what is sending someone on an April Fool’s Day joke on April 1 ?
The phrase “sending someone on an April Fool’s Day joke” comes from a tradition in German-speaking countries and other cultures. It means tricking someone with a joke or a false task, especially on April 1st, which is April Fool’s Day. This day is when people play harmless pranks on each other.
The tradition might have started long ago, in the Middle Ages or Renaissance. One story says that before 1582, the new year began on April 1st in many places. When the calendar changed, people who still celebrated the new year on April 1st were teased and called fools. This led to the custom of playing tricks on that day.
In Germany, people say “jemanden auf den ersten April schicken” to describe sending someone on a silly or fake errand as a joke. For example, a person might tell a friend, “Go to the store; they have free chocolate!” But when the friend gets there, it’s not true. It’s just a fun trick for April Fool’s Day.
This tradition is a playful way to celebrate the day, and it shows how people enjoy laughter and surprises on April 1st.
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Definitions :
- A fool: Someone who does silly things or believes things that are not true.
- Joke: Something funny you say or do to make people laugh.
- To trick someone: To fool someone by making them believe something that is not real.
- A task: A job or something you need to do.
- Harmless: Something that doesn’t hurt anyone or cause any damage.
- Pranks: Little tricks or jokes you play on people to surprise them, usually for fun.
- To celebrate: To have a happy time because of a special day or event.
- To tease: To make fun of someone in a light, not mean way.
- An errand: A short trip to do something, like going to the store.
- Playful: Happy and fun, like when you’re joking or not being serious.
- To enjoy: To like something and have fun with it.
- A surprise: Something unexpected that happens or that you give to someone.
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Here are 10 statements, with 5 correct and 5 incorrect:
- April Fool’s Day is a day for jokes.
- The phrase started in English-speaking countries.
- Some people once celebrated New Year on April 1st.
- The calendar changed in 1782.
- Germans say “jemanden auf den ersten April schicken” for pranking.
- April Fool’s Day began in the 2000s.
- A prank example: telling someone a store gives free chocolate.
- April Fool’s Day is for giving gifts.
- People enjoy laughing and being surprised on April 1st.
- Only Germany and Austria celebrate April Fool’s Day.
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Here are 10 multiple-choice questions – more than one answer may be correct:
- What is April Fool’s Day about?
a) Playing jokes
b) Giving gifts
c) Telling lies
d) Having fun - Where did the phrase “sending someone on an April Fool’s joke” come from?
a) Germany
b) France
c) England
d) Austria - What might be an April Fool’s prank?
a) Telling a friend a store has free chocolate
b) Throwing a big party
c) Sending someone on a silly task
d) Buying a gift for a friend - When did some people celebrate New Year before the calendar changed?
a) April 1st
b) January 1st
c) December 31st
d) March 1st - What does the German phrase “jemanden auf den ersten April schicken” mean?
a) To give someone a present
b) To send someone on a joke errand
c) To tell a funny story
d) To make someone laugh - Which countries celebrate April Fool’s Day?
a) Germany
b) Only Austria
c) Many countries
d) Only the U.S. - When did the calendar change that may have started April Fool’s Day?
a) 1582
b) 1782
c) 2000
d) 1700 - How do people feel about April Fool’s Day?
a) Happy
b) Angry
c) Surprised
d) Excited - Which of these is true about April Fool’s Day?
a) It started in the Middle Ages or Renaissance
b) It is a serious holiday
c) It is only for children
d) It is for playing tricks - What do people enjoy on April 1st?
a) Laughter
b) Surprises
c) Giving speeches
d) Playing pranks
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Complete (words at end of exercise):
- April Fool’s Day is a ___________ for jokes.
- People ___________ harmless tricks on April 1st.
- The __________ “sending someone on an April Fool’s joke” comes from Germany.
- Some people once ____________ New Year on April 1st.
- The __________changed around 1582.
- Germans say “jemanden auf den ersten April schicken” to mean tricking _____________.
- A common __________ is telling someone false information.
- Many countries ____________April Fool’s Day.
- April Fool’s Day is for ________ and laughter.
- People __________ surprises on April 1st.
a) celebrate b) day c) someone d) celebrated e) phrase f) enjoy g) calendar h) fun i) play j) prank
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Which words are we looking for?
