The first of April is a special day， on which practical jokes may be played without punishment. The origin of the custom is uncertain， but it seems to have come about in France as a result of the change in 1582.
In sixteenth century France， the start of the new year was observed on April first. It was celebrated① in much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. Then in 1582， Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar② for the Christian world， and the new year fell on January first. There were some people， however， who hadn’t heard or didn’t believe the change in the date， so they continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them “April Fools”.
In France today， children fool their friends by taping③ a paper fish to their friends backs. When the “young fool” discovers this trick， the prankster yells “April Fish！” Today American play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the same day.
① celebratev. 庆祝，过节
② calendarn. 历书，日历
③ tapev. 用胶布把……粘劳
愚人节的来历
4月1日是个特殊的日子。那天，人们可以恶作剧，却不被惩罚。此传统的来历不详，不过似乎起源于法国1582年的一次变故。
16世纪，法国的新年是从4月1日开始的，其庆祝方式和今天差不多，也是聚会，跳舞跳到深夜。1582年，教皇格利高利颁布了基督教徒的新历法，把新年规定在1月1日。但是，总有一些人没听说或者不相信日子的变动，所以他们就继续在4月1日庆祝新年。那些知道的人们就捉弄他们，叫他们“四月愚人”。
如今，法国的小孩仍旧往他们的小朋友背上贴纸鱼，以此愚弄他们。一旦被愚弄的小孩发现了这把戏，调皮的孩子们就会起哄，叫唤“愚人鱼！”现在，美国人也在4月1日这一天和朋友或是陌生人开些类似的玩笑。