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."
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Does that verbal sex between Obama and Brown in London count?
Google Mail has one:
http://mail.google.com/mail/help/autopilot/index.html
Unless I’ve got my time zones way off, at 11 PM last night it was already 3 AM in Italy.
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.
Isaac Bartram,
But does the AF rule apply to the perp or the victim? There are serious issues afoot here.
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…
EU pushes male all-body shaving as response to crisis
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.
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.
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.
Interview link didn’t work for me.
So, will TofuSushi return tomorrow after the hijinks have ended?
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…
Youtube is playing videos upside down.
@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?
FrBunny, would you please translate that post?
I wanna laugh too.
04/01 = April First/Fool.
For someone posting at reason…
But post-op?
A new class of galaxy clusters has been discovered by the Galaxy Zoo team.
http://tinyurl.com/cbe92h
Post-op, as in: I’m Eve but used to be Adam.
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.
Christian Science Monitor
Fyodor: Try it now.
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…
“Are you sure she was a man?”
“She had an Adam’s apple as big as her balls.”
Picture Natalie Portman’s face on Scarlett Johansen’s body, with Angelina Jolie’s attitude.
I’ll be in my bunk.
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?)
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.
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.
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…
Picture Natalie Portman’s face on Scarlett Johansen’s body, with Angelina Jolie’s attitude.
That is one fine looking Jew.
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.
Don’t worry FrBunny. I’d still fuck your face if that makes you feel any better.
How dare you speak to my sweet HoneyBunny in such a manner! I should beat you with my cane!
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.
I should beat you with my cane!
The good old days of the United States Senate. How I miss them so.
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.
SugarFree,
I thought I was giving a compliment! What am I? Some sorta man-whore who will fuck any hole on anyone?
What am I? Some sorta man-whore who will fuck any hole on anyone?
Yes.
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!
Naga,
Good luck convincing Gerard Butler give you a turn.
Wait, she is pretty hot. Change that to 10 paces.
The good old days of the United States Senate. How I miss them so.
They really need to bring back dueling.
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.
Naga, with an auger bit and some Crisco, an ear makes a delightful fuckhole.
Xeones,
Ouch! I’ll have you know I’m fairly monogamous for an alleged man-whore!
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.
I had to give up ass-rape. Too many calories.
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.
Epi,
Are you suggesting that “Deliverance” was based on the habits of SugarFree and his kin?
*shivers*
Ouch! I’ll have you know etc.
Uh uh, we all saw what you did with that weird concavity on MNG’s forehead.
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?
Semi-circumsized? How in the hell could you guess that? You should play the lottery more.
Naga, will you fuck anything that moves?
Don’t give him trick questions by limiting it to things that can move.
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.
Wait. Why would I have some ether? It can’t be good that I saw that and simply accepted it.
Oh, Naga, you really need to watch more movies. Especially David Lynch movies.
“Don’t you fucking look at me!”
It’s a movie reference. And it sickens me to my very core to find that you don’t recognize it.
To be fair, SugarFree, Naga sickens most people to their core on a regular basis.
Agreed.
Naga,
Try chloroform instead, but measure carefully.
Naga sickens most people to their core on a regular basis.
It’s his smell that really gets to me.
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?
Reinmoose!!!
*shakes fist at Reinmoose*
Why hast thou forsaken Naga?
Some days, it’s just your day.
SugarFree,
Now I see this clearly. My whole life is pointed in one direction. There never has been a choice for me.
Stop whining, Naga. We know that the “moves” you have to make are hitting on drunk fat cougars at closing time.
We did a post over at http://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!
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… “
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…
That is so awesome, Trent! We are all just as pleased as punch for you and your web-site!
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.
We did a post over at http://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…
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.
“Drop that zero and get your self a hero, baby!”
I am one macho son-of-a-bitch!!
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.
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.”
He likes the no hips/flat chest/paige boy haircut look.
So we share more than one interest?
He likes the no hips/flat chest/paige boy haircut look.
Warty has a Prince Valiant fetish? Ew.
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.
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.)
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!
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?
True. But who gonna be my second?
True. But who gonna be my second?
MNG
MNG? Okay. That is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I declare a SHUN upon nolongertofusushi!!!!
SHUN! SHUN! SHUN!
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.
Besmirched? You are like a walking roll of “Word of the Day” toilet paper today.
Naga,
Shun me all you like, just mak sure you don’t miss during the duel. You too SugarFree.
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?
We need a Mexican Standoff between Naga, ProL, and Tofu. One of you can go in Arch Stanton’s grave.
I’d rather see them re-enact the end of Reservoir Dogs.
We need a Mexican Standoff . . .
Hey man, I was born in America! The America part not the Canada or Texican part.
Episiarch,
What do you say we play a little Bangkok rules?
We need a Mexican Standoff between Naga, ProL, and Tofu.
Racist.
Best duel in fiction? Gotta be the end of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Best duel in fiction?
That would be The Duellists.
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.
BTW, 64 and sunny today. Suck it, hardy northerners!
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)
Duel I Most Want To See
FrBunny,
It’s 62 over in Biloxi. Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Cold dammit! I bet you live in a house with central heating.
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.
Gorn has an almost impenetrable hide! And microphones for eyes! He’d hold his own.
Naga,
Remember, ladies always look better with a bit of a chill. Well, gg ladies, not sure about post-op gurlz.
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?
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”
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
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.
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.
grrrr
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)
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
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.)
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.