History of April Fool’s Day
In which month and day is April Fool’s Day celebrated?
April 1st
Which two countries use the name April Fish for April Fool’s Day?
France and Switzerland
In 2008, the BBC created a hoax about penguins. What was unusual about them?
They were said to be flying to the Amazon
Fade – What does it mean when something “fades”?
Fade = to slowly disappear or lose strength (e.g., The color faded in the sun.)
Which year had the first known mention of April Fool’s Day in a text?
1392
What do pranksters in France and Switzerland attach to people’s backs?
A paper fish
Who was the filmmaker whose name was an anagram of April Fool’s Day?
Prof. Ail Loyas (an anagram of April Fool’s Day)
Error – What does it mean in the phrase “copying error”?
Error = a mistake (e.g., There was an error in the report.)
Some scholars believe April Fool’s began because of a mistake in what?
A copying error in a text
What is the typical prank format in the U.S. and U.K.?
Playing practical jokes or tricks
What documentary-style video did the BBC release about penguins?
A sophisticated mock documentary about penguins flying
Comprehend – What does it mean when people “comprehend” something?
Comprehend = to understand (e.g., They finally comprehended it was a joke.)
What did people originally believe the “correct” date of April Fool’s was?
The 2nd of May
Which country’s tradition is most similar to France and Switzerland?
Canada
What gave away that the penguin film was a joke?
The name of the filmmaker gave it away (it was an anagram)
Sightful – What is something that could be described as “sightful”?
Sightful = something that is impressive or worth seeing (e.g., The fireworks were very sightful.)
Why is the popularity of April Fool’s Day still strong despite being very old?
Because it’s a showcase of creativity and imagination, and people enjoy jokes/pranks
Why do April Fool’s customs differ slightly between countries?
Because each culture has different customs (though they are similar overall)
Why are media hoaxes especially believable on April 1st?
Because on April 1st people expect something funny or unusual, making fake reports easier to believe
Fleeting – What does it mean when feelings are “fleeting”?
Fleeting = short-lived, lasting a very short time (e.g., She had a fleeting feeling of happiness.)