The April fool joke refers to the custom carried out on the 1st of April. This day first evolved when false information or made up (often wonderous) trick stories were told to fellow men. The targets are (sometimes gullible) family members, friends and work colleagues etc.

Jokes are played out in newspapers, magazines, on the radio and television and even sometimes on web pages. It is extremely common for the reader or listener to see or hear exceptionally fabricated stories whereby the most exaggerated details are relayed to a very attentive recipient who believes every word to be entirely true.

April fool jokes are common in most European countries.In some countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Australia, Cyprus and South Africa, traditionally, jokes are played only until noon. If someone plays a practical joke after noon, it is called an "April fool" but taunts are shouted "April fool’s day past and gone, you're a fool for making one"!

In countries such as France, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, Ireland and the United States, pranks are played out all day. In France and Italy, kids (and adults if appropriate) stick paper fish on each other's backs as a prank and shout: "April Fish!"

The first of April is approaching and we suggest you keep your eyes and ears wide open on this day…as maybe someone will try to fool you….