The origin of April Fool's Day

There are different versions as to the origin of April Fool's Day.The most widespread theory links the day to Gregorian calendar reform while others involve mythological legends or anthropological explanations.

關于“愚人節”的來源有各種不同的說法，有人說與一群不愿接受公歷紀年的法國保守者有關；也有人說它來源于紀念豐收女神的女兒被誘拐到地獄；還有人說，這個節日始于英國一個名叫“愚人村”的天才村民；另一些說法則認為春天的天氣變化無常，因此人們在春分前后可以選擇某一日顛倒乾坤，以荒誕的鬧劇來迎接春神的到來...至于哪種說法更為可信，全憑您“拭目”定奪嘍！

 April Fool's dictionary

Has it ever occurred to you that the word "fool" is used in many different and often contradictory ways? The Bible says "speak not in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words," but Shakespeare often used "fools" in his plays as vehicles for wisdom and telling the truth.

不要小看Fool，它可是大有學問的吆。《圣經》中有很多關于“愚人”的有趣表達，如:“不要跟傻子說話，他只會鄙夷智者的言論”。在莎翁的戲劇里，Fool也常常出現，但這時的“愚人”可不是傻子而是絕頂聰明的“宮廷小丑”，他拿愚蠢作護身符說出一般人不愿說出的真話，很應了我們漢語中“大智若愚”的至理名言。

 Trickery in April Fool's day

April Fool's Day is the only day of the year when you can play tricks on people and needn't worry about them getting angry! Here we also introduce to you some moderate pranks. Just remember, play safe and have fun!

4月1日，一年中一個既特別又讓人膽戰心驚的節日，不知這一天會有多少神經細胞因勞神過度而含冤死去。今年的愚人節，我們除了向您介紹四個獨具特色的慶祝方式之外，不得不緊隨時代需要推薦三個無傷大雅的惡作劇。在您釋放心情的一霎那，愿您的朋友也能開懷一笑！ 
 



 Enchanting April Fool's postcard

It is said that early April is the season for yong fish. Not only are they easier to catch, but they are more tender and fresh in early April than in other seasons. Accordingly, the yong fish makes a perfect mascot for April Fool's Day. These fish postcards will bring you hours of fun and entertainment. Come on, take a look!

人們說，初春的魚兒味道最鮮美也最容易上鉤，不言而喻，笨笨的魚兒應是四月愚人節的主角。我們精選了幾張獨具特色的“魚兒”明信片，在您玩膩了費盡心思的“愚”人游戲之后，不妨進入我們“特別關注”的最后一個環節——輕輕松松欣賞嬉戲耍樂的魚兒，愚人節“不愚人”又何嘗不是一種獨具特色的慶祝方式呢？

(中國日報網站編譯)