Some historians trace April Fool’s Day back to France in the late 16th Century. France converted to the Gregorian Calendar in 1582. Under the Julian Calendar, French people celebrated New Year’s Day on April 1 in conjunction with the spring equinox. With the switch, the French who continued that were considered to be slow thinkers. They became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. One popular prank was referred to as “poisson d’avril” (fish of April) referring to easily caught fish. Paper fish would be put on a person’s back to the merriment of Jan. 1 celebrants.
Around 1700 (some historians specify April 1, 1700), the British started what can be described as the modern version of April Fool’s Day. The Brits had a tradition called “hunting the gowk”. A gowk was a cuckoo bird. On April 1 you would send the village idiots on phony errands. You would taunt the rube with “April Fool!” It was two-day affair as the next day (Tailie Day) was reserved for pranks involving asses. The word serves a dual role as the pranks included placing fake tails on victims and “kick me” signs. Let’s bring back Tailie Day!
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/april-fools-day
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools%27_Day
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