| ||||
 |
Editor's NotesThis April 1st marks the beginning of our fifth year. Was it pure dumb luck that North of 50 Lifestyle Newsmagazine launched on April Fool’s Day 2003, or was it a well planned strategy that led us to that date? Honestly, the date, April 1st, was a coincidence and we were so busy trying to get the first issue off the ground that we didn’t think about the significance (or insignificance) of the date. Now, a few years later, it seems apropos that our inaugural issue hit the stands on April Fool’s Day. Where April Fool’s Day originated is in dispute, but one theory blames the French. The story goes that, in the late 16th century, Charles the IX introduced the Gregorian Calendar and New Year’s Day was moved from March 25th - April 1st (New Year’s week), to January 1. Without the speed of today’s technology to instantly spread the news, it took several years before everyone became aware of the amended date for New Year’s. Thus, people continued to celebrate New Year’s on April 1. Then, when the change became common knowledge, some people refused to accept the change and continued to celebrate the New Year in April. Those who had adopted the Gregorian Calender labeled those who hadn’t, “fools” and often subjected them to ridicule and practical jokes, a favourite of which was to send the non-conformists on “fool errands,” i.e. invitations to nonexistent parties. Over time, April Fool’s Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating in its own way. Today in France, children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their backs. When the young victim discovers this trick, the prankster yells “Poisson d’Avril!” (April Fish!) , so called because a young naive fish is easily caught. The Brits are too prim and proper to waste a whole day on Tom Foolery, so tricks can be played only in the morning. If a trick is played on you, you are a “noodle”. The Scots, on the other hand, are happy to celebrate over two days. The custom is known as “hunting the gowk” (the cuckoo), and April fools are “April gowks”. The second day, called Taily Day, is devoted to pranks involving the buttocks. You can blame the Scots for originating the “kick me” sign. Even the media has been known to get involved in April Fool’s pranks, usually by reporting a ridiculous, yet strangely believable story. For instance, a British short film once shown on April Fool’s Day was a fairly detailed documentary about Swiss “spaghetti farmers” and how they harvest their crop from the spaghetti trees. In the 1950s, a Dutch television news program reported that the Tower of Pisa had fallen, instigating a flood of calls from concerned viewers. And corporate America loves a good April Fool’s joke, too. In 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying left-handed patrons could get a ‘special’ Whopper - the condiments were designed to drip out of the right side! It’s hard not to be impressed by a well thought out April Fool’s prank, even when you are the butt of it. But rest assured, North of 50 will not be playing any jokes this year. Nope. We, here at North of 50, will be breaking out the champagne and toasting the New Year! Email TJ at editor@northof50.com |
NavigationMainPast Issues Job Opportunities at North of 50 Writer's Guidelines Advertise With Us Franchising Opportunities (Coming Soon!) Contact Us Subscriptions 2007 PromotionsTravel Advertising CalendarBoating Editorial Calendar Interior Provincial Exhibition Government ServicesCanada Revenue AgencyCanada Pension Plan Guaranteed Income Supplement Public Health Agency Interior Health Retirement LivingHousing Guide - Coming Soon! | ||
®