What is an April fool ?

Question

I been called that earlier this year.

Answer 1

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.

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.

Answer 2

Well an April Fool is a prank you pull on someone on April 1 (April Fool's day)...but I've never heard of it used as a name before.

Answer 3

It appears that they were spot on.  

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_fool

Answer 5

Okay, guess it took you 14 weeks to register, ha ha.

This saying goes back to when they changed from the Roman Calendar of Julius Caesar to the Gregorian Calendar, that moved all the main holidays to a different season.

Since the old calendar did not have leap years, the holiday dates were out of sink with where they should be.

>>The origin of April Fool's Day is obscure. Some say it was first celebrated soon after the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar, and referred to someone still adhering to the Julian Calendar which it replaced. In many pre-Christian cultures May Day (May 1) was celebrated as the first day of summer, and signalled the start of the spring planting season. An April Fool was someone who did this prematurely.<<

My reference is below:

Answer 6

I loved hean's answer. I never knew why people celebrate April Fools day.

Basically an April Fool is someone who has been caught in a joke on April 1st.

Answer 7

The but end of a joke ex april fools joke

OR someone born in april

Answer 8

historically speaking the begining of the year was changed from that date, but some people accidentally kept using the old system, hence they were april fools.