WHY SHOULD YOU CELEBRATE TODAY?

Posted by Unknown On Thursday, April 1, 2010 13 comments
This page has now taken complete control of your computer. Resistance is futile. Prepare to assimilate the planet's best gags, college pranks, practical jokes, hoaxes, and general foolishness in celebration of April 1 - April Fool's Day. HAPPY APRIL FOOL's DAY!!!

Modern April Fools Day got its start during the ancient Roman holiday of Saturnalia (in honor of the god Saturn) when all class distinctions were abolished and slaves and their masters switched roles - temporarily, at least. Chaos ruled the day around the time of the spring equinox, which also marked the first day of the New Year under the ancient Julian calendar.

By the Middle Ages, Europeans retained the old Roman taste for a good time. So every spring, a Lord of Misrule, or King of Fools, was elected in towns & cities across Europe to celebrate.

Hundreds of years went by, and the practice was still being commemorated in Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame with its main character, Quasi Modo, performing as the King of Fools. Centuries later, a fairly hilarious look at gags that were popular in the 19th century was published under the title of April Fools and Other Fools.

Today, the tradition continues with gag gifts, dorm pranks, practical jokes and hoaxes being sprung on unsuspecting friends, office workers & family members on April 1 — with even otherwise august organizations like the BBC and Google having gotten into the act. So be forewarned and on the lookout! Have a happy April Fool's Day!

13 comments to WHY SHOULD YOU CELEBRATE TODAY?

  1. says:

    Boleh Man In Malaysia, we have :

    King of sandiwara players
    King of political toads
    King of state assembly clowns
    King of hopping frogs

  1. says:

    Anonymous Happy April Fool's Day, MWS.

    Is this a gag from the august BBC?

    'Sorcerer' faces imminent death in Saudi Arabia

    From the wiki on April Fool's Day

    "April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day is a holiday celebrated in various countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbors, or sending them on a fool's errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible."

    From the same wiki on origins:

    "According to an English newspaper article published in 1789, the day had its origin when Noah sent his dove off too early, before the waters had receded; he did this on the first day of the Hebrew month that corresponds with April."

    How about this article on When Zero Equals Infinity?

    :-)

  1. says:

    Cat-from-Sydney Aunty Paula,
    My Mama pulled the legs of some colleagues at her workplace today. Almost caused heart attack among some. har har har *evil laughs*

    Like mother, like son,
    Brad

  1. says:

    Selvi Perkasa are opportunists, says Nazri.

    This is definitely not an April Fool's Day joke!

  1. says:

    Selvi Nazri also stressed that the constitution does not state that the Bumiputera share in the national economy must be 30 per cent.

    In this respect, I really salute Nazri, the savior of all Malaysians!!

    Keep up the good work, Nazri!

  1. says:

    Anonymous Nothing is more pitiful than a nation being swept along by fools, everyday fools!

  1. says:

    Catherine Laughing takes your focus away from stressful situations.
    So, take a break, laugh a lot and you’ll feel better.

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Boleh Man

    We also have King of Fools :-).

    However, when the fools start talking, the rest of us start fuming!

    Happy April Fool's Day!

    Cheers

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 10.58am

    Many thanks for your links and info. The first link to BBC did not work. My boy and I enjoyed the mathematical one although I must confess that halfway through, my brains were fried :-).

    Thanks for the background info...I was going to include it in this post last night but deleted it. I am so glad you put it up here because it does give more background info.

    Take care and thanks for dropping by! Have not heard from you for some time now. Do keep in touch!

    Warmest regards

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Brad

    I knew you guys would be up to some tricks hehehe....I am waiting for Nick to come home :-)...

    *evil laughs*

    Take care and stay happy!

    Salam

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Selvi

    Witty comment!

    Cheers

    P.S. I also salute Nazri for this. Will be doing a post on that later...too many April Fool's distractions to keep me sane. Take care!

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Anon @ 11.55am

    How true!!! We seem all kinds of tomfoolery in the most bizarre places!

    Worse still, some fools speak and expect us to believe them!

    Sighs

    Anyway, do take care and thanks for sharing! have a lovely day.

    Cheers

  1. says:

    Unknown Dear Catherine

    *smiles*

    Very true!!! That is why I love to post jokes inbetween sopo posts. Keeps me sane :-).

    Take care and have a lovely day!

    Cheers

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