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Crisco on door handles, Kool-Aid
in shower head rank as classic April Fools' jokes
By Jason Chesney
April 1, 2008 | April is always exciting as college
students begin the final countdown of the school year,
the weather begins to change and spring romances emerge.
However, it's not uncommon for some to start off the
month on a bad note, becoming victims to April Fools'
Day.
Although not an official holiday, April Fools' Day
is recognized by many countries throughout the world.
It is thought by some that April Fools' Day began as
early as the 14th century among the French. Others believe
it originated in Great Britain, but perhaps the earliest
occurrence of April Fools' began around the year 1400
as noted by the English poet Chaucer. Chaucer's story
"The Nun Priest's Tale" describes events taking
place 32 days after the first of March between two fools.
The ambiguity of the holiday doesn't stop some college
students from taking advantage of pulling a wide variety
of practical jokes on their friends or enemies. Whether
it be short-sheeting your roommate's bed or Kool-Aid
in the shower head, April Fools' Day has come to be
a day of great laughs.
"It's just a great excuse to have a good time
at someone's expense," said one Utah State senior.
"Anyone can have a good time whether you're the
one doing the prank or not. You just have to laugh."
Another senior at Utah State celebrated April Fools'
by going out early in the morning and smearing Crisco
under the door handle of every car in the parking lot.
America has seen some big, historic pranks. On the
April Fools' Day 1996, Taco Bell Corporation announced
it had purchased the Liberty Bell and was going to rename
it the Taco Liberty Bell. Several citizens around the
Philadelphia area called The National Historic Park
to express their disapproval. The prank lasted only
a few hours when Taco Bell made a statement to the press
confessing it had pulled a prank. The news carried to
the White House, where press secretary Mike McCurry
was asked about the prank. McCurry's response took many
by surprise when he explained that the Lincoln Memorial
had been sold and would be known as the Ford Lincoln
Mercury Memorial.
So, while April can be a much-anticipated month, remember
it may not start off the way you expect it. Some may
gather a few laughs after putting Fourth-of-July poppers
under the toilet seat of the girls' apartment next door,
while others will wake up only to find their socks tied
in knots. But, amongst all the tricks floating around
Logan on this first day of April, remember to laugh.
A good chuckle after falling victim to something harmless
may help you end the year with a bang!
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