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Archive 1Archive 2

Spaghetti trees

"Spaghetti trees: The BBC television programme Panorama ran a famous hoax in 1957, showing Italians harvesting spaghetti from trees." The hoax obviously shows Swiss people harvesting spaghetti crops. Ticino is a swiss canton, this is also mentioned in the listed link to the BBC. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.213.43.253 (talk) 20:24, 6 April 2010 (UTC)

Fifty years ago, most British people did not know much about Italian food like spaghetti. Some people say that it was many years before they found out that spaghetti does not really grow on trees. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Patdop (talk • contribs) 11:38, 15 March 2011 (UTC)

Canada

In Canada I'd always heard it was only until noon. I'm here now, born here, grew up here. At school we were always told it stopped at noon. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.180.218.83 (talk) 02:50, 15 November 2010 (UTC)

That used to be in the article (that Canada and some other countries stop at noon) but that's now been removed? I'm an American living in Canada, and I was so confused when people thought my prank was real because it was after noon. I said, "Huh? After noon?" It differs by country and it should be in the article. --66.119.170.242 (talk) 16:16, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

It's well established that the people who want April Fool's day to end at noon are cranky and hate April Fool's day. It's not called "April Fool's Morn'". Many pranksters don't even get up before noon. I think it should be removed. I especially disagree with the claim that if you prank someone after noon then you become the 'fool'. If an elaborated prank is pulled, regardless of what time on April 1st, the prankee is the fool. I can't see how this is inverted. ~ —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.102.81.73 (talk) 22:27, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Where I live in Canada it is also well established that the jokes end at noon. If you can't get up before that you miss out. NevarMaor (talk) 15:46, 16 April 2011 (UTC)

The jokes don't end at noon in Canada. I live in Canada and I know they end at midnight. But keep in mind, it only changed recently. My mother says she used to end the jokes at noon, but now that so-called tradition is obsolete. No one I know continues it. Whoever still says they end at noon here has probably never been to Canada, or doesn't keep with the times. 24.69.84.86 (talk) 14:27, 10 October 2011 (UTC)

Afraid "no one I know does this" isn't enough of a source for Wikipedia, and two other editors in this talk thread mention living in Canada where the jokes end at noon. If it's a generational thing and nobody uses the noon thing any more, it shouldn't be hard to find an example from the Canadian press that mentions it - feel free to provide a source if you can find one. --McGeddon (talk) 14:33, 10 October 2011 (UTC)

THE JOKES DON'T END AT NOON IN CANADA! I live in Canada and have always pulled pranks all day. So does everyone I know. Whoever says the jokes end at noon has probably never been to Canada. Please, PLEASE, PLEASE stop saying they end at noon because it's not true. It's just a stereotype about Canada. Sonicthemeatball (talk) 02:04, 22 October 2011 (UTC)

as you've been told before, give a source, put it in, done. Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 > haneʼ 02:12, 22 October 2011 (UTC)
I've restored the rest of this thread (where two editors who live in Canada say that you are wrong), which you chose to delete when you posted your comment. --McGeddon (talk) 12:42, 22 October 2011 (UTC)

April Fool's 2011

When does this article get protected this year? 71.191.106.65 (talk) 23:23, 21 February 2011 (UTC)

TenPoundHammmer's edits removed entirely relevant information, namely the various examples of April Fool's pranks and well known instances of the April Fools tradition. Almost feels like an April Fools joke itself. The article should be reverted, or the information made available in another article. "(→Real news on April Fools' Day: redundant to april 1 article)" and "(→Well-known pranks: also, screw it)" were also unprofessional notes on the reasoning behind the edits. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rolandar (talk • contribs) 05:56, 3 April 2011 (UTC)

Fool's or Fools'

While the page is titled "April Fools' Day", there are several instances on the page where it is referred to as "April Fool's Day". Which is correct? --SnorlaxMonster 12:44, 14 March 2011 (UTC)

I would argue that the title of the article should be changed. According to Google's NGRAM viewer, April Fool's Day has always been a more common usage than April Fools' Day, throughout the 100+ years that the expression has been widely used.Jbening (talk) 12:16, 29 March 2011 (UTC)

Islamic view

Where is the Islamic view of April Fools' Day? αυρδεκ ζαφυρ 09:57, 28 March 2011 (UTC)

April 1st or May 2?

"...is set 'Syn March bigan thritty dayes and two.[3] Chaucer probably meant 32 days after March, i.e. May 2'..."

I would have to disagree with this statement. "32 days since March began" would in fact be April 1. Danwaggoner (talk) 15:36, 31 March 2011 (UTC)
Chaucer scholars disagree. He was sponsored by the king to promote the May 2 engagement date. There are several references to this date in various stories. "almost every modern edition of Chaucer has gone against the authority of all extant manuscripts and rewritten the phrase "Syn March bigan" as "Syn March was 'gon'".[1] Perhaps the copyist who altered this passage can be considered the first April Fool's prankster -- and possibly cost Chaucer some of his sponsorship. Kauffner (talk) 12:53, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from 86.27.72.233, 1 April 2011

Youtube 2011 April Fools: It's called "Youtube 1911", and all it does is make the thumbnails for all videos sepiatone and adds vaudeville music replacing the original audio.

86.27.72.233 (talk) 01:20, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. — Bility (talk) 03:23, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

WTF ?!?

Revert this --79.118.35.225 (talk) 06:14, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

April 31st

Hahaha, hahaha, LMAO!

Changing April fools day to April 1st to April 31st, on 1 April 2011, you merry pranksters! How kooky and clever...

April Fools!!!

It may be the weakest attempt at humor ever recorded on the internet. (unencyclopedia excluded of course)

66.108.243.166 (talk) 06:44, 1 April 2011 (UTC)Moi

Edit request from 24.20.213.133, 1 April 2011

In France, it is said that until 1564, the year began on the 1st of April (possibly due to the beginning of spring). That year, king Charles IX of France decided to modify the calendar, so that thereafter the year would begin on the 1st of January. When January 1st 1565 came, everyone celebrated by wishing each other a Happy New Year with presents, kisses and the usual things that accompanied the new year's day. Only, when the 1st of April arrived that same year, some had the idea of still celebrating the day by giving presents, but of a more humorous or mischievous nature, possibly to continue the tradition of celebrating that day. Thus, was born April Fools, or "Poisson d'avril", as it is known in France. Hkundalini (talk) 07:22, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. Stickee (talk) 08:15, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

This theory is already covered in the article, although there are some obvious problems with it. The phrase poisson d’avril is first recorded in 1508, before the calendar change. Nobody ever began the year on April 1, but in Medieval times many towns did celebrate on March 25. If they were still celebrating on April 1, that would imply a full week of celebrating. Some towns might have done this, but there is no reason to think it was common. Kauffner (talk) 13:59, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Iran Republic Day

"In 1979, Iran declared April 1 its national Republic Day. Thirty-one years on, this continues to be mistaken for a joke.[77]"
I have three suggestions for this part. The first is that Thirty-one be changed to Thirty-two, because Thirty-two years after 1979 is 2011. I don't know if it is bad addition or needs to be updated from last year. I guess it could instead read, "More than thirty" so it would not have to be changed as often. The second suggestion is that the "years on" be changed to "years later". This is so that it is more grammatically correct, and sounds better. The last suggestion is that the cite note be moved to right after the first sentence, like this, "...national Republic Day.[77] Thirty-...". I skimmed the CIA site that was cited and I don't think that the joke part was mentioned. ~cyalknight@gmail.com —Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.134.215.125 (talk) 11:33, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Edit request - intro

Unsubstantiated claim: Traditionally, in some countries such as New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, Australia, and South Africa, the jokes only last until noon, and someone who plays a trick after noon is called an "April Fool".[1] The site (hardly a reputable source) makes no mention of the claim [2]. 87.209.183.151 (talk) 13:07, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

 Done Kauffner (talk) 13:27, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

I can say from my story that this is true. Not sure how it needs to be supported by research, but all Canadians I talk to say April Fools ends at noon, whereas in the U.S., I had never heard that. Put the above back in and just say it needs a citation. Otherwise, there's no evidence that it's false, and it's useful for sorting out confusion with Canadians. --66.119.170.242 (talk) 16:17, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

The argument that April Fool's day ends at noon is anti-prank propaganda spread by the Canadian school system. Until Parliament passes a bill changing the name of April Fool's Day to April Fool's Morning or April Fools (Half) Day, it is a full day event. Some pranks take a long time, and sometimes pranksters have to work in the morning and can't pull off pranks until the evening. I think that it should be into account the interests at play in this 'before noon' claim. Notice how it is always "teachers" who inform students of this rule. I will try to find some more information to create a "Disputed 'Before Noon' Canadian April Fool's Day" section. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.102.81.73 (talk) 18:06, 2 April 2011 (UTC)

I would like to add the following to the April Fools' Day page: Hotheaded Naked Ice Borers

In the April 1995 issue of Discover magazine, an article announced that wildlife biologist Dr. Aprile Pazzo was doing research in Antarctica when she discovered a fascinating new species she dubbed “hotheaded naked ice borers.” This odd little creature had a bony plate on top of its head that would become extremely hot and allow these little buggers to plow through the ice making tunnels at very high rates of speed.

Problem is, not only does the creature not exist, but Dr. Aprile Pazzo herself was a concoction from the creative minds at Discover. Her name is actually Italian for April Fools. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dianajlane (talk • contribs) 15:50, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Please replace the section on fooling finishing at mid day it is verifiable. I have a reliable source and would like it put back, but do not want to be accused of starting an edit war. "The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren", Iona and Peter Opie, OUP, 1959. pp246/247 in the 1967 paperback edition. There are various rhymes given as a response to those who try fooling after mid day, eg. "April Fool's Day's past and gone, You're the fool for making one."

The information on Huntigowk in Scotland can also use this same book and page as a citation. MidlandLinda (talk) 22:46, 3 April 2011 (UTC)

Edit request - to add to By websites

On April 1, 2011, The entire Conquer Club website and game interface was translated into the Swedish Chef language (Bork, bork, bork!) 65.92.21.32 (talk) 17:56, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Not done for now: can you provide evidence that that particular prank is especially notable? I don't think we can include every single website that has done a prank this year. Monty845 18:07, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Afernoon

How come this article doesn't mention the thing that performing tricks is only to be done on the morning and if you do it in the afternoon you're then the fool? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 2.121.231.109 (talk) 18:14, 1 April 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Darren-darrenevans, 2 April 2011

In April of 2009, the Guardian newspaper announced it would immediately begin disseminating all information via Twitter DARREN EVANS 06:10, 2 April 2011 (UTC)

Not done: Not every April Fools joke warrants a mention in the article. —C.Fred (talk) 06:18, 2 April 2011 (UTC)

Example section

What defines "well known"? We have eleventy bazillion examples here, and it's been tagged as examplefarm for 11 months. This desperately needs paring down if not outright removal. Ten Pound Hammer, his otters and a clue-bat • (Otters want attention) 20:23, 2 April 2011 (UTC)

  • Shitcan it. It doesn't matter how long its been there, it needs to go. Example farms just grow more and more esoteric examples; and they don't necessarily add much to the understanding of the subject. If we could pare it down to 3-4, we would do so. Unfortunately, 4 becomes 5, because if YOUR favorite example is there, then mine can be too, then 5 becomes 6, and 6 becomes 150 before you know it. Just flush it all; as a secondary choice or a compromise we could farm it out to "list of April Fools Day pranks", but that only pushes the problem somewhere else and doesn't solve it. Getting rid of it entirely sournds like a clear case of addition by subtraction; the article becomes of higher quality when we reduce the quantity of text of marginal relevence. --Jayron32 20:42, 2 April 2011 (UTC)
Pairing it down is fine, but complete removal of everything was just silly. (Not that Tenpoundhammer doesn't have a good argument). Perhaps the fact that there are so many examples IS the joke.JOJ Hutton 21:17, 2 April 2011 (UTC)
  • If we really need the examples somewhere, I agree with the Jayron32's secondary suggestion that a "List of" article would be better. In this article it just overwhelms the actual content. Kcowolf (talk) 22:12, 2 April 2011 (UTC)
There are way too many of them, but some examples are needed. Picking out the most highly publicized or funniest incidents is the obvious solution, but of course this is arbitrary. Yes, it will grow. And it will need to be paired again. But that is the nature of Wiki. The section "Real news on April Fools' Day" has nothing to do with the holiday and needs to go. Kauffner (talk) 22:28, 2 April 2011 (UTC)
Seriously, that was the perfect example of an example farm. Most of those examples added nothing to the article. However, I would support keeping a couple of the better-documented examples if they could somehow be worked into the text of the article. If, on the other hand, they cannot, then ditch all the examples.
Moving the sourced examples to another article called List of April Fool's Day jokes might be a good idea, especially if the inclusion criteria of the list were to state that "only high-profile jokes are recorded here". (In any event, the lesser-known ones probably would not have sufficient reliable sources.) Reaper Eternal (talk) 10:46, 3 April 2011 (UTC)
I agree that a List of April Fool's Day jokes is the way to go. Who wants to get the ball rolling in creating that article? A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 14:30, 3 April 2011 (UTC)
Just move it. Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 > haneʼ 14:31, 3 April 2011 (UTC)
Much of what was removed was notable enough to have entire articles written about them. True that there was quite a bit, but simply lumping all of it together as a reason for removal seems unwarranted.--JOJ Hutton 14:42, 3 April 2011 (UTC)

OK, I created List of April Fool's Day jokes. A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 14:51, 3 April 2011 (UTC)

  • Comment - So the real April Fools joke is that the solution to a section in an article that appears to be an "example farm", is to create a completely new article with the same objectionable subject matter. That sounds like a wikipedia solution to me :).--JOJ Hutton 18:40, 3 April 2011 (UTC)

Date formats for this article

User:RiggsX has twice (over three edits) changed the format for dates in this article from "Month Day" to "Day Month". The first time he/she was reverted [3]. I reverted the second time [4]. Per WP:BRD, I've asked him/her to gain consensus on the change here before making it. The earliest versions of the article used "Month Day" format, and per WP:MOSNUM this should only be changed if there are "strong nationalist ties to a topic". As far as I can tell, this user's only edits are to change the date formats in articles, so if he/she continues without discussing, I would consider that disruptive and ask for administrator intervention. Kcowolf (talk) 00:00, 4 July 2011 (UTC)

Notified RiggsX about this discussion. Kcowolf (talk) 00:06, 4 July 2011 (UTC)


I don't want to get into an edit war with Sonicthemeatball over jokes end at noon, but

As far as I can tell I have provided the only valid citation for April Fools jokes ceasing at noon (The Lore and Language of School Children, Iona & Peter Opie, OUP, 1959) This source also has jokes ending at noon in the US, which this page has always given as one of the countries where it continues all day. As I have stated I do not want to get into an edit war and so will not be the one making the change.

I have some sympathy for Sonicthemeatball's beliefs that jokes continue all day (though not his fanaticism in protesting them) I think the tradition has changed in recent years with the advent of media involvement but there is no evidence beyond anecdote and personal belief and that is the big sticking point. MidlandLinda (talk) 17:54, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

Does the Opie source mention any of the countries in the lede, or just the UK and the USA? I've had a look around for other sources, but haven't found anything very reliable, and it mostly just mentions "some countries" without naming them. Perhaps that's the direction we should take with this article, if the only source we have is 50 years old and possibly obsolete in some respects. It'd be good to sort this out by the end of the month... --McGeddon (talk) 15:56, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

The Opie source is not definitive. Perhaps it's useful for historical information. The book's methodology was to interview children, in the 1950s. One 9 year old child said that at 4 pm on April 1, "kissing time" starts. I suggest taking out the list of countries, because we do not have up-to-date sources on that. And just mention the Opie source, later in the article, noting that it reflects interviews with children in the 1950s. See also WP:WEIGHT. Logical Cowboy (talk) 16:15, 19 March 2012 (UTC)
The Opies used the methodology of folklorist across the world and taking all four volumes of children's games and sayings together they form a pretty definitive corpus. However as I said above, I do think the tradition has changed in more recent years and the Opies are restricted to the time and geographical spread of their research. We need more than anecdote and personal belief for evidence, can anyone find anything in the on-line newspaper archives perhaps. MidlandLinda (talk) 22:03, 19 March 2012 (UTC)
Perhaps the note should mention the context of their research, rather than making it as a flat assertion with it as a supporting ref. Something along the lines of "research into common folklore conducted by Such and Such in the 1950s found that-" etc. I'm not sure one ref from the 1950s is enough for what appears to be a broad assertion in the article.Number36 (talk) 02:04, 28 March 2012 (UTC)
Hm, it appears to have been removed completely from the article now, I'm sure that's appropriate, it was sourced after all. Just the assertion may have been a bit to broad from the contents of the reference. Something about the 12 o'clock rule should be in the article, though only with due weight, considering it was only one reference unless anything further can be found.Number36 (talk) 03:28, 3 April 2012 (UTC)
It's irritating that their research continued into the 90s (the last book of the set "Children's Games with Things" includes POGS) but the earlier books have not been up-dated. They do say on page 233, in the New Year's Day entry that all customs cease at midday, giving as examples New Year, Ash Wednesday, April Fool, May Day and Royal Oak Day. They also point out that Carrying ash twigs on Ash Wednesday seems to have ceased in the 30s, and carrying oak apples on Royal Oak Day had almost disappeared in the 50s.MidlandLinda (talk) 15:11, 3 April 2012 (UTC)
Whoops, I meant to say 'I'm not sure that's appropriate' above. If it is re-added it should probably include the context of the research rather than being a flat assertion which might suggest it is current or recent information, and applies universally in those countries it mentioned.Number36 (talk) 21:16, 3 April 2012 (UTC)
How about something along the lines of "Historically, in the UK and those countries whose traditions derived from there, the joking ceased at midday. But this practice appears to have lapsed in more recent years." With the citation inserted at the end of the first sentence and the whole item put at the end of the Origins section.MidlandLinda (talk) 12:21, 4 April 2012 (UTC)
That's good, but maybe a more specific note attached to give it context/due weight, something along the lines 'A study in the 1950s by folklorists Iona and Peter Opie, found that in the UK and other countries whose..." etc. (Just as an example).Number36 (talk) 13:26, 4 April 2012 (UTC)
OK, let's go with that and see what happens.MidlandLinda (talk) 14:27, 4 April 2012 (UTC)
I've now got a copy of the Opie's book, and it seems that the section on April Fools' Day referenced refers only to British examples (there's one footnote that mentions a particular trick is from Aberdeen and Birmingham, and is also a familiar trick in New Zealand but it references another book called Western Folklore to support that), and makes no explicit claims about other countries or research involving other countries relating to this specific subject. It does assert that the rule is rigid and everywhere acknowledged, but it doesn't define precisely what the context of that is. The section itself however is within the chapter 'Children's Calendar', which states at the start it's regarding "living calendar celebrations in Britain'". So within that context I'd assume it meant everywhere in Britain unless otherwise stated.Number36 (talk) 05:06, 11 September 2014 (UTC)


Exception for 1 April

On 1 April and 1 April only, we should allow almost any kind of silly edit in this article. Before the end of 1 April, it should be restored to the serious version. However, no other article should be allowed to be messed with as an April Fools' joke. Auchansa (talk) 03:53, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

There are many things, so I hope you need to discuss before making such edits.
Shriram (talk) 04:00, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

You may undo my edit. In fact, I am bothered that it is still there because I generally act very responsibly. Auchansa (talk) 04:08, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

After a few minutes, not even 5, I undid my own edit. I have no sense of humor, just a sense of responsibility.  :( Auchansa (talk) 03:53, 2 April 2012 (UTC)
I am nt sure about undoing it, someother user will have a look. This may be useful for users like you! Wikipedia April Fools' Day 2012. Have a look. Shriram (talk) 13:35, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

In my defense, I find April Fool's Day childish and immature because several people are too old to be playing pranks on each other. (I know that for a fact.) Likely Ally (talk) 14:39, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

How can you know that for a fact, "too old to be playing pranks on each other" is a personal judgment. Even people who agree with you on the sentiment could differ wildly on their opinions as to how old is too old. I (and many others) would counter that you are never too old to have a little fun. Remember, growing older is required, growing up is optional. --Khajidha (talk) 18:59, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

Insipid pranks EL

70.66.196.240 insists on adding this EL to the article. In my opinion, it does not belong per WP:ELNO: it is a link to a blog and does not provide a unique resource beyond what the article would contain if it became a featured article. The pranks featured are about as insipid as it get. However, I'm up against WP:3RR.  --Lambiam 22:07, 1 April 2012 (UTC)

This part about France and Italy should be moved into another section

This part should be moved to another section, perhaps concerning how people celebrate around the world. The paragraph after concerning Chaucer should be moved up.

"In France and Italy, children and adults traditionally tack paper fish on each other's back as a trick and shout "april fish!" in their local language ("poisson d'avril!" and "pesce d'aprile!" in French and Italian respectively)." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 140.253.35.105 (talk) 05:57, 2 April 2012 (UTC)

Wikipedia on April 1

Where is the current list for submissions for 'main page curiosities for the day'? Jackiespeel (talk) 18:04, 13 June 2012 (UTC)

I've never heard of this. 71.191.110.49 (talk) 15:05, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

"April Fool(s)!"

I find it odd that this article doesn't mention the part of the process where after the prank is enacted/discovered, the pranker shouts 'April Fool(s)!'. Is that not a common thing? Maybe it's not mentioned because it's only regional or something, but to me it seems like a pretty important part of the tradition.

Also, I'm very surprised there isn't a list of 'notable April Fools Pranks'. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Aryst0krat (talk • contribs) 04:20, 20 February 2013 (UTC)

shout added. Widefox; talk 10:34, 5 April 2013 (UTC)

New Photo

Is there a way we can try to get a new photo?

That photo is from 2001 on the main Article page. There has to be some kind of prank just like it newer. Deunick (talk) 04:59, 31 March 2013 (UTC)

I don't see how a more recent photo would illustrate the concept any more clearly. --McGeddon (talk) 13:25, 31 March 2013 (UTC)

Which countries?

The first sentence says "April Fools' Day is celebrated in many countries on April 1 every year". It should be clarified which countries celebrate it. Since the article is locked now I can't add the "which?" template to that sentence. The Spanish version of the article contains a list of some (all?) countries that celebrate it. Btw, Spain doesn't celebrate it on April 1st, but Dec 28th. See https://wiki.riteme.site/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents#Feast_days. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.108.163.221 (talk) 14:17, 1 April 2013 (UTC)

 Done Widefox; talk 17:06, 5 April 2013 (UTC)

In Mexico we don't celebrate April Fools' day either -- we celebrate DIA DE LOS INOCENTES on Dec 28 (like other hispanic countries) as stated per the previous post. However, there's a mistake in the phrases included in the Wikipedia article: where in Mexico do people say "INNOCENT FOREVER"???? NOWHERE! That is NOT true! The phrase we use in Mexico is the one stated before that one: INOCENTE PALOMITA QUE TE DEJASTE ENGAÑAR, and most of the time followed by "SABIENDO QUE EN ESTE DIA, EN NADIE PUEDES CONFIAR" (knowing that this day nobody can be trusted). I hope someone notices and corrects that mistake. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.110.218.167 (talk) 21:55, 1 April 2013 (UTC)

What is the connection to the holiday and Spain's 8th century massacred of the Moors on that day in 1491? Dionne Sincire

Galicia

In Galicia is called: Día dos enganos, I think it should be added. 88.24.236.109 (talk) 21:56, 1 April 2013 (UTC)

Copyvio

The section "Notable pranks" (see article history), was a copyright violation, having been cut and pasted in its entirety from a blocked eHow link to an article, "What is the origin of April Fools' Jokes," section "Constantine Theory," written by Laura Jean Holton. Per Wikipedia's strict WP:COPYVIO guidelines, I have removed the content. Fowler&fowler«Talk» 11:02, 14 September 2013 (UTC)

It looks like this has now been rewritten in the editor's own words, but unless we're presenting this as part of the festival's folklore, I'd say this belonged in the List of April Fool's Day jokes article. --McGeddon (talk) 20:17, 19 September 2013 (UTC)

Rumour or fact?

"In the Roman Julian Calendar, April used to be the first month of the year; but the Gregorian Calendar observed January as the first month. Even after shifting to the Gregorian Calendar, many people refused to give up old traditions and continued celebrating 1st April as the New Year's Day. When simple orders didn't work, the King finally issued a royal dictum; which stated that those who celebrated 1st April as the new year's day would be labelled as fools. From then on, 1st April became April Fool's Day." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 101.162.137.73 (talk) 01:35, 21 November 2013 (UTC)

This seems doubtful, as the Julian and Gregorian calendars seem to share the same month names and order (January first). clpo13(talk) 06:00, 21 November 2013 (UTC)
Also doubtful because the new year didn't start on 1st April but on Lady Day, 25th March. MidlandLinda (talk) 14:03, 29 March 2014 (UTC)

April Fools' Day Pranks

This section only has 1 example in it, add more examples or remove it all together. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.244.137.239 (talk) 03:13, 26 December 2013 (UTC)

April Fools joke by Wikipedia!!

April Fools jokes are played at every level from friends and family, to national news and government. What if we as WP editors played a prank on readers? I've been thinking a lot about it and one thing I've come up with is this: to replace this article for a day with a dummy article that says that April Fools Day has been cancelled globally and will no longer be practiced by any country.

Of course there are heavier pranks to play (e.g. announce on every WP page that WP is closing forever due to lack of budget), but I think the above idea is just docile enough to stand a chance at happening. If you really want to minimize impact, the internal/external links could all go to an "April Fools!!" page with a link to the real article under a tentative title.

Don't be sticks in the mud!! Prove you have a soul! :-) Squish7 (talk) 20:56, 24 January 2014 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure I don't have a soul.—chbarts (talk) 18:09, 1 April 2015 (UTC)
@Squish7: As per this discussion, pulling pranks on the article namespace isn't allowed. But you can still prank other parts of Wikipedia ;) -Newyorkadam (talk) 22:08, 31 March 2014 (UTC)Newyorkadam
It may not be strictly relevant to the discussion here, but I just semiprotected this page for a few days because the IP vandalism to it isn't witty enough for Wikipedia's exacting standards. Bishonen | talk 22:18, 31 March 2014 (UTC).
@Newyorkadam: I don't mean a personal prank. I mean if we got a petition together with enough editors so everybody on the inside knows about it. Are you saying there's a blanket ban against WP editors playing pranks on the readers? Could this not be easily appealed? Thanks for your input! Squish7 (talk) 21:18, 6 April 2014 (UTC)
@Squish7: The belief is that we shouldn't ever prank the article namespace because "we're an encyclopedia for readers ... and they're not in on the joke. It's one thing changing our main page to be misleading, it's quite another to edit the articles" -Newyorkadam (talk) 22:08, 6 April 2014 (UTC)Newyorkadam

TAFI

Hello @Buster7, Northamerica1000, NickPenguin, and CaroleHenson:, @Kvng, Whiteghost.ink, ChrisGualtieri, and Ypnypn:, @Moswento, Kvng, Coin945, and Hmlarson:, @WaitingForConnection, Evad37, Sumanah, and Buffbills7701:, @Newyorkadam, Simplysavvy, Tomásdearg92, and Wikiuser13:, @Cloudz679: and others:

Please remember to edit this week's TAFI - April Fool's Day. Even if it's just one line. Or a reference. Or a copyedit. Every little bit helps.--Coin945 (talk) 18:38, 31 March 2014 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 1 April 2014

Apostrophe in "executed April Fools Day hoaxes". Alien Putsch resistant (talk) 05:52, 1 April 2014 (UTC)

OK. Bishonen | talk 06:10, 1 April 2014 (UTC).

Deletion

Was trying to get this page deleted as a non-notable holiday until I realised I was thinking of my trip to Corfu.--Tuzapicabit (talk) 13:12, 1 April 2014 (UTC)


Merge discussion

I am proposing that we merge List of April Fool's Day jokes into this article. I can see no specific reason to justify splitting this content out per WP:LENGTH or anything of that nature, and that content can be easily contained within this article. --NickPenguin(contribs) 14:48, 1 April 2014 (UTC)

It looks like the list article used to be a full four pages, and was cut down in March 2012 when an editor decided - after suggesting it on the talk page and getting no feedback beyond one weak comment of opposition - that the inclusion criterion should be "must have own Wikipedia article". Given that the list article has some glaring omissions (no American television, and only three internet jokes, two from the 1980s), I'd say it was better to leave it where it was and work on expanding it with a criterion of "multiple secondary sources covering the joke" rather than "must have own article". --McGeddon (talk) 15:03, 1 April 2014 (UTC)
  • Oppose Not the first time that this has been discussed, usually around this time of year. There's no problem with having both articles. JOJ Hutton 20:23, 1 April 2014 (UTC)
I understand the points raised by McGeddon, they perhaps warrant some discussion, but is your primary reason for not merging because its been discussed in the past and was not merged? I'm not sure I agree with that particular line of reasoning. Also, I went through the last 7 years and found only one instance of the word "merge" in an edit summary, and that was in a proposal to merge it into April 1st. ALso no references to it in this archives of this talk page. --NickPenguin(contribs) 01:13, 2 April 2014 (UTC)
  • Oppose I agree with NorthAmerica that the two articles are both well developed as is. Moreover, I think that they are better separated because a "List" article should be in a different form from a general article and currently they are in their separately appropriate forms. What is important in having the two articles is that the reader can: (a) easily see that the other one exists, and (b) that one does not repeat the other. These requirements also currently seem to be the case. That is, the "List" article links in its lead to the general article, and the general article links to the List article in its "See also" section. Also, the current lead in the "List" article is succinct. Whiteghost.ink (talk) 04:52, 12 April 2014 (UTC)

Iran

The section about Iran is simply not true, as it is stated in the Persian/Farsi version of this same article. April Fools' Day in Iran has its origins in 1943 and an issue of "Nabard newspaper" published on April 3, 1943 which itself was based on the newspaper editor's familiarity with French culture. The sources for the Iran section are not credible (blog posts?!). Remove that section please ! 131.179.210.34 (talk) 01:28, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

Baby

The section about the baby falling off the bed is misleading and I removed it. Here is the original story http://web.archive.org/web/20130210140903/http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/04/01/2767_local-news.html and it's clear that it may not have had anything to do with April Fools. Philafrenzy (talk) 11:56, 2 April 2014 (UTC)

New Year's Day/Gregorian calendar

The shift of New Year's Day from March 25 to January 1 is different thing the Julian-to-Gregorian calendar issue. De Dene wrote a clear reference to April Fool's dated 1539, so holiday predates either of these explanations. The great huha (talk) 09:31, 12 May 2014 (UTC)

Removal of wrapped car on pallets

I removed this image because it doesnt seem to be on the same scale as the rest of the notable pranks, and doesnt really add much to the article. Also, the source says "April Fools Day Joke?", meaning it's not even certain that it is one. More pictures of historic notable april fools pranks would be well recieved though, I'm sure. Benboy00 (talk) 03:59, 10 August 2014 (UTC)

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