The infamous April Fools’ Day – year after year, it is a day dedicated entirely to shenanigans, and leaves everybody susceptible to its guaranteed pranks and embarrassments.
How the April Fools’ Day tradition began is a bit of a mystery.
One popular theory of the day’s origin suggests that it happened in the 16th century when the French reformed their calendar.
In 1564, France moved the start of the year from the end of March to January 1, according to infoplease.com.
Those who either did not, by refusal or forgetfulness, make the calendar change continued to recognize the new year between March 25 and April 1.
These people had jokes played on them during this time of the year, and pranksters would stick paper fish to their backs.
The victims to these pranks were called Poisson d’Avril, or April Fish. Today this is the French term for April Fools’.
Pranks have evolved since the 16th century paper fish ploy. Mischief today can come in any form. Even something as simple as a cookie can be used for humiliation to unexpected prey.
“As an April Fools’ joke, I have always wanted to put toothpaste in Oreos and then go hand them out to people,” freshman Stephanie Berg said.
A prank pulled by freshman Taylor Copp was more of a revenge tactic on a thieving roommate.
“It was when I was at (the University of Kansas), and my friend’s roommate would steal stuff from him,” Copp said. “I put toilet water in a kid’s Gatorade bottle. Prior to that, I hid his toothbrush, mouthwash and rinse cups.”
Some students have risked using animals while pulling pranks.
In their high school days, these students viewed it as a funny way to get back at teachers.
“When I was in high school, me and some guys put a greased pig in one of my teacher’s classrooms as a prank,” junior Adam Tebben said. “She ran outside and shouted for somebody to get the pig out of there, then threatened to fail all of us. The principal knew who it was, but he thought it was funny, so we did not get punished.”
Senior Herb Askew has a pig memory from his high school years as well.
“Someone brought three pigs to school and labeled them ‘1, 2 and 4,'” Askew said. “So they found ‘1, 2 and 4,’ but they were looking the rest of the day for No. 3. They even made an announcement on the PA about if we see it, report it.”
April Fools’ Day is supposed to be a day full of mischief and jokes.
However, Marla Potter, secretary to University Minister Ira DeSpain, always has a good laugh whenever April 1 rolls around and she remembers a prank she played.
“My second child was born on April Fools’ Day, when he was due on the 19th,” Potter said. “My water broke early, though, and I thought ‘What a great day to have a baby.’ When I called to tell people, no one believed me. I even had one girlfriend hang up on me. That is what happens, though, when you call people on April Fools’ with news like that.”
