cards often have fish on them!

On a more personal note, our Grandfather was born on April 1st, so this date has a special meaning for me and my family.

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