Even our little bear isn't immune to having a joke played on him.
History of April Fool's Day
aka All Fool's Day
April Fool's Day is the 1st day in April. It is celebrated in the United States, England, France, Scotland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Germany and Norway. Because the day evolves around whimsy and tomfoolery, the origin of this day varies also.
The custom of shouting "April Fool!" was brought to the United States by English settlers in the early 1600's.
One theory to it's origin goes back to Noah, who is said to have mistakenly sent the dove out to find dry land after the flood began to recede on April 1st. Another has to do with the change in the Gregorian calendar, in which under the old calendar New Year's Day was celebrated around time of the Vernal Equinox in late March. But, because this occasionally coincided with (or came close to) Easter, church officials back then moved New Year's day to April 1st. But, when the Gregorian calendar was officially adopted in 1582, New Years Day changed from April 1 to January 1. Some people forgot about the change, and continued to make their New Year visits on April 1. Otehrs paid mock visits to friends and neighbors shouting "April Fool!" to those who took them seriously.
Some historians believe that the Scottish and French customs of pulling pranks in a way reflect the old ancient feelings of spring and well, sexual license. Blend that in with a smidge of the Druid priest's trying to deceive evil spirits (which seems to always be their priority from how I read this book) so that they won't interfere with fertility during the planting season, the sprouting season and the mating season. Think about it, that's basically ALL year round these Druid priests are trying to fend off evil spirits. Anyway, another theory is that April Fool's Day and pulling pranks started with Lord of Misrule's ceremonies. Appropriately name, he is said to have organized some wild and unruly feasts and masquerades with people dressed up as mythological beasts or some kind of exotic animal as a form of rebellion against the church.
Another theory is of course to blame it on the Romans. This theory states that the Roman festival of "Cerealia" held around the beginning of April, started it. The story is that the goddess Ceres hears the echo of Prosperpina (her daughter) screaming as she's carried off to the lower worlds by Pluto. Ceres then goes in search of her daughter's voice. But Cere's search is a fool's errand for it is impossible to find an echo.
Yet other scholars believe that April Fool's Day began as a part of an original spring Celtic festival. You know the saying, "In spring a young man's thoughts turn to love", well the Druid priests were once again working on fooling evil spirits so they won't interfere with fertility during all this spring mating (whether people, animals or plants). Thus, it was believed that by pulling pranks all ill-doers and evil spirits would get so confused they were null and void. And so the Druid priest's ritual was considered a success!
Another theory relates it to the Hindu festival of Holi (or Huli) which of course is another spring fertility festival done with fire. This festival lasts for 5 days, including a continual outdoor bonfire and dancing. This brings people into an estatic mood. So how does April Fool's fit in? On the LAST day of this festival (which happens to be March 31) people are sent on worthless errands to everyone's amusement.
There are a lot of folk stories in which people are sent on witless missions (or impossible ones). The common thread is that most of this is done in the Spring and is related around love. And, as some scholars say, when it comes to love even the most reasonable people go crazy and conduct themselves in a silly manner when they fall in love. So, April's Fool's Day is often associated with romantic craziness and fooling around.
April Fool's Day was brought to the United States in the 1600's by the English, Scottish and French settlers. It is believed that France helped influence when this day was celebrated because they changed their calendar in 1564 (King Charles IX) which changed the New Year from March 25 to January 1.
April Fools' Day is also called Huntingowk Day or Gowkie Day in Scotland, because an April Fool is called a gowk. In England it's often referred to "All Fools Day" or "April Noddy Day" because in England a fool is referred to as a 'noddy.' But, all of these names originate from the "Feast of Fools" which was a popular medieval festival during which social roles were reversed and rules were deliberately broken. The men would dress up as women, eat and gamble at the altar, burn old leather sandals in the censors and engage in other unthinkable activities normally. The Feast of Fools was really popular in France, where April Fools' Day is widely observed.
Fish
And, no one knows why in France the hoax is an "April Fish" a Poisson d'avril. Those who love to fish say that April has the best fishing. Others say it's because it's during that time that the zodiacal sign of Pisces rules. Today, in France, chocolate fish are sold in candy stores for April Fool's Day. And, friends send one another anonymous postcards (with some silly dialogue) with fish pictures. Other people try to pin a paper fish on someone's back without being caught. This is similiar to the US prank of pinning a paper sign on someone's back saying "Kick me."
Here's a funny story why the Dutch celebrate April Fool's. Spain's King Philip II ruled the Netherlands back in 1572. Rebels opposed to his rule were called "Geuzen" after the a French word (Guex) that meant beggars. Den Briel (a small town on the coast) was seized by the Geuzens on April 1, 1572, beginning a civilian uprising against Spanish rule that spread throughout the Netherlands. Commander of the Spanish army was the Duke of Alba, and was powerless to stop the Geuzens. The Dutch word for glasses is "bril." And, apparently during this uprising, the Duke of Alba lost his glasses. Because the Dutch enjoy this silly mishap, they use it to commemorate April Fool's day.
Not always April 1
In Mexico and Spain, April Fool's Day is on December 28 (called Day of the Holy Innocents). According to their custom, it is very foolish to lend someone anything (especially money) on that because it doesn't have to be returned. Instead, the borrower sends the lender a box of candies with a note that he's been fooled. In Germany and Norway, April Fool's day is celebrated twice:
On April 1 and on April 30.
(Note: Thanks to Devon Amaro for letting me know I did a typo.
I had April 31 above, which doesn't exit. I guess April Fools on me, huh? )
How to do an April Fool's Joke
The most common prank is of course to make someone run a "fool's errand." If not a complete errand, then an unnecessary action, such as checking for an open zipper or missing button. To be a good April Fool prankster, one must have a cool persona and good timing. A good prankster gets his victim as early as possible before he realizes what day it is. Tradition has it that if a prankster waits too late in the day to pull the prank then he is called the April Fool.
It is said that when people pull pranks on one another it is just another way of saying that they care. April Fool's pranks are usually first experienced in one's home with other family members. And, then it will grow to outside social circles of friends, classmates, co-workers etc.
However....please stop and think! Not everyone enjoys being embarrassed. And, if you play a prank on someone that you really do not have an emotional respect for, then do not do it. It can often be viewed as expressing anger, hostility, resentment, bigotry, sexual harassment etc.
April Fool's Phobias
Aphrilophobia is the fear of April Fool's Day. Many of the phobias associated with this day are termed social phobias because they pertain to being embarrassed in public or worse.
Katagelophobia - Fear of Ridicule or Embarrassment
Neophobia - Fear of something new
Scopophobia - Fear of being stared at
Ereuthophobia - Fear of blushing
Mythophobia - Fear of making a false statement
Traumatophobia - Fear of being emotionally wounded or injured
April Fool's phobias range from mild anxiety to full-blown panic attacks, where people will literally refuse to go to work on April 1st. Ironically, it is rumored that talk show hosts actually fear a "no-guest-a-phobia" on April 1. This is a fear of guest canceling out at the last minute.
In closing, don't pull a prank you wouldn't mind having done on yourself. This way everyone will enjoy the day. And, if it doubt, then don't do it. Because hurting someone's feelings is no joke at all.
译文:
愚人节的历史和卡通搞笑的民间传说、恐惧症等
让别人拿自己开个玩笑，即使是我们的小熊也无法免疫。
“愚人节”April Fool's Day（又叫“所有愚人的节日”All Fool's Day）的来历
愚人节是四月的第一天。在美国、英格兰、法国、苏格兰、意大利、西班牙、葡萄牙、瑞典、德国和挪威，人们都会庆祝这个节日。由于这个节日的发展过程中充满了威士忌和无聊的行为，它的由来也是各不相同。
美国人在这一天大喊“四月傻瓜！”的习惯，是由英国移民者在17世纪初期带到美国来的。
关于它的来历，一种说法可以上溯到诺亚，那个传说在四月一日洪水开始消退后，错误地派了鸽子去寻找干燥地面的人。另一种说法则和阳历的改变有关，这种历法按照旧历把新年定在三月末的春分前后。但是，由于有时恰好遇上复活节（或者和复活节挨得很近），教会官员们就将新年改到了四月一日。然而，1582年阳历正式实行时，新年被定为一月一日，而不再是四月一日。有些人不记得这个变化，仍旧继续在四月一日给别人拜年。另一些人和亲友们开玩笑，假意去拜访他们，然后冲那些当真了的人大喊：“四月傻瓜！”
有的历史学家认为，苏格兰人和法国人习惯搞些恶作剧，这在某种程度上反映了有关春天和性许可的原始情感。 这种习惯融合进些许德鲁伊教牧师欺骗魔鬼所付出的努力（从我读的这本书来看这似乎一直是他们的特权），以便他们不会在播种季节、萌芽季节和交配季节影响丰收。想想吧，这就是整个年头德鲁伊牧师们努力与魔鬼抗争所做的最基本的事。不管怎样，还有一种说法，愚人节和恶作剧开始于暴君的欢庆仪式。他的称呼非常恰当，据说他经常组织一些野蛮荒唐的宴会和化妆舞会，参加者穿得像神话里的野兽或来自异域的动物，以表示对教会的反抗．
再有一种说法毫无疑问是对罗马人的谴责．根据这种说法，“愚人节”起源于四月初的罗马节日“农神节”。故事讲的是，农业女神的女儿佩拉斯玻菲娜被普鲁图抓到冥界时发出了尖叫，这叫声久久回响不绝。女神听到了回音，就四处寻找声音的源头。但这种找寻只能是种愚蠢的举动，因为回音是不可能被找到的。
然而其他学者认为，愚人节是作为一种原始的凯尔特人春季节日的一部分而开始的。你知道这句俗语：“年轻人在春天爱意萌动。”而德鲁伊教的牧师们一次又一次去愚弄魔鬼，以便他们不会在这春天的交配活动（无论人类、动物还是植物）中影响丰收。所以，人们相信，恶作剧会让所有魔鬼和坏人感到迷惑，认为他们是空虚无用的。也因此，德鲁伊教牧师们的仪式被认为是一大成功！
另一种说法把愚人节和印度的Holi节（或叫Huli节）联系在一起。当然，Holi节是另一个用火作武器的春天的丰收节。这个节日要持续5天，在这期间野外篝火持续燃烧，舞蹈也跳个不停。这使人们情绪高涨，欣喜若狂。那么愚人节是怎么融进来的呢？在这个节日的最后一天（正好是3月31日），人们被派出去做各种无用的差事，来供大家取乐。
在许多民间故事里，人们被派去完成一些蠢笨的任务（或者是些不可能完成的事）。它们有一个共同点，大部分活动都是在春天进行，并且与爱情有关。并且，正如一些学者所言，当爱情来临时即使是最理智的人也会变得疯狂；当他们陷入爱情，就会用愚蠢的方式做事。因此，愚人节经常同罗曼蒂克式的疯狂和闲混联系在一起。
愚人节是在17世纪由英格兰、苏格兰和法国的移民者带到美国来的。据说法国对于这个节日的庆祝产生过影响。因为他们在1564年（查理四世）改变了历法，将元旦从3月25日换到了1月1日。
在苏格兰，愚人节也被称作“捉杜鹃节”或是“杜鹃节”，因为这里的人们把四月傻瓜叫做“杜鹃鸟”。英格兰人经常把它叫做“所有傻瓜的节日”，或叫“四月海鸟节”，这是因为在英格兰，傻瓜被认为就像只“海鸟”。但是，这些称呼都来自“傻瓜宴会”。这是中世纪一个很受欢迎的节日。在这个节日里，社会角色都被颠覆，规则被故意打破。男人们可以打扮成女人，在圣坛吃东西和赌博，在检查室里点燃旧的皮凉鞋，并正常参与到其他让人无法想象的活动中。实际上，傻瓜宴会在法国这个愚人节被广泛庆祝的国家里大受欢迎。
鱼
并且，没有人知道为什么在法国恶作剧会是一条“四月的鱼”（Poisson d'avril）。据那些喜欢鱼的人说，四月是钓鱼的最好时节。另一些人说，因为那时正处在占星学中的双鱼宫。如今在法国，为了庆祝愚人节，糖果店里会出售各种巧克力鱼。而且，朋友们会互相匿名赠送印有鱼的图片的明信片，上面写着一些愚蠢的对话。另一些人试图用大头针将纸做的鱼别在某些人的背上而不被发现。这和美国人的一种恶作剧有点类似。美国人是把一张纸条别在别人背上，上面写着：“踢我一脚。”
这里有个很有趣的故事，说的是为什么荷兰人要庆祝愚人节。早在1572年，西班牙国王腓力普二世就统治了荷兰。反抗他统治的起义活动被叫做“Geuzen”，这个词是由法语词“Guex”变化而来，意思是“乞丐”。1572年4月1日，Geuzen（乞丐）们占领了丹·布瑞尔（海边的一个小镇），由此爆发了遍及荷兰的反抗西班牙统治的文明起义运动。当时的西班牙军队指挥官是阿尔巴公爵，他没有能力制止乞丐们的行动。荷兰语中把眼镜叫做“bril”。显然在这次起义中，阿尔巴公爵丢失了他的眼镜。因为荷兰人很喜欢这个愚蠢的灾难，他们就用它来纪念愚人节。
愚人节不总是4月1日
在墨西哥和西班牙，愚人节是在12月28日（叫做婴儿殉教日）。根据他们的习惯，在那天借给别人东西（尤其是钱）是很愚蠢的，因为东西不一定要归还。相反，借东西的人会送借给他的人一盒蜡烛和一张字条，写着他被戏弄了。在德国和挪威，愚人节会被庆祝两次：
一次是在4月1日，另一次是在4月30日。
（注意：谢谢戴文·阿玛洛让我知道了我出的一个小错误。
我之前打的是4月31号，那一天是不存在的。我想我成了四月傻瓜了，是吗？）
怎样在愚人节开玩笑
最常见的捉弄人的方式当然是让别人跑去做些“愚人差事”。如果不是完整的事情，就做些没必要的事儿，比如检查一下拉开的拉链儿或找找丢掉的扣子。要做一个好的愚人捉弄者，你必须要有一个很棒的角色，并且要把握好时间。好的捉弄者会在他的受害人意识到今天是什么日子之前尽可能早地搞定他。传统习惯是，如果一个搞恶作剧的人在这天去捉弄别人的时间太晚，他就会被叫做“四月愚人”。
据说人们彼此捉弄的行为只是他们用来表达关爱的另一种方式。愚人节的恶作剧通常首先出现在家里，一个家庭的不同成员之间。并且，很快蔓延到家庭之外的社会圈子，朋友啊，同学啊，同事啊等等。
但是...请停下来想一想！不是每个人都喜欢尴尬。而且，如果你要捉弄一个你确实在感情上不觉得尊重的人，那么就不要做了。你的捉弄经常会被当作是在表示愤怒、敌意、怨恨、固执、性骚扰等等。
愚人节恐惧症
愚人节恐惧症是指对愚人节的恐惧。很多与这一天相关联的恐惧症被定义为社交恐惧，因为他们表现为在大庭广众下感到难堪，或者更糟。
嘲笑恐怖--惧怕嘲弄或窘迫的事
恐新症--惧怕新生事物
被视恐怖--害怕被人盯着看
赧颜恐怖--害怕脸红
失言恐怖--害怕表述错误
恐伤症--害怕情感受到伤害
愚人节恐惧症涉及的范围从轻微的焦虑症到深度的恐慌攻击症全都包括，那些地方的人们会完全拒绝在4月1日继续上班。讽刺的是，有传言说脱口秀的主持人们竟然害怕患上4月1日的一种“无嘉宾恐惧症”。这种症状表现为害怕观众在最后一刻取消约定。
最后，不要搞一个你不介意在自己身上实施的恶作剧。那会让每个人玩得很痛快。而如果有疑问，就不要那样做。因为伤害某些人的感情一点都不好笑。