So, I’m searching the internet, trying to find something snappy I can post regarding April Fools day. (For those who are not from the United States its celebrated on April 1st.) As it turns out, no one is certain how this popular celebration began. There are several ideas but they all come with a reason why it isnt likely the entire explaination. Which somehow seems very fitting for this “holiday”, which isn’t a holiday.
In my searching I did come across: The Top 100 April Fool’s Day Hoaxes of All Time
As judged by notoriety, creativity, and number of people duped. Click on the title above or the article below to read the other 99.
1957: The respected BBC news show Panorama announced that thanks to a very mild winter and the virtual elimination of the dreaded spaghetti weevil, Swiss farmers were enjoying a bumper spaghetti crop. It accompanied this announcement with footage of Swiss peasants pulling strands of spaghetti down from trees. Huge numbers of viewers were taken in. Many called the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this the BBC diplomatically replied, “place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best.”
It’s better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and leave no doubt. —Mark Twain
However big the fool, there is always a bigger fool to admire him. — Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux
He who lives without folly isn’t so wise as he thinks. — François, Duc de La Rochefoucauld