The Scots appear to have enthusiastically embraced April Fools Day earlier than the British. They developed a tradition known as hunting the gowk (gowk being a term for a cuckoo bird). To be sent on a gowk hunt meant to be sent on a fools errand. The victim would be asked to deliver a note that, unbeknownst to him, read, Never laugh, never smile, Hunt the gowk another mile. Recipients of this note would duly redirect the poor victim somewhere else until they had been run all over town. The Scots also prolong the April Foolery by celebrating Taily Day on April 2nd. This day is set aside for rump-related jokes, such as pinning paper tails on peoples posteriors. There was also a strict custom in all countries that the foolery could begin at midnight of April 1 but had to end by noon. Pranksters who failed to observe this rule themselves became the April Fools.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 18:27:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015