We love the beginning of April—not just because it marks the midpoint of spring, but also for the sense of mischief, light‑hearted fun, and shared laughter that comes with April Fools’ Day. Here in Britain, we eagerly await the annual wave of spoof newspaper headlines, tongue‑in‑cheek TV reports, and cleverly crafted hoax news stories that never fail to entertain and bring a smile to our faces. Yet this playful tradition isn’t unique to us. April Fools’ Day is celebrated in many corners of the globe, each place adding its own customs, jokes, and rituals to the occasion.
Given that our remarkable women hail from numerous countries and diverse cultural backgrounds, it seems fitting to examine how this playful day is celebrated worldwide—and to uncover the creatively playful ways people everywhere engage in good-natured pranks.
A Surprising History of Jokes and Pranks
France: April Fools’ Day dates back to medieval France. Until the 16th century, the New Year started on April 1st. When King Charles IX moved the New Year to January 1st, some people continued celebrating it in April, leading others to play pranks on them. Since April was during Lent, when fish was commonly eaten, many jokes involved fake fish. Today, the French celebrate Poisson d’Avril by taping paper fish onto people’s backs, turning them into the ‘April Fish.’
Brazil: Many of our ladies hail from Brazil, where April Fools’ Day is known as ‘o dia das mentiras,’ or the day of lies. Brazilians embrace the fun wholeheartedly, playing pranks and spreading spoof stories in the media. In the 19th century, the satirical newspaper Mentiras became famous for its outlandish articles. These include a notorious fake report about Emperor Pedro’s death—and even a fictional address for creditors to claim their money.
Scotland: Scots, famous for their dry wit, have made the most of April Fools’ Day. In fact, they turn it into a two-day affair. The first is known as ‘Hunt the Gowk Day.’ It involves sending friends on ridiculous errands via sealed messages that keep the fun going. On the second day, participants attach signs to each other’s backs for even more mischief.
Persia: Long before the tradition reached Europe, Persians were marking April 1st as the start of the New Year. Their humour, pranks, and celebrations date back as far as 536 BC. The day is spent outdoors with friends and family, sharing food and laughter. As part of the tradition, Iranians toss away vegetables after their picnic. This is to symbolically rid themselves of bad luck or illness for the year ahead.
April Fools’ Day unites cultures
Around the world, April Fools’ Day certainly brings cultures closer through shared laughter and playful traditions. Therefore, if you love discovering cultural quirks like these, there’s no better way than meeting people from around the globe. Our London escort agency represents the perfect companions to help you explore new traditions in the heart of the city.
