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 April 1 is popularly known around the world as April Fools Day or All Fools' Day. It’s a time when jokers and hoaxers trick their friends and loved ones with some tomfoolery. Here at chinadaily.com.cn we like to have a sense of humor. So in the spirit of fun, here we bring you the best of April Fools Day in our special coverage. |
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April Fool's Day is celebrated in different countries around the world on the April 1 of every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day, April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of jokes and foolishness. The day is marked by the commission of good humoured or funny jokes, hoaxes, and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, teachers, neighbors, work associates, etc. [wikipedia.org] |
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Decimal time: Repeated several times in various countries, this hoax involves claiming that the time system will be changed to one in which units of time are based on powers of 10. Write-only memory: Signetics advertised write-only memory (WOM) IC databooks in 1972 through the late 1970s. Taco Liberty Bell: In 1996, Taco Bell took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times announcing that they had purchased the Liberty Bell to "reduce the country's debt" and renamed it the "Taco Liberty Bell". When asked about the sale, White House press secretary Mike McCurry replied tongue-in-cheek that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold and would henceforth be known as the Lincoln Mercury Memorial. Left-handed Whoppers: In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side. Not only did customers order the new burgers, but some specifically requested the "old", right-handed burger. Apple buys the Beatles: In 2010, Bob Lefsetz released an April Fools' Day letter which had rumours circulating around the music industry. In 1983, Australian millionaire businessman Dick Smith claimed to have towed an iceberg from Antarctica to Sydney Harbour. He used a barge covered with white plastic and fire extinguisher foam to convince witnesses. [wikipedia.org] |
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Ten of the best April Fool's Day hoaxes: US museumThe San Diego-based Museum of Hoaxes has pulled off ten of the best media pranks on the April Fool's Day for their notority, absurdity, and number of people duped. April Fools' jokes poke fun at royal wedding Britain's royal wedding is off! Oh no it's not, it's an April Fools' joke. The big royal occasion later this month was the top target for traditional April 1 pranks in the press on Friday, including bride-to-be Kate Middleton shopping for baby clothes and the left-leaning Guardian joining the pro-monarchy bandwagon. |
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April Fool's Day noted online with spoof redesigns The online world got an April Fool's Day makeover as YouTube rolled out 1911 viral videos and Google struck again. Lighthearted pranks are an annual Web tradition on April Fools' Day. Ukraine celebrates April Fool's Day with humor festivals Large festivals dedicated to April Fool's Day were held in the Ukrainian cities on Friday. April 1 is a day of humor in Ukraine. |
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Tread carefully at work It's a fine line between having some lighthearted fun, and putting your career in actual jeopardy. “A good rule of thumb is to avoid any comments or conduct at work that you would not be comfortable saying or doing in church or court,” advises attorney Eric J. Holshouser, of Florida law firm Fowler White Boggs. "And I can tell you from experience that some jokes are a whole lot less funny when told in federal court." | |
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A few tips on handling office gags the right way Pulling a brilliant prank on your boss, the one person with the authority to call security and have you booted from the premises? Not a wise idea. Similarly, picking on a poor intern could seem mean-spirited and in bad taste. Best to joke around with someone of your own rank. |
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Watch out, the fools are about No one knows the specific origin behind April Fools' Day or why Western countries for hundreds of years have celebrated each April 1 with practical jokes and hoaxes. One thing is for sure: it's a day to keep your wits about you. | |
