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What is the Origin of April Fools’ Day? Unveiling the History and Significance of This Light-Hearted Tradition

April Fool's Day is an annual tradition in Western countries, a day when people can tell white lies without offending others. But have you ever wondered why this fun day is called 'April Fish' in Vietnamese? Let's explore the curious case of this unique cultural twist!

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14 July, 2024

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For many years now, April Fools’ Day (also known as April 1st, or Lie Day, Joke Day, etc.) has become an unofficial holiday in Vietnam. On this day, people are free to lie, tease their friends, family, colleagues, lovers, etc., without fear of getting angry.

This movement originated in Western countries and spread to Vietnam many years ago. Surely, for mischievous and humorous people, this is a holiday that cannot be missed.

However, have you ever wondered why this name is called April Fools’ Day in Vietnam? Let’s find out in this article!

1Learn about April Fools’ Day

When is April Fools’ Day? What day is it?

April Fools’ Day takes place on April 1st every year. In 2024, April Fools’ Day will be on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Where did April Fools’ Day originate?

April Fools’ Day originated in European countries such as France, Spain, Germany, etc., around the 5th century, and it became an indispensable tradition for the people of this country.

Origin and meaning of April Fools’ Day

In France, Italy, Belgium, and other French-speaking countries, the prank day is called Poisson d’avril in French or Pesce d’aprile in Italian, meaning April Fish.

This name comes from a prank in which the prankster must try to secretly stick a paper fish on the victim’s back without being noticed. And the name April Fools also comes from that.

The prankster must try to secretly stick a paper fish on the victim’s back

Images of such fish were also prominent on many postcards in France in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Image of the fish on a French postcard

In addition, we can also understand that when you lie, you are “baiting”, and those who believe your lie are considered “the fish that bite.” It’s also very reasonable, isn’t it!

How does the world celebrate April Fools’ Day?

On this day, people will tell each other jokes and lies that the other person cannot get angry or upset about.

In some countries, there will be a specified time for pranks on this day. Usually, people are only allowed to lie until noon, and if they lie after noon, it is considered unlucky.

In England, people call those who are fooled on April 1st “April Fool”, and in France, they are called Poissons D’Avirl.

In Mexico, Lie Day is on December 28th, and in Scotland, there are two April Fools’ Days.

2Classic April Fools’ Day Jokes

“Pretend to invite your friends and colleagues to dinner.”
“Honey, you forgot to zip your pants.”
“Come down and open the door for me, I’m standing in front of your house!”…
“I’ll come and pick you up, let’s go to the park! …”
“Announcing the good news of “2 bars” to that person. …”
“Sorry, I’m gay.”
Someone is looking for you downstairs
Admit your mistake to your parents
Confess to your crush
“A recent study shows that
Only fools use their thumbs when reading text messages
See, now it’s too late,
You can’t change your finger!
Go find some other fools”

Classic April Fools’ Day Jokes

“You are very important to me
I can’t do without you even for a second
You are my life, and I feel you every minute
But wait! I’m talking about oxygen.”
“I am the most handsome man in the world
I am the smartest person in the world
I am also the most knowledgeable person in the world
And you are the one who is spreading these rumors everywhere”
“Someone…
Missing you…
Need you…
Worried about you…
Lonely without you…
Do you know who it is?
It’s the hairy monkey in the zoo…”
“Today, tomorrow, and forever
There will be a heart
Always worried about you.
Do you know whose heart it is?
It’s your foolishness”
“Feeling sad?
Do you wonder what to do?
Too simple. Just pull down the zipper….
Then put your hand in the middle of the zipper….
Then grab…
The book in your pocket and STUDY!!!”
“If you feel your life is drowning in darkness
Pray to God to free you from the darkness
But if you still feel yourself immersed in pitch black
Then please pay your electricity bill last month!”

“Always keep a picture of your lover in your wallet
Whenever you have trouble, look at that picture
You will see that the trouble you are facing is just a trifle!”
“Since I met you
I realized that a good friend like you
Worth millions of dollars…
So, if you don’t mind…
Can I sell you?”
“If I make you sad
Stand in front of the mirror and say
“Wow, I’m so handsome”
All your sadness will go away
But don’t do it often
Because all liars go to hell!”

3April Fools’ Day Statuses

Can I smile a little? Your coffee forgot to add sugar.
I have a superpower, which is to super like you. Whether you are white gold or black gold, in my eyes, there is only you.
They like to listen to music for the lyrics. But I just like to listen to a lifetime with you.
Everyone likes milk tea. But I just like to sneak into your heart.
I was not born to live hard. But to be married to you later.
Don’t chase the bus anymore, chase me instead. I run slowly, and I’m cute too.
Guess what day it is today?
It’s April Fools’ Day. So am I going to lie to you?
No, I’m telling the truth. I like you!
Today I was going to tell you everything, but… I was going to say “I like you”, but I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me because today is April Fools’ Day.
Every day I make up stories to tease you, but today I will break the rule, I will tell you the truth that I want to be your girlfriend.
Why do we need April Fools’ Day when every day people lie to me? Like you, every day you say you don’t like me.
Next year, April 1st will no longer be April Fools’ Day! Because if you agree, next year on this day will be the first anniversary of our relationship!
Why smoke grass when you can smoke my soul.
Saigon is most beautiful at night. My life is most beautiful when I have you.
If you want to catch a tiger, go to the zoo. If you want to find shelter, come to my heart.

April Fools’ Day Statuses

The joy of April Fools’ Day is like that, among thousands of April Fools’ Day jokes, there is still someone who tells you the truth… Among 7 billion people, finding you is already lucky, being loved is already lucky ten thousand times.
The clearest proof that “You’re single” is that even after April Fools’ Day, no one bothers to text you.
Why do we need April Fools’ Day when my whole life is a joke.
To me, April Fools’ Day is like any other day. I may have many April Fools’ Days for many people, but for you, there will be no April Fools’ Day. Because I’m too stupid to just love and want to do everything for real for that person.
Hey guys, it’s best not to listen to stupid advice like confessing your love on April Fools’ Day so that if the other person rejects you, you can say it’s a joke. You have to think about the possibility that if the other person says “Yes”, how can you know if they are serious or joking!
I just want to tell you the truth. Even on April Fools’ Day. I just want to tell the truth. With all my heart… But I guess you won’t believe me, so never mind!
On April Fools’ Day, there are people like me who still don’t dare to express their feelings to the person they love. Because if I am rejected, I don’t have the courage to pretend that loving that person is just a lie…
We lie to each other all the time, so we don’t need another day to lie.
On April Fools’ Day, I sent 100 messages saying “I love you”, received 99 mocking messages, and 1 message saying “Mom loves you too.”
If no one confesses their love to you on April Fools’ Day, then congratulations, you have made it to the top of the “no one wants” list.
If I were April Fools’ Day… I would be very self-conscious. Like a teenage girl who still receives letters and flowers from boys under her desk, suddenly realizing that she is ugly and old, and turning around, no one is standing around anymore.
Love, after all, is just an April Fools’ Day joke, but not just for one day, but for a lifetime,…. Love? Never mind! I can’t take the lies…
On April Fools’ Day, I lied to the world that I like him. The only problem is that I don’t even have the courage to lie to him in person.
For others, April 1st is just April Fools’ Day, but for someone, it is a memorable day, what we call an anniversary, what we call youth, what is truly memorable.
I’m always contradictory like that. Even though the memory is not beautiful, even though thinking about it still hurts me, even though I tell myself to forget it, letting go is never easy.
They lied to each other for 364 days, but they chose this Lie Day to tell the truth.
All relationships are good until the thought of possessing the other person comes up. So to reduce the risk, April Fools’ Day was created. Ahaha.
April is the time to speak the truth! The first rain of the season welcomes a happy heart like a foolish child crying for the first time… Let it rain, let the old worries wash away… Tomorrow will be a bright and sunny new day…. Let me fill my life with bright and colorful colors!
The only way to end a one-sided love is to confess on April Fools’ Day.
Don’t believe everything you hear and only believe half of what you see.
Today is April Fools’ Day, but I want to tell you the truth that I gave my heart to someone else…
Waiting is not scary, what’s scary is not knowing how long to wait. Sincerity or sincerity also has legs, waiting for someone to wait too long… But in my heart, I still want to wait, maybe “the sun will shine after the rain.”
People say that if no one confesses their love to you on April Fools’ Day, then you have made it to the top of the “no one wants” list.

Frequently asked questions

April Fools’ Day is an annual tradition celebrated on April 1st, where people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other. It is often a light-hearted and fun occasion for people to showcase their creativity and sense of humor.

The origin of April Fools’ Day is still debated, but many theories trace it back to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century. One popular theory suggests that it stemmed from the French New Year celebrations, which used to take place in late March to early April, where people exchanged humorous gifts and pranks.

The shift to the Gregorian calendar moved New Year celebrations to January 1st, and those who continued to celebrate in April were considered ‘fools’. Over time, this evolved into a day dedicated to playing harmless pranks and practical jokes.

April Fools’ Day is celebrated in various ways around the world. People play jokes on their friends, family, and even strangers, often involving elaborate hoaxes or practical jokes. Media organizations also join in on the fun, publishing humorous or fictional stories as pranks.

April Fools’ Day serves as a light-hearted tradition that brings people together and encourages laughter and creativity. It is a day to let go of inhibitions and embrace the fun and humor in life.