April Fools pranks

After the COVID shutdown curbed April Fools' Day in 2020, brands started pranks even earlier. Does it always work? Ask Volkswagen.

The announcement comes with a pretty obvious hint: "This launch is conveniently timed to April Fools’ Day." "April Fool’s Day is definitely useful as a way of breaking through the clutter of messaging most of us are exposed to," McGrath said in an email exchange. The Catholic Church also may have had a hand in bringing April Fools' Day to the fore earlier in history. By the 19th century, April Fools' Day had become a mainstay of American culture. Among last year's April Fools' best teases: Velveeta's new line of V by Velveeta's beauty products including moisturizer and night cream. Back to Volkswagen's name change stunt, the company eventually confessed on March 30, 2021 that the announcement was an April Fools' joke. At the time, White House spokesperson Mike McCurry played along, the Inquirer recalled on last year's 25th anniversary of the stunt, saying, “We’ll be doing a series of these things. The joke feature wound up attached to many emails, unintentionally, and had to be turned off. "Even before widespread social media, this caused a major stir," McGrath said. But it turned out to be a poorly played joke. So how did it become a time for jokes and pranks? It's the latest twist on a holiday that has its beginnings centuries ago.

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Just make sure you know how to change the settings back. The same prank can also be achieved by changing the settings on someone’s television, even if it’s just adding foreign subtitles. April Fools’ Day is not a bank holiday in the UK, or most of the world. Is April Fools’ Day a bank holiday? What is the history of April Fools’ Day? When is April Fools’ Day 2022?

Tradition holds that April Fools' Day dates to 1582, when France made the move from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The change by Pope Gregory ...

Today, April Fools’ Day is celebrated by young and old alike, and an increasing number of businesses are joining in the fun. Tradition holds that April Fools’ Day dates to 1582, when France made the move from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. And while people around the world mark “Fools Day,” its exact origin is unclear.

Here's everything you should know about April Fools' Day, including how it started and some of the most famous pranks in history.

In 1975, the BBC aired a mock report about Switzerland’s spaghetti harvest, claiming that spaghetti is grown from trees. It even became a two-day event in Scotland. Pranks included sending people to do foolish errands and putting “kick me” signs on other people’s backs. It’s the earliest known unambiguous reference to the holiday. The exact origin of April Fools’ Day remains unknown, but historians came up with several theories of how the day started. The pranks pulled on them included putting paper fish on their backs, symbolizing easily caught fish and a gullible person. It’s around that time of the year when pranksters pull tricks on someone.

In France, where it is known as Poisson d'Avril (April Fish), a prankster sticks paper fish on the back of their unsuspecting victim and runs away screaming “ ...

But thankfully, the paper was good enough to explain later in the same article that it was a joke. As Associated Press reported at the time and BBC itself admitted that the broadcaster had to apologise for weeks to many of its foreign subscribers who got in touch to claim Big Ben’s hands. The broadcaster soon came clean on the story, revealing it to be a prank. When the office of two US senators called up Taco Bell and the National Park Service about the news, the company issued a statement confirming that it was an April Fools’ prank. This was enough to trigger debates among experts outraging against the Alabama legislature’s ‘decision’. Thanks to a growing popularity of emails at that time, the story went viral on the internet. And some even called up BBC to ‘reveal’ how they felt floating in the air. The reason given was that Taco Bell purchased it “in an effort to help the national debt.” Stensson went to great lengths to explain (in what sounded like technical terms) that the nylon stocking would bend the wavelengths of the TV and turn them into colour. It takes the boredom out of everyday work.” In France, where it is known as Poisson d’Avril (April Fish), a prankster sticks paper fish on the back of their unsuspecting victim and runs away screaming “Poisson d’Avril!” at the top of their lungs. Some claim that this tradition of pulling off a practical joke on friends and strangers can be traced to the ancient Roman period. Liberty Bell is one of the most enduring symbols of American freedom.

April 1 means April Fools' Day. Expect pranks, tall tales, and attempts to kid you on. If you are taking part this year, make sure to get your prank signed, ...

Once you have your drawings cut them out and stick them on the inside of a lampshade. Peel some onions and stick a lollipop stick in the centre of the core. All you need to do is put some Vaseline on a doorknob to make it extra slippery. I was totally taken in and went to work the next day saying that it was marvellous - only to be reminded of the date. A lot of people fell for it, writing Happy Birthday messages on my Facebook wall all day." You get the drift and you wouldn't believe it, a clerk seriously phoned up to go through the order and I got a rollicking from the main man for wasting company resources and time (no sense of humour). My staff had a laugh though. Joe Turnbull: "I got a friend to ring my mam and say she was selected for competition on Metro Radio and would be given a question to win a trolley dash. Jeff Ball sent in to tell us about Cramlington Rockets RLFC's April Fools' joke on their website: "Cramlington Rockets are pleased to announce an agreement with Oscar winner Russell Crowe to take over the club." Jacqueline A Lee: "My mam said that school was closed as it had been snowing all night and the teacher couldn't get to work! I moved all the clocks forward to 12.30pm then ran in the bedroom saying they were gonna miss the match. You are allowed to go nuts on April Fools' Day" Below, we take a look at some of the April Fools' prank ideas sent to us by ChronicleLive readers.

The day is traditionally set aside for pranksters to have a little fun with other people with hoaxes and practical jokes. And while people around the world mark ...

Today, April Fools’ Day is celebrated by young and old alike, and an increasing number of businesses are joining in the fun. Tradition holds that April Fools’ Day dates to 1582, when France made the move from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. And while people around the world mark “Fools Day,” its exact origin is unclear.

Some places have their own unique way of playing an April Fools' Day prank. In France, where it is known as Poisson d'Avril (April Fish), a prankster sticks ...

But thankfully, the paper was good enough to explain later in the same article that it was a joke. As Associated Press reported at the time and BBC itself admitted that the broadcaster had to apologise for weeks to many of its foreign subscribers who got in touch to claim Big Ben’s hands. The broadcaster soon came clean on the story, revealing it to be a prank. When the office of two US senators called up Taco Bell and the National Park Service about the news, the company issued a statement confirming that it was an April Fools’ prank. This was enough to trigger debates among experts outraging against the Alabama legislature’s ‘decision’. Thanks to a growing popularity of emails at that time, the story went viral on the internet. And some even called up BBC to ‘reveal’ how they felt floating in the air. Stensson went to great lengths to explain (in what sounded like technical terms) that the nylon stocking would bend the wavelengths of the TV and turn them into colour. The reason given was that Taco Bell purchased it “in an effort to help the national debt.” It takes the boredom out of everyday work.” In France, where it is known as Poisson d’Avril (April Fish), a prankster sticks paper fish on the back of their unsuspecting victim and runs away screaming “Poisson d’Avril!” at the top of their lungs. Some claim that this tradition of pulling off a practical joke on friends and strangers can be traced to the ancient Roman period. Liberty Bell is one of the most enduring symbols of American freedom.

From the stomach-churning to the aww-inducing, here's your round-up of some of this year's best (though some may argue worst) April Fools' Day pranks.

“I thought we were going to give the game away, to be honest. Pushing the culture forward, don’t miss out on this #Flexclusive release.” According to The Shovel, an amused Josh Frydenberg “can’t believe” Australians fell for it, and described what is thought to be the longest set-up ever for a joke. “In a stunning new deal, Seven has swooped on the iconic soap to begin a new chapter for the Ramsay Street serial.” In what feels a lot like a Truman Show moment, The Shovel has revealed: “Australia’s Federal government is a joke”. But it is not to be, with an April Fools’ disclaimer at the bottom of the story dealing fans a crushing blow. But reports of the sale of the boatshed are Bulls..t with a capital “B”, so it seems fitting enough. “Neighbours has been thrown a lifeline, heading back to Channel Seven, 37 years after it first premiered on the network,” the article read. The beloved footy star hinted at a return to the AFL in a series of tweets, recruiting a number of cronies to play along. While we were over the moon to hear about the return of the much-loved lime-flavoured Skittles, mixing them with chocolate is a hard no from us. The fact the more childish of us swapped out a word or two from the catchy tune to link the beans with flatulence to impress our playmates is an aside. “We’re excited to introduce this delicious new treat, with M&M’S and Skittles pre-mixed so you can enjoy a chocolate and fruity flavour in one bite,” M&M’s Australia posted this morning.

Seemingly cited online more than any other prank as the best, the story behind the Great Spaghetti Harvest began with the reputable and (usually) serious ...

The response was immediate and highly negative, from listeners to political pundits. The April 1, 1985, edition of Sports Illustrated arrived in folks' mailboxes with a story on an unknown New York Mets prospect named Sidd Finch. This led to a mountain of calls to the BBC as to how people could grow their own spaghetti trees. Mets players and coaches went along with the ruse. Here are a few of the most memorable April Fools' Day pranks ever played. The story even showed people picking spaghetti strands from trees.

TIME is flying and here we are again on April Fools' Day, but surely people don't still fall for it all, do they?

It was April Fool’s nonsense, but thousands of listeners called in to say they'd felt the fall in gravity and one woman even claimed she and 11 friends "wafted from their chairs and orbited gently around the room”. The BBC were at it again in 1980, reporting that Big Ben was going to become a digital clock, with some viewers so shocked by the announcement, they phoned in to complain. In Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th century The Canterbury Tales, he refers to a fox tricking a rooster on 32 March, which would make it April 1.

The true history of April Fools' has been a mystery for ages. The theories around its origin story have involved everything from Roman gods and fake popes ...

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Apocalyptic Giant Robot Fighting (WIP). All nine titles are pitched under the "Neo-Classic Arcade" banner, which is said to carry "on the spirit and fun of ...

At least Hideki Kamiya gets to have some fun in the video embedded above. Just searching the two terms in our internal database brings up a whole list of previous jokes. Over the past few years, Babylon's Fall developer PlatinumGames and April Fools pranks have gone hand in hand.

Some places have their own unique way of playing an April Fools' Day prank. In France, where it is known as Poisson d'Avril (April Fish), a prankster sticks ...

But thankfully, the paper was good enough to explain later in the same article that it was a joke. As Associated Press reported at the time and BBC itself admitted that the broadcaster had to apologise for weeks to many of its foreign subscribers who got in touch to claim Big Ben’s hands. The broadcaster soon came clean on the story, revealing it to be a prank. When the office of two US senators called up Taco Bell and the National Park Service about the news, the company issued a statement confirming that it was an April Fools’ prank. This was enough to trigger debates among experts outraging against the Alabama legislature’s ‘decision’. Thanks to a growing popularity of emails at that time, the story went viral on the internet. And some even called up BBC to ‘reveal’ how they felt floating in the air. The reason given was that Taco Bell purchased it “in an effort to help the national debt.” Stensson went to great lengths to explain (in what sounded like technical terms) that the nylon stocking would bend the wavelengths of the TV and turn them into colour. It takes the boredom out of everyday work.” In France, where it is known as Poisson d’Avril (April Fish), a prankster sticks paper fish on the back of their unsuspecting victim and runs away screaming “Poisson d’Avril!” at the top of their lungs. Some claim that this tradition of pulling off a practical joke on friends and strangers can be traced to the ancient Roman period. Courtesy the “many years of patient endeavour by plant breeders who have succeeded in producing the perfect spaghetti.”

It's April Fools' Day, which means you have to be extra sceptical of what you read this morning with lots of prank stories being shared in an attempt to ...

The Marble Arch mound is heading for the northFormer Tory minister Rory Stewart says he has been 'hired' as the PM's spin doctor.Mr Stewart, who once ran for the Conservative Party leadership, said he was looking forward to working with Boris Johnson.He tweeted: "It is an honour to have been asked by the PM to serve as Director of Communications for No10 Downing Street. "I am looking forward to working with the PM, Ministers and Members of Parliament on the issues that matter most to our country." The Real Madrid star was the subject of extraordinary attacks from the Spanish media and was even dubbed a "parasite" in the run-up to the crucial semi-final.However, he shook off this criticism to take Wales just one step from the Qatar World Cup and let it be known who he thought the real 'parasite' was.Welsh football fans said that renaming the bridge after Bale is a "fitting tribute"Fresh plans for 'Angel of the South' statue in Kent after London Resort proposals scrappedPlans are underway for a giant white horse statue to be built at the site of the now withdrawn plans for a London Resort theme park. Soap fans' hopes of Neighbours being saved raised and dashed as jokeNeighbours fans were thrown a cruel lifeline when Australia’s TV Tonight claimed the legendary soap was coming back to channel Seven instead of being cancelled forever.It wrote a “key piece” of its plan is to offer British fans of the show a special subscription package- but to get around geo-blocking people had to recite the lyrics to Especially For You and have a River Boys “Blood & Sand” tattoo on their chest.It later updated the story, saying: “Yup, annual April Fool’s Day post.”Fans of the show no doubt had their hopes raised and swiftly dashed.Queensland Police joked it had a new paw-tnership with Animal ZooQueensland Police were among the first to kick off the day of japes, hilariously telling its 225,000 followers it was teaming up with Australia Zoo to create an “elite new squad”.It said Police Animals in the Wild (Paw) would “add more eyes, ears, wings and claws to help keep Queensland safe”, with the help of Robert Irwin. But it soon revealed: “Gotcha! As much as we love our @AustraliaZoo, @wildwarriors and wildlife friends, they are not our newest crime fighting critters #AprilFools.” However, the plans were withdrawn this week and speculation has been rife about what will replace them.Now, KentLive can reveal that there are new plans to build the "Angel of the South" in its place. M4 Prince of Wales Bridge to be renamed the Gareth Bale BridgeThe Second Severn Crossing is to be renamed the Gareth Bale Bridge, Wales Online reports. "As we all know, Twitter mentions equals eyeballs and by that metric the Marble Arch mound has been a huge success", one said.Londoners were distraught when the £6m mound started to be demolished earlier this year after it was such a storming success.Thousands visited the grassy knoll and were amazed by the views it offered of several nearby Pret a Manger.Tory MP and London tourism minister Mike Wrap said: "I know Londoners will be bitterly disappointed to be losing this iconic temporary structure that has been compared to the Eiffel Tower."Click here to read the full story. The first product, the ‘Sundae Roast’, is available from today on Ocado.com, with ‘Fish for Chips’ and ‘Breakfast in Case of Emergencies’ to follow later this month. In 1980 an Aprils' Fool Day joke sparked fury after the BBC claimed Big Ben was going to digital with the same broadcaster pulling off one of the UK's most famous pranks 65 years ago. Back in 1957 its flagship current-affairs programme Panaroma claimed spaghetti was grown on trees - which was believable as the Italian staple product wasn't well known to Brits. In the UK Aprils' Fool Day ends at midday so if you try to trick someone after that you become the fool rather than them. But what the concerned caller hadn't realised was that the message was a very crass April Fools Day prank.North Wales Police has issued a stark warning to people about the repercussions of some April 1 jokes after receiving the call this morning. Aldi taking to the skies with announcement of new airline AldiAirAldi has announced this morning that it is spreading its wings and launching an airline - AldiAir.The supermarket has posted on its social media channels that it is turning its hand to aviation.The retailer’s post has sparked a flurry of responses, with some shoppers delighted at the move.EasyJet responded to the announcement by tweeting a viral video of Brenda from Bristol saying 'you're joking - not another one!'. Marble Arch mound mud to rebuild Hadrian's Wall as part of 'levelling up' the northMud from the Marble Arch mound will be used to rebuild Hadrian's Wall as part of Tory 'levelling up' plans, it can be exclusively revealed by the Mirror. Tourism experts say the Twitter storm that greeted the west London rubbish heap will soon be replicated up north. April Fools' Day jokes last year included claims that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's secret marriage ceremony before their royal wedding was conducted by a clergyman dressed as Elvis. The couple had disclosed their secret ceremony during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey which prompted a second Aprils' Fool Day gag that The Queen was going to set the record straight by speaking to the American media mogul herself.