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Happy April Fool's Day (War Is Over)
National Geographic
interviews Alex Boese, curator of the Museum of Hoaxes, about the
history of April Fool's Day. Read it to learn the likely origins of
the tradition, which authoritarian regimes resist the holiday, and
why the Internet embraces it. And for this story:
Q: Do you have a favorite "good" prank?
A: One has elements of almost being bad, but I just liked the idea of it. Back in World War I, French air force pilots flew over German camps and threw out fake bombs with April Fool's Day notes pinned to them. The Germans saw these things falling, scattered everywhere, crept back, and saw the notes. It's kind of mean, but the fact that people would stop fighting for a day to play pranks on each other--that appealed to me.
Q: And you swear you're not making that up?
A: It's true. If you can believe newspaper reports. It was reported back in 1915.
If you spot any interesting hoaxes today, tell us about them in the comments thread. I received my first fake press release of the day at 11:00 last night (you're jumping the gun, boys!), claiming that John Yoo had been arrested in Italy and held for possible extradition to Spain. Allegedly a Reuters report, it was "edited by Antonio Gramsci."
|4.1.09 @ 10:22AM|#
I received my first fake press release of the day at 11:00 last night (you're jumping the gun, boys!), claiming that John Yoo had been arrested in Italy and held for possible extradition to Spain.
Unless I've got my time zones way off, at 11 PM last night it was
already 3 AM in Italy.
Jesse Walker|4.1.09 @ 10:25AM|#
Unless I've got my time zones way off, at 11 PM last night
it was already 3 AM in Italy.
It did not originate in Italy.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 10:26AM|#
Isaac Bartram,
But does the AF rule apply to the perp or the victim? There are
serious issues afoot here.
|4.1.09 @ 10:26AM|#
In college I staged a serious 04/01 sit-down with my boyfriend
of three weeks to tell him I was post-op.
My ego has never recovered from the fact that he seemed to believe
it without much convincing...
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 10:34AM|#
FrBunny,
Are you sure we never met? This really tall chick, dressed really
hot with a bit too much makeup on, did that to me on 1 April a few
years ago.
We met in a bar that had some crazy stage show going on.
|4.1.09 @ 10:39AM|#
ThinkGeek has some funny fake products today, including Squeez Bacon (bacon in a bottle from Sweden), an ice dagger mold, a Tauntaun sleeping bag with a light saber zipper, and a wristband that shocks you when you speak certain buzz words.
|4.1.09 @ 10:40AM|#
Jesse Walker
OK, I should have checked.
NolongerTofuSushi
But with the intertubez the victim could be anywhere.
No matter what, it's gonna be before, or after, midnight somewhere
in the world.
Taktix®|4.1.09 @ 10:43AM|#
you're jumping the gun, boys!
You kinda have to jump the gun a little. Once someone get nailed,
it's really hard to get them again.
Like Chicken Pox...
|4.1.09 @ 10:45AM|#
@NLTS: It's possible. How to describe myself...
Picture Natalie Portman's face on Scarlett Johansen's body, with
Angelina Jolie's attitude. Now picture that woman ordering
something from a Cinnabon cashier in the mall circa 1992.
I'm the cashier. Ring any bells?
Must be really out of it. 04/0|4.1.09 @ 10:45AM|#
FrBunny, would you please translate that post?
I wanna laugh too.
Jet|4.1.09 @ 10:50AM|#
A new class of galaxy clusters has been discovered by the Galaxy
Zoo team.
http://tinyurl.com/cbe92h
|4.1.09 @ 10:54AM|#
Tranny, you dolts. Post-op tranny.
Geez. For someone posting at reason... No shit, right?
(drink, drink, drink)
At this rate, I'll be shitfaced by lunch time.
|4.1.09 @ 10:54AM|#
In an unprecedented move Wednesday, the Norwegian Nobel Committee rescinded the Peace Prize it awarded in 2007 to former US vice president Al Gore and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, amid overwhelming evidence that global warming is an elaborate hoax cooked up by Mr. Gore.
Taktix®|4.1.09 @ 10:56AM|#
In an unprecedented move Wednesday, the Norwegian Nobel
Committee rescinded the Peace Prize it awarded in 2007 to former US
vice president Al Gore and the United Nations Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, amid overwhelming evidence that global
warming is an elaborate hoax cooked up by Mr. Gore.
It's not April's Farfetched Dream Day. Although it's nice to see
some things are still the same, namely, conservatives are still
incapable of being funny...
|4.1.09 @ 11:04AM|#
Picture Natalie Portman's face on Scarlett Johansen's body,
with Angelina Jolie's attitude.
I'll be in my bunk.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 11:10AM|#
So, will TofuSushi return tomorrow after the hijinks have
ended?
Not from my hand. Expect the others who were spoofing TS to be
around.
@FB,
FrBunny | April 1, 2009, 10:45am | #
@NLTS: It's possible. How to describe myself...
Picture Natalie Portman's face on Scarlett Johansen's body, with
Angelina Jolie's attitude. Now picture that woman ordering
something from a Cinnabon cashier in the mall circa 1992.
I'm the cashier. Ring any bells?
You had me until Cinnabon. Sorry, the only bell ringing here is
that of the cash register. (they still had bells in '92 didn't
they?)
Phillip J. Birmingham|4.1.09 @ 11:25AM|#
I saw one on the train home from work yesterday about Obama
forcing GM and Chrysler to pull out of NASCAR.
That's taking stealing a march a little too far.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 11:27AM|#
I saw one on the train home from work yesterday about Obama
forcing GM and Chrysler to pull out of NASCAR.
I need to make an effort to find out what is going on with Chrysler
on this industry nationalization frenzie. All I hear about is
GM.
|4.1.09 @ 11:29AM|#
If you spot any interesting hoaxes today, tell us about
them
NPR started a great one this morning. They reported that the
Justice Department is seeking to toss out the conviction of former
senator Ted Stevens. Ted "series of tubes" "bridge to nowhere"
Stevens lost re-election after being convicted of corruption.
It looks like most of the big news outlets have bit on this one. Ha
ha ha ha
Oh wait...
nebby|4.1.09 @ 11:32AM|#
Picture Natalie Portman's face on Scarlett Johansen's body, with
Angelina Jolie's attitude.
That is one fine looking Jew.
The Angry Optimist|4.1.09 @ 11:35AM|#
In fairness, we should be somewhat happy about the dropping of the charges against Stevens. He's a repugnant legislative lizard, but if there was prosecutorial misconduct, I'd rather have the integrity of the system over my personal feelings any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 11:39AM|#
Don't worry FrBunny. I'd still fuck your face if that makes you feel any better.
|4.1.09 @ 11:40AM|#
How dare you speak to my sweet HoneyBunny in such a manner! I should beat you with my cane!
Matt|4.1.09 @ 11:41AM|#
Here in Boston, they were talking on the radio about the new "10 and 2" law, which means a $100 ticket for anyone caught driving without both hands on the wheel. This being Massachusetts, I actually thought it could be true.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 11:42AM|#
I should beat you with my cane!
The good old days of the United States Senate. How I miss them
so.
|4.1.09 @ 11:43AM|#
Matt,
You know some jerk congressman heard that and thinks it sounds like
a good idea. The radio guy should get sued by anyone fined after it
becomes a law.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 11:44AM|#
SugarFree,
I thought I was giving a compliment! What am I? Some sorta
man-whore who will fuck any hole on anyone?
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 11:46AM|#
SF and NS,
I am thinking duel! Settle this like MEN! Sawed off shotguns (with
proper license) at 50 paces! Bring one case of shells EACH OF
YOU!
|4.1.09 @ 11:47AM|#
The good old days of the United States Senate. How I miss
them so.
They really need to bring back dueling.
|4.1.09 @ 11:48AM|#
I'd still fuck your face if that makes you feel any
better.
I'm impressed, Naga. That is a whole new level for you. But watch
out, NutraSweet might rape you for insulting his fellow redneck.
Ass-rape you, which you weren't even kind enough to offer to
FrBunny.
Warty|4.1.09 @ 11:48AM|#
Naga, with an auger bit and some Crisco, an ear makes a delightful fuckhole.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 11:50AM|#
Xeones,
Ouch! I'll have you know I'm fairly monogamous for an alleged
man-whore!
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 11:50AM|#
JW,
They really need to bring back dueling.
Scroll up.
Epi,
which you weren't even kind enough to offer to
FrBunny.
You know, they are no longer into the ass as much after the
operation. Face was not a bad lead in.
|4.1.09 @ 11:52AM|#
Now Epi-Wan. You already taught me about reacting to
anti-southern bait.
I'm in my happy place, where Naga's semi-circumsized dingy can
never reach. And trust me, there's lots of places his
can't reach.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 11:53AM|#
Epi,
Are you suggesting that "Deliverance" was based on the habits of
SugarFree and his kin?
*shivers*
Xeones|4.1.09 @ 11:54AM|#
Ouch! I'll have you know etc.
Uh uh, we all saw what you did with that weird concavity on MNG's
forehead.
|4.1.09 @ 11:55AM|#
See, now I have this picture in my head of Naga with some ether and Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Frbunny as Isabella Rossellini. Actually, this is kind of fun. Naga, will you fuck anything that moves?
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 11:56AM|#
Semi-circumsized? How in the hell could you guess that? You should play the lottery more.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 11:57AM|#
Naga, will you fuck anything that moves?
Don't give him trick questions by limiting it to things that can
move.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 11:59AM|#
No Epi. I will not. I'm very particular about my skanks. To much self esteem? Your out. Expecting me to pay for your drinks? Your out. Don't wanna mindlessly praise me? Your out. Etc.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 12:00PM|#
Wait. Why would I have some ether? It can't be good that I saw that and simply accepted it.
|4.1.09 @ 12:02PM|#
Oh, Naga, you really need to watch more
movies. Especially David Lynch movies.
"Don't you fucking look at me!"
|4.1.09 @ 12:03PM|#
It's a movie reference. And it sickens me to my very core to find that you don't recognize it.
Xeones|4.1.09 @ 12:05PM|#
To be fair, SugarFree, Naga sickens most people to their core on a regular basis.
|4.1.09 @ 12:13PM|#
Naga sickens most people to their core on a regular
basis.
It's his smell that really gets to me.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 12:13PM|#
OH! Now I get it. "Blue Velvet" . . . oh, wait. No, I didn't get
it cuz I've never seen it. Look Epi, I don't have time to simply
snort coke and watch movie. I've got things to do, moves to
make.
SugarFree,
Why hast thou forsaken Naga?
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 12:19PM|#
SugarFree,
Now I see this clearly. My whole life is pointed in one direction.
There never has been a choice for me.
|4.1.09 @ 12:19PM|#
Stop whining, Naga. We know that the "moves" you have to make are hitting on drunk fat cougars at closing time.
Trent Hill|4.1.09 @ 12:20PM|#
We did a post over at www.IndependentPoliticalReport.com this morning about Ron Paul supposedly confirming a run for President in 2012. We fooled ALOT of people, we've gotten about 3x the traffic too!
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 12:24PM|#
Epi,
You say that like it's a bad thing. Excessive move making can cause
cramps, discomfort, and the dreaded "walk of shame". Trust me on
this.
"I'm standing here; you make the move. You make the move. It's your
move... "
|4.1.09 @ 12:25PM|#
Stop whining, Naga. We know that the "moves" you have to
make are hitting on drunk fat cougars at closing time.
Hi! Name's Artemis... I have a bleached asshole...
Xeones|4.1.09 @ 12:25PM|#
That is so awesome, Trent! We are all just as pleased as punch for you and your web-site!
|4.1.09 @ 12:28PM|#
I think this thread will eventually appear in the background of
an episode of Dateline.
Chris Hansen: So you thought it was okay to talk about having sex
with an eleven-year-old boy's skull?
Naga: He said 'Natalie Portman'... Can I just go now? This is the
first time I've ever done anything like this.
Taktix®|4.1.09 @ 12:31PM|#
We did a post over at www.IndependentPoliticalReport.com
this morning about Ron Paul supposedly confirming a run for
President in 2012. We fooled ALOT of people, we've gotten about 3x
the traffic too!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
The only thing funnier than Paulbots is fucking with
Paulbots...
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 12:34PM|#
FrBunny,
I was thinking Jerry Springer. You throw a chair and scream you're
in love with SugarFree while I sit there with a smug smile just
repeating one liners.
"Drop that zero and get your self a hero, baby!"
"When your done slumming with that fatty, come find me so you can
know what a real man feels like."
Or at least that's the way it goes in my head.
Reinmoose|4.1.09 @ 12:35PM|#
"Drop that zero and get your self a hero, baby!"
I am one macho son-of-a-bitch!!
|4.1.09 @ 12:38PM|#
Hi! Name's Artemis... I have a bleached
asshole...
These guys are playing hard to get. I'm gonna take off my bra,
blast 'em my nips.
So you thought it was okay to talk about having sex with an
eleven-year-old boy's skull?
Wait, you're an eleven year old boy now? Or do you just look like
one? If the latter, you have to watch out for Warty. He likes the
no hips/flat chest/paige boy haircut look.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 12:41PM|#
Epi,
Obviously she/he/it is now a curvacious hot babe but before the
operation she/he/it looked like an eleven year old boy.
I haven't watched "Always Sunny in Philadelphia" in a while.
Terrible.
"Each night when I return the cab to the garage, I have to clean
the cum off the back seat. Some nights, I clean off the blood."
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 12:42PM|#
He likes the no hips/flat chest/paige boy haircut
look.
So we share more than one interest?
|4.1.09 @ 12:42PM|#
He likes the no hips/flat chest/paige boy haircut
look.
Warty has a
Prince Valiant fetish? Ew.
|4.1.09 @ 12:46PM|#
They really need to bring back dueling.
JW,
Real men of honor don't wait for "them" to bring back anything.
They just meet you at dawn with pistols or sabers--your choice.
|4.1.09 @ 12:47PM|#
Wait, you're an eleven year old boy now?
Statistically speaking: probably. Don't tell HrBunny though. He
still thinks I'm a swimsuit model trying to save enough to come to
Amerika. (That keeps the checks a'comin.)
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 12:49PM|#
PL,
Real men of honor don't wait for "them" to bring back anything.
They just meet you at dawn with pistols or sabers--your
choice.
I already picked the weapons. Now let's stop dillydallying and get
this show on the road!
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 12:51PM|#
PL,
Also, if we let those two pick there is a 99% probability that they
will duel with banjos. Now, you really don't want to hear that, do
you?
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 12:54PM|#
MNG? Okay. That is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I declare a SHUN upon nolongertofusushi!!!!
SHUN! SHUN! SHUN!
|4.1.09 @ 12:55PM|#
I, too, am a Southerner. You have besmirched my honor. My
seconds will drink some Jack, listen to some Skynyrd, then beat the
crap out of your seconds.
Naga,
You screwed up the joke. "Set phasers on shun." Jeez, as a victim
of such a shunning, you'd figure you'd know that one.
|4.1.09 @ 12:57PM|#
Besmirched? You are like a walking roll of "Word of the Day" toilet paper today.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 12:58PM|#
Naga,
Shun me all you like, just mak sure you don't miss during the duel.
You too SugarFree.
|4.1.09 @ 12:59PM|#
So far, the two best that I've seen have been Google's
AI CADIE* and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block airing a
terrible movie called The Room while mocking
their viewers during the commercial breaks.
*Who could predict that Skynet would love panda bears?
|4.1.09 @ 1:01PM|#
We need a Mexican Standoff between Naga, ProL, and Tofu. One of you can go in Arch Stanton's grave.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 1:04PM|#
We need a Mexican Standoff . . .
Hey man, I was born in America! The America part not the Canada or
Texican part.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 1:11PM|#
Best duel in fiction? Gotta be the end of The Good, the Bad,
and the Ugly.
I am glad I caught where you said fiction before I brought up
Duel.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 1:13PM|#
Correct Pro Lib. Sergio Leone's epic 5 minute standoff. Teh AWESome! I was watching it a few days ago matter of fact. Oh, and for the record . . . NOT a "Star Trek" fan. I was merely waiting for you to jump in finish the joke. You have let me down . . . again. (sigh)
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 1:15PM|#
FrBunny,
It's 62 over in Biloxi. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Cold dammit! I bet you
live in a house with central heating.
Naga Sadow|4.1.09 @ 1:17PM|#
SugarFree,
That's not a duel for The Humungus. He's the ruler of the
Wastelands. He would be enjoying some Gorn steaks within a few
minutes of them meeting.
|4.1.09 @ 1:20PM|#
Gorn has an almost impenetrable hide! And microphones for eyes! He'd hold his own.
NolongerTofuSushi|4.1.09 @ 1:21PM|#
Naga,
Remember, ladies always look better with a bit of a chill. Well, gg
ladies, not sure about post-op gurlz.
|4.1.09 @ 1:25PM|#
BTW, 64 and sunny today. Suck it, hardy
northerners!
It was sunny yesterday and nice here in Seattle, and right now it's
snowing (!). WTF?
EJM|4.1.09 @ 1:35PM|#
God's Politics has five (obvious) April Fool's posts up...
"Obama Presents Global Economic Recovery Plan to a Resistant G-20
While Holding Adorable Puppy"
"Report: Nobody Cares Anymore When Joe Biden Says Something
Crazy"
"After Jailhouse Conversion, Madoff to Join Ministry of
Televangelist Kenneth Copeland"
"[Ron] Sider Declares End of 'Steroid Era' in Progressive
Christianity"
"Video: Rush Limbaugh to Speak at Sojourners' Mobilization to End
Poverty"
EJM|4.1.09 @ 1:51PM|#
Separately, here are April Fool's pranks played on "Hollywood
Squares" hosts...
John Davidson, from 1987 (full episode; prank starts at about
3:00)
Tom Bergeron,
from 2003
|4.1.09 @ 2:02PM|#
The Duellists was a good flick. That was one of Ridley Scott's first films, wasn't it? However, I stand by my first choice.
Ska|4.1.09 @ 2:06PM|#
Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block airing a terrible movie
called The Room while mocking their viewers during the commercial
breaks.
Thank you for clearing that up. I watched a scene where the blonde
skank gets fabio drunk, then they cut to a sex scene with huge
black squares covering her tits. I wondered why they were running a
censored cinemax porn on AS, before deciding it must have been some
Tim & Eric shit.
EJM|4.1.09 @ 2:15PM|#
And, here are various April Fool's-related TPIR
Showcases...
From 1976 ("A
Salute to Dr. John Barrett Clapinger")
Water-related
prank played on Holly Hallstrom
From 1983
(involving crashes)
From
2005
From 2008
(with Drew)
Joseph Henchman|4.1.09 @ 2:36PM|#
Tax Foundation Blog:
http://www.taxfoundation.org/blog
* New Global Lottery Will Fund Education, Replace All Taxes, April
1, 2009, by Alicia Hansen
* Obama Solves Tax Gap Problem, April 1, 2009, by Gerald
Prante
* New Report: States Facing $350 Trillion in Budget Shortfalls,
April 1, 2009, by Joseph Henchman
* National Association of Realtors® Calls for Restricting Voting
Rights to Property Owners Only, April 1, 2009, by Gerald Prante
|4.1.09 @ 2:47PM|#
On NPR's "Marketplace" this morning, Robert Reiche had an April
1st piece about tax breaks for Wall Street brokers who will come
clean and admit they screwed the country over.
Such is the disdain with which I greet every word that flows from
the tongue or pen of Mr. Reiche, that I didn't perceive it was a
joke until he said "Happy April, Fools". (At least, I'm pretty sure
there was a comma in that sentence.)
EJM|4.1.09 @ 2:53PM|#
Finally (I hope), here's the 1997 April Fool's host exchanges involving "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" (Pat on J!; Alex on WoF)--plus the 2008 toupee-related WoF prank.
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