【明報專訊】April Fools' Day has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures on April 1 every year, even though its origins remain a mystery.

Some historians speculate that April Fools' Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. People who did not recognise that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 continued to celebrate the new year on April 1, and so they became the butt of jokes and hoaxes (惡作劇). These people might have paper fish placed on their backs and be referred to as "poisson d'Avril" (April fish) - a young, easily caught fish, or a gullible (易受騙) person.

Historians have also linked April Fools' Day to ancient festivals such as Hilaria, which was celebrated in Rome at the end of March and involved people dressing up in disguises (假扮). Some believe the Day has its origin in the vernal equinox (春分), the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fools people with changing, unpredictable weather.

April Fools' Day became popular in Britain during the 18th century. In Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event, starting with "hunting the gowk," in which people were sent on phony (假的) errands (任務) (gowk is a word for cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool) and followed by Tailie Day, which involved pranks (胡鬧) played on people's derrieres (臀部), such as pinning fake tails or "kick me" signs on them.

Text provided by HISTORY Channel

(now TV Channel 223)