A long time ago, someone pulled a prank (which is cool), but the target couldn’t take a joke (imagine a Medieval humorless jerk, like you would think of a BMV worker or Congressman). The prankster panicked and made up April Fools’ Day to stave off a beheading. It worked and now we have this stupid holiday.
I’m all about pranks. My favorite one was at an old job the shop guys found out a co-worker’s lock combination. After he left, they put a sign up on the urinal that said “Out of Order.” They then proceeded to put a funnel that went to his boots in the locker and a sign up that said “Truckers piss here.” Then the third shift guys took the sign down. After three days, they left the sign and funnel up, which led to rage and hilarity.
My problem is like anything in America, corporations and the media try to get in on the joke. I saw a commercial yesterday where a local car dealer put out a commercial saying they were selling flying cars. Sigh. I don’t know who deserves the beating, the company’s marketing director or the blooming idiot who believes the commercial. I would like to watch that commercial with both and declare, “That was funny. I won’t gutpunch anyone in this room. April Fools!”