Do you love playing pranks on everyone? Your moment to shine has arrived! This Tuesday, April 1st, the United States celebrates April Fool’s Day, a special day where you can prank anyone without getting scolded. Here’s the origin of this celebration and how you can make the most of this fun day. Take note!
What is April Fools’ Day?
It’s a celebration that takes place every year on April 1st. On this day, Americans have fun pulling pranks and tricks on their friends, family, and coworkers, all in the name of surprise and laughter. Over time, these pranks have expanded beyond face-to-face interactions and have taken over the internet, where fake news has become a common practice. So, be extra cautious about what you read and hear on this day!
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What is the origin of April Fools’ Day?
The origin of April Fools’ Day is still unclear, but one widely accepted theory points to the Julian calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C., where the New Year began on April 1st. However, Pope Gregory VIII introduced a new way of counting days, giving rise to the Gregorian calendar we use today, with the New Year starting on January 1st.
This shift in the New Year’s celebration date wasn’t immediate, and it took time for everyone to adopt it. Those who continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1st were considered naïve or “fools.” Since then, April 1st became the day for celebrating April Fools’ Day.
How is April Fools’ Day celebrated in the United States?
April Fools’ Day is celebrated with all kinds of pranks, ranging from simple tricks to more elaborate schemes. Some pranks are more popular and never go out of style, such as:
- Deceptive pranks, like claiming you’re getting married or pregnant (a classic).
- Psychological pranks, like gradually moving an object.
- Scary tricks, like placing rubber animals somewhere to startle someone.
- Prank phone calls.
- Hiding objects or making them difficult to access.
- Food-related pranks, such as swapping sugar for salt.
10 pranks to pull on April Fools’ Day
Tap into your fun side and prank your friends and family this April Fools’ Day. Here are some ideas:
- “Honk and Smile”: Place a sign outside a car that says “Honk and Smile.” Throughout their drive, the driver will wonder why everyone is honking at them.
- Early Alarm: Set someone’s alarm clock an hour earlier than usual.
- Dirty Diaper: Put melted chocolate inside a diaper and leave it somewhere for someone to get a surprise.
- Language Switch: Change the language on a family member, friend, or coworker’s phone or computer to one they don’t understand. Watch as they lose it!
- Toothpaste Swap: Fill a toothpaste tube with cream cheese and wait for the reaction of the person using it.
- Uncontrollable Remote: Cover the sensor of the remote control with tape so no one can change the TV channels.
- Confused Keyboard: Rearrange the keys on a family member, friend, or coworker’s keyboard so that they’re in the wrong order, making it impossible to type.
- Birthday Switch: Change someone’s birthday in your calendar so everyone wishes them a happy birthday on April 1st.
- Useless Soap: Cover a bar of soap with clear nail polish so it won’t lather.
- Sticky Chair: A classic! Place double-sided tape on someone’s chair so they get stuck when they sit down.
Enjoy the reactions of your “victims” after your prank, and don’t forget to shout “Fool!” at the end of each joke!
