介绍愚人节的英语文章.
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ORIGIN: the exact origin of April Fool's Day isn't known, but many think it began in France around 1582 with the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar, which is the most widely used calendar today. In previous calendars, New Year's Day was between March 25 and April 1. Many people refused to change the New Year's celebration day and were dubbed "fools." They were sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played on them.
起源:四月愚人节的确切起源已不可考,不过很多人认为这个节日是起源于1582年前后的法国,在公历被引进之后——公历就是我们到今天还在使用的历法。在早先的历法中,新年是在3月25日和4月1日之间的。很多人不愿意改变新年的日子,就被叫做“愚人”。会有人给这些人发“愚人信”,发请帖请他们参加不存在的庆祝活动,还会成为恶作剧的对象。
《新概念英语》第二册 Lesson 76 April Fools' Day是什么意思?文章意思明白,但不明白为什么叫愚人节?
愚人节
The History of April Fools' Day
"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year."
--Mark Twain
Unlike most of the other nonfoolish holidays, the history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring.
The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1.
However, communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1. These backward folk were labeled as "fools" by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes.
This harassment evolved, over time, into a tradition of prank-playing on the first day of April. The tradition eventually spread to England and Scotland in the eighteenth century. It was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool's Day thus developed into an international fun fest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families.
In Scotland, for example, April Fool's Day is actually celebrated for two days. The second day is devoted to pranks involving the posterior region of the body. It is called Taily Day. The origin of the "kick me" sign can be traced to this observance.
Mexico's counterpart of April Fool's Day is actually observed on December 28. Originally, the day was a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the innocent children by King Herod. It eventually evolved into a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.
Pranks performed on April Fool's Day range from the simple, (such as saying, "Your shoe's untied!), to the elaborate. Setting a roommate's alarm clock back an hour is a common gag. Whatever the prank, the trickster usually ends it by yelling to his victim, "April Fool!"
Practical jokes are a common practice on April Fool's Day. Sometimes, elaborate practical jokes are played on friends or relatives that last the entire day. The news media even gets involved. For instance, a British short film once shown on April Fool's Day was a fairly detailed documentary about "spaghetti farmers" and how they harvest their crop from the spaghetti trees.
April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" observance. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but a holiday on which one must remain forever vigilant, for he may be the next April Fool
愚人节英文作文
【愚人节英文作文篇一】 Nowadays, there appears a phenomenon that the western customs are spreading into the east countries step by step, thus making many inhabitants who live in big cities enjoy themselves on these western festivals such as Christmas Day, April Fool’s Day, etc. Such phenomenon shows us that the world people are getting close gradually and the world is becoming smaller and smaller as well. Therefore, in my opinion, it’s a normal phenomenon s well as a necessary trend. First of all, it shows that we Chinese have become much opener rather than clinging to some very old customs, which are opposite our living. Looking back on the history, we can find the answer to why our China was very poor and weak in the 1800’s. Yes, the answer is that we closed ourselves not to let other countries know about us, and this led us to a very hard road on which we suffered many wars that many European countries launched. So I think it is more than necessary to accept other customs instead of closing ourselves. Of course, festivals are just the beginning. What’s more, the Open and Reform Policy results in this. So I want to say it is a great achievement for the policy. Since we took the policy into practice, our country is developing with a rapid speed. No doubt it is an essential trend. Last but not the least, we may get closer and closer not only to our home friends but also to many foreigners. We can never feel embarrassed for not knowing the other’s customs and manners. And more misunderstandings can be avoided as well. To sum up, the trend has its great advantage to a certain extent. However, if we admire the western customs too much, it will be a disadvantage because China is our own country, all of us should enjoy a patriotic heart. Wish in the near future, we can see the situation that westerners are enjoying themselves on the Spring Festival. 【愚人节英文作文篇二】 History expeeerts say people have been celebrating April Fool's day for a long time , There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar.Fools Day is an environmental demonstration day. It occurs on April 1. The name is a play on the term fossil fuels and April Fools' Day. Fossil Fools Day began in 2004 with coordinated actions across the United States and Canada.Subsequent Fossil Fools Days have been held in many cities around the world, and are generally organized by one or more environmental organizations with funding from Energy Action Coalition and Rising Tide. Events are held in many cities around the world. These events oppose energy derived from fossil fuels, promote education about alternative sources of energy, encourage support for climate justice, strong legislation, corporate responsibility and a clean renewable energy future. Now April Fool's Day has been festival of naughty boys already mainly in USA, people like to tell white lies,The most representative activity of April Fool's Day is still that everybody jokes each other , uses lie to make fun of the other party however,One common trick on April Fool's Day, or All Fool's Day, is pointing down to a friend's shoe and saying, Your shoelace is untied