Did we fool you? Did you read our article regarding the new ‘Skate to commute’ initiative and click to register your interest? This is a typical example of an April Fool, an idea or stunt that is staged before midday on April 1, to bring a smile to people’s faces and get them questioning whether it’s real or a joke.

The History 

The exact origins of when and where April Fool’s Day began are uncertain however according to History.com ‘some historians speculate that it dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar.’ As a result, the new year was no longer observed in March with the spring equinox but January 1. Some people failed to realise this and became the focus of jokes known as ‘April fools’.   

Early pranks included putting a paper fish on individuals backs and calling them ‘poisson d’avril’ (April fish), which History.com go on to explain ‘symbolised a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person’, relating to the belief that there in an increase in fish in the streams in April, making them easier to catch.   

This tradition is still carried out in parts of France and across Europe today. Along with the giving of chocolate fish, according to Newsround. 

It is believed the tradition finally came to the UK in the 18th Century. Since then, broadcasters, newspapers and websites have competed to come up with the most bizarre and creative pranks. Individuals who play pranks of each other, often shout ‘April Fool’ at the end, so people know it is just a joke. 

When to play a joke and when the joke is on you

In the UK, pranks have traditionally been played until 12 noon, if any are played after this time it is believed the ‘joker’ becomes the ‘April Fool’. According to HITC website this is not, however, a tradition observed in other countries.

Memorable April Fool’s

There have been so many memorable April Fool’s, over the years including:  

• BBC’s Flying Penguins. In 2008 as part of the BBC iPlayer ‘Making the Unmissable, Unmissable’ campaign the BBC released content on April 1, claiming to have discovered ‘flying penguins'.

• Google Nose. In 2013 Google announced a new feature on its homepage where users would be able to smell what they were searching for.

• BBC Spaghetti Harvest. In 1957, BBC’s Panorama released a 3-minute spoof documentary claiming spaghetti was being harvested in Ticino in Italy.

• Burger King’s Left-Handed Whopper. In 1998, Burger King took out an advertorial in USA Today announcing the launch of its ‘left-handed Whopper burger’.

To read our 2022 April Fool click here.