April Fools’ Day on April 1 is a day where many of us unleash our most creative sides, all in a hilarious – sometimes over-the-top – attempt at bamboozling those around us. Why do we do this, and where did it start? Well, there surprisingly isn’t a concrete conclusion by historians. We’ll explore the possibilities below, but nevertheless, every spring we all put on our pranking caps to plan out the most devious and diabolical, yet safe and playful pranks we can think of, making this 24 hours possibly the most fun, exciting, and anxiety-filled day of the year!
Here are some April Fools' Day statistics:
TOP 5 PEOPLE AMERICANS PLAN TO PRANK ON APRIL FOOLS'
20%-Spouse/significant other
20%-Friend
15%-My kid(s)
12%-Co-worker
9%-Mom
TOP 3 MOST POPULAR REACTIONS TO PRANKING
45%-Smile and say, "That was a good one"
31%-Prank them back
10%-Get mad but get over it
TOP 3 PRANKS AMERICANS PLAN TO PLAY ON APRIL FOOLS' DAY
#1: Mind game prank (e.g. gradually moving someone's desk until it's far from its original spot) (17%)
#2: Scare tactics (e.g. rubber snake in a chair) (17%)
#3: Lying prank (e.g. saying you're pregnant (17%)
FULL RANKING OF PRANKS AMERICANS PLAN TO PLAY ON APRIL FOOLS’ DAY
#1: Mind game prank (e.g. gradually moving someone’s desk until it’s far from its original spot) (17%)
#2: Scare tactics (e.g. rubber snake in a chair) (17%)
#3: Lying prank (e.g. saying you’re pregnant (17%)
#4: Prank phone call (13%)
#5: Food-related prank (e.g. toothpaste in an Oreo)
#6: Make it inaccessible prank (e.g. fridge taped up, phone in Jello) (11%)
#7: Elaborate, well-thought-out prank that I film on camera and post to YouTube (7%)
#8: Toilet-related prank (e.g. fake poop in coffee cup) (6%)
FULL RANKING OF PEOPLE AMERICANS PLAN TO PRANK ON APRIL FOOLS’ DAY
#1: Spouse/significant other (20%)
#2: Friend (20%)
#3: My kid(s) (15%)
#4: Co-worker (12%)
#5: Mom (9%)
#6: Boss (5%)
#7: Dad (5%)
#8: Neighbor (5%)
#9: Roommate (4%)
#10: Pet (3%)
#11: Teacher (2%)
#12: Enemy (2%)
FULL RANKING OF MOST POPULAR REACTIONS TO PRANKING
#1: Smile and say, “That was a good one” (45%)
#2: Prank them back (31%)
#3: Get mad but get over it (10%)
#4: No reaction (poker face) (7%)
#5: Quietly fume (5%)
#6: Terminate friendship and never talk to that person again (2%)