2026年愚人节是4月1日（星期三），农历为二月十四。在部分国家如法国，这一天也被称为Poisson d'avril（四月鱼）。
愚人节英文介绍
Overview
April Fools' Day, also known as All Fools' Day, is a lighthearted festival celebrated on April 1st in many countries. It is a day when people play practical jokes, hoaxes, and pranks on one another for fun. The origins of the day are unclear, with several theories linking it to historical calendar changes, ancient festivals, or the arrival of spring.
Origins and History
Calendar Change Theory: One of the most popular explanations traces back to 16th-century France. In 1564, King Charles IX adopted the Gregorian calendar, moving New Year's Day from April 1st to January 1st. Those who continued to celebrate the new year in April were mocked as "April fools," and the tradition of playing tricks on them spread.
Other Theories: Some historians link the day to ancient Roman festivals like Hilaria (around March 21), while others associate it with the vernal equinox, when unpredictable weather "fools" people. These theories suggest the day may have roots in pre-Christian spring celebrations.
How It’s Celebrated
United Kingdom: Jokes are typically played only in the morning. After midday, it’s considered bad luck to continue, and anyone who forgets this becomes an "April Fool" themselves. A common prank is sending someone on a "fool’s errand"—a pointless task designed to trick them.
France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, and French-speaking regions of Canada and Switzerland: The day is known as "Poisson d'avril" ("April Fish"). A classic prank involves sticking a paper fish on someone’s back without them noticing.
United States and Elsewhere: Simple pranks like telling a friend their shoelaces are untied or putting salt in the sugar bowl are popular. Media outlets and companies sometimes join in, publishing fake news or announcing humorous "products." For example, in 1957, the BBC aired a segment about Swiss farmers harvesting spaghetti from trees, fooling many viewers.
Key Terms and Phrases
Prank: A playful trick or hoax (e.g., "He played a prank on his friend by hiding his phone.").
Hoax: A deceptive act intended to fool people (e.g., "The newspaper published a hoax story about a UFO sighting.").
Fool’s Errand: A pointless task given as a joke (e.g., "Sending someone to find ‘left-handed scissors’ is a classic fool’s errand.").
Gotcha: An exclamation meaning "I tricked you!" (e.g., "I replaced your coffee with decaf… gotcha!") .
