History of April Fool's Day

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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.

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.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

In Scotland, for instance, April Fool's Day is devoted to spoofs involving the buttocks and as such is called Taily Day. The butts of these jokes are known as April 'Gowk', another name for cuckoo bird. 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 Rome, the holiday is known as Festival of Hilaria, celebrating the resurrection of the god Attis, is on March 25 and is also referred to as "Roman Laughing Day."

In Portugal, April Fool's Day falls on the Sunday and Monday before lent. In this celebration, many people throw flour at their friends.

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

Mexico's counterpart of April Fool's Day is actually observed on December 28. It is a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.

So, no matter where you happen to be in the world on April 1, don't be surprised if April fools fall playfully upon you.

詞匯：

rebellious：adj. 造反的, 反叛的, 難于對付的
populace：n. 平民
subject (to): 易受…的
ridicule：n. & v. 嘲笑, 奚落
prank: n. 胡鬧, 開玩笑, 惡作劇
harassment: n. 折磨
colony: n. 殖民地
spoof: n. 胡說；戲弄
resurrection: n. 復蘇
smear: v. 涂上,
commemoration: n. 紀念

愚人節(jié)的由來

愚人節(jié)又稱萬愚節(jié)，已經(jīng)有幾百年的歷史了。關于他的起源，眾說紛云。其中最為流行的說法認為愚人節(jié)起源于法國。

十六世紀的法國，人們在4月1日這天過新年，互贈禮物，舉辦晚會，慶祝新年。當時的慶祝方法與現(xiàn)在相差無幾。1582年年，法國國王查理九世決定采用一種新的歷法——格高利歷法，新年改在1月1日。在新歷法的推行過程中，各地仍有一些人或是不原意接受新歷法，或是不知道這一日期的更改，仍然在4月1日這天過新年。其他的人便捉弄他們，贈送他們假禮物，邀請他們參加假慶祝晚會，騙他們去跑腿，或使他們對某種根本不存在的事情信以為真。這些受騙的人被稱為“四月愚人”。

從此，人們在4月1日這一天便互相愚弄，日久天長，便成為法國流行的風俗。十八世紀初，“愚人節(jié)”的習俗傳到英國。后來，隨著英國移民又傳到了美國。隨著時間的流逝，這一習俗已經(jīng)成為國際性節(jié)日，在歐洲、北美許多國家都流行。這一天，人們可以不拘一格地“輕松”一下。當然愚弄人的手法也是花樣百出。

關于受愚弄的人，在不同的國家給予不同的稱呼。大部分人都稱他們?yōu)椤八脑掠奕恕?。但有時，有的國家也有其他的稱呼。在法國人們把上當者稱為“四月魚”，可能是因為四月里，魚最容易上鉤的緣故吧；而在英國的蘇格蘭，則稱為“布谷鳥”，可能是指一只呆鳥吧。
同時，有的國家雖然不過“愚人節(jié)”，但也有類似的節(jié)日。在羅馬，曾有“嬉樂節(jié)”，在3月25日。而印度有“歡悅節(jié)”，在3月31日。這些節(jié)日和愚人節(jié)類似。有趣的是，這些節(jié)日都在春天，所以，有人說這些節(jié)日與“春分”有關，因為這時的天氣變化無常，讓人琢磨不透，有些捉弄人的感覺。墨西哥也有“愚人節(jié)”，不過是在12月18日。

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