By Paula Green

The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.
–Mark Twain

Are you a practical joker who looks forward to the spring celebration of April Fool’s Day on April 1? If so, do you know where this custom originated? Unfortunately, the answer is really uncertain. It is, however, believed to have started in France in 1582 when the Gregorian calendar was adopted by King Charles IX. In this calendar, the new year started on January 1, instead of April 1 like its predecessor. People who did not use the new date were labeled “fools” by the general populace. They were subject to ridicule and were often sent on “fool’s errands” or were made the brunt of other practical jokes.

But according to John Updike – “Looking foolish does the spirit good.” There are plenty of cool “fool” songs that harmonize with his case.

Elvis hastened to believe that Only Fools Rush In; while the Beatles mounted up Fool on the Hill and Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis pondered What Kind of Fool Am I? Furthermore, cupid’s arrow hit Elvin Bishop with Fooled Around and Fell in Love, Steve Perry entertained us with Foolish Heart, and Frankie Lymon questioned Why Do Fools Fall in Love?

Frank Zappa figured he was a Dancing Fool, while Aaron Nelville concluded that Everybody Plays the Fool. To add to the music, Foghat urbanized Fool for the City, Bob Seger launched Ship of Fools, and The Doobie Brothers concluded What A Fool Believes.

On to the movie front we saw – Nobody’s Fool, Fools Rush In, Fool’s Gold, Henry Fool, Ship of Fools, Aprils Fool’s Day, May Fools, Fools of Fortune, Only Fools and Horses, Why Do Fools Fall in Love?

There are also plenty of “foolish” proverbs: “No fool like and old fool,” “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me,” “A fool and his money are soon parted.” And here’s one final one from Lord Byron – “I’ll publish, right or wrong: Fools are my theme, let satire be my song.”

Since we have finished with all this tomfoolery, we must now concentrate on some “thought-fool” questions, because it is time to get a little trivial...

1. What musical group sang the song Foolin’?

2. Name this Chris Rea popular hit.

3. This Love Story actress was born on April 1, 1938.

4. This (late) Washington Redskins player was born on April 1, 1983.

5. Who’s know for saying “I pity the fool…?”

6. This children’s television channel started on April 1, 1979.

7. On April 1st, 1891, what famous company was founded in Chicago, Illinois?

8. Who stated: “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time?”

9. Who was the male lead in the1997 movie Fools Rush In?

10. This Academy Award winner starred in Why Do Fools Fall in Love?

11. Which “foolish” movie did Paul Newman star in?

12. What country serves up fool dessert, which is a mixture of pureed fruit, whipped cream and whipped egg whites?

13. This country says, “April Fish” instead of “April Fool’s.”

14. What is the name of the commercial website about stocks, investing and personal finance?

15. This actress was born on April 1, 1932. (Hint: She will be featured at St. Barnabas’ Founder’s Day celebration on April 24.)

Sources:

http://wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm, http://www.funtrivia.com,
www.tnl.net/when/4/1, http://www.imdb.com/title, www.amazon.com,
www.wikipedia.com, http://www.leoslyrics.com

Answers:

1. Def Leppard 2. Fool (If You Think It’s Over) 3. Ali McGraw 4.Sean Taylor 5. Mr. T. 6. Nickelodeon 7. Wrigley 8. AMatthew Perry 10. Halle Berry 11. Nobody’s Fool 12. England 13. France 14. Motley fool 15. Debbie Reynolds

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