Quick Study

Whetheryou paste a Kick Me sign on some poor slob's back or pull off an elaborate corporate hoax, April 1 is a day when it's acceptable to play practical jokes on your family, neighbors, colleagues, friends, and enemies. What are you waiting for?
FISHY STORY
Although not all April Fools' experts agree (yes, they exist), some argue the day originated in 16th-century France, when Pope Gregory XIII mandated thatthe new year begin on January i
instead of the end of March. Those who failed to follow the ^H^l new calendar were dubbed April fish. Others claim it originated from ancient spring festivals that included mischief making.

SPAGHETTI HARVEST CAUSES A STIR
Arguably, the greatest prank ever perpetrated was pulled off a half-century ago by BBC TV. In ¹957> the news show Panorama reported that thanks to a mild winter, Swiss farmers enjoyed a bumper crop of spaghetti. To prove this, it broadcast a three-minute report of field hands carefully plucking, or "harvesting," strands of spaghetti from trees. Legions of viewers were duped, and many called the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their very own spaghetti trees. The BBC advised each caller: "Place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce, and hope for the best."