Wednesday, April 1, 2015

April Fool’s Day

As a child, I remember my father playing some small joke on my mother during April Fool’s Day, the first day of April. It was always silly, something that amused them both, and they would share a laugh together afterwards, which I found endearing.

But where did this tradition originate? Apparently, no one knows for certain. However, here’s the most popular theory: In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bull decreeing a new standard calendar for Christian Europe. Before that time Europe’s nations and city states used the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar moved the date of the new year from April 1 to January 1. In the Middle Ages, Lady Day or the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25th, was considered the first day of the new year. Some Europeans continued to celebrate the new year on March 25th through April 1st. April fools were those who still celebrated the holiday then, and were the subject of pranks or ridicule by those who now observed the new year several months before. Popular since the 19th century, the day is well known in Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil and the United States as a day when people play practical jokes on others.

Foolish behavior isn’t related to just one day, of course. It often shows up in literature and music for instance.  As Shakespeare writes in A Midsummer Nights Dream: “Lord, what fools these mortals be.”  And to quote a question posed by a popular 20th century song title: Why Do Fools Fall in Love?

People in love often do behave foolishly or recklessly and that is a common theme in literature. Human beings are flawed and imperfect. Behaving foolishly is just one manifestation of this. It can be humorous or tragic. In my mystery novel THE BAD WIFE, for example, police lieutenant Mike Gardener uses poor judgment in declaring publicly to Kim Reynolds, the reluctant sleuth of the series, that he might have to kill his wife so they can be married. When he confides what he’s done to fellow officer and friend, Bert St. Croix, she berates his foolishness as has Kim. Thus begins a mystery thriller with many twists and surprises.

                                               http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J6PCKVW
Have you ever pulled a prank on someone? Was it on April Fool’s Day? Does foolish behavior on the part of anyone either  in real life or in fiction annoy or amuse you? Comments welcome.


16 comments:

  1. Fascinating. Perhaps the day did come about during a calendar change. Sounds plausible. My husband and I play April Fools tricks on one another and on our kids. He zings me more than I get him though. Must be a writer thing. Who pays attention to dates when there's a scene to write? :) Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Very interesting--both the origin of today's silliness and your newest book--something I'll have to look into.

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    1. Hi, June,

      THE BAD WIFE is the 4th book in the Kim Reynolds mystery series and I think in many ways the most satisfying--and that's no April Fool's Day joke!

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  4. Hi, Rose,

    Sounds like there's a lot of fun at your house!

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  5. Fascinating post, Jacqueline. There never was any acknowledgement of April Fool's at my home and The Husband and I just ignore it. I think we're missing something. Thanks for the history. One cannot help but wonder how these benign traditions began, and if they were benign to start with. Janis, aka Susan

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    1. A small joke can be amusing, but some pranks are definitely not benign.

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  6. Thanks for the info on the origin of April Fool's Day, Jacquie. To answer your question: While pranks in fiction amuse me, in real life not so much. :)

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    1. Hi, Pat,

      I'm not in favor of pranks in real life either. I never found Candid Camera or shows of that type amusing. I hate seeing people embarrassed publicly.

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  7. I tried one on my spouse this morning but he caught on before I finished the joke. Here in Vermont it's the weatherman who keeps shouting April Fools! at us. Sunny forecast for today? Oops--rain and snow showers. But what can we do but grin and put up our jacket hoods. Anyway, informative post, Jacquie.

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    1. Hi, Nancy,

      Yes, the calendar says spring, but Mother Nature has her own ideas it seems!

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    1. Hi, D'Ann,

      So glad you could drop by. How's the weather in Colorado?

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  9. Spending April 1st with two little grand girls makes certain April Fool's jokes. "There's a hole in your pants," and "This hose doesn't work," (until you put it up to your eye), for example. Thanks for a blog that makes me smile!

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  10. Glad you enjoyed the blog! Grand kids are the best.

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  11. Glad you enjoyed the blog! Grand kids are the best.

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