For our main topic this week on You’re Creeping Me Out, Carly is bringing back the lore and telling us about the (mostly unknown) origins of April Fools Day. She also talks about some fun international April Fools Day pranks and traditions from April fish to spaghetti trees to zero gravity. And Cherokee concocts a prank of her own! Be sure to check out our instagram to see how it all unfolded. Listen anywhere you get podcasts and watch on YouTube or Spotify.
April Fools Day has such a rich and quirky history that often surprises people. The tradition of playing pranks on this day stretches back centuries and carries different cultural twists around the world. For example, in France, people stick paper fish on friends’ backs as a prank called "Poisson d’Avril" or April fish, symbolizing gullibility. In the UK, classic tricks often involve sending people on wild goose chases for fake locations or events. One beloved prank reported this year was inspired by the famous BBC spaghetti tree hoax from 1957, where innocent viewers were fooled into believing spaghetti grew on trees. From my experience trying out April Fools pranks with friends and family, the key to a great joke is creativity mixed with kindness—never going too far or causing distress. Interestingly, the episode highlights an important caution about avoiding sensitive jokes, such as fake pregnancy announcements, which can hurt those facing real challenges like fertility issues. Humor should always be inclusive and fun for everyone involved. Another fun trend I’ve noticed is incorporating playful food pranks, like leaving Swedish Fish candies in unexpected places, or taping an actual fish to someone’s desk, a prank that’s been making a comeback thanks to its harmless silliness. The element of surprise combined with simple objects can make the best April Fools jokes. One personal favorite prank I tried recently was putting small notes throughout my friend’s workspace with funny, cryptic messages, inspired by the podcast’s creative spirit. It was lighthearted and sparked a lot of laughter without offending anyone. Beyond just pranks, tuning into the “You’re Creeping Me Out” podcast episode on April Fools Day inspired me to appreciate the lore and customs behind these traditions more deeply—and reminded me that even in today’s digital age, simple, thoughtful jokes can bring joy and connection. So whether you want to tape a fish or spin a whimsical tale about zero gravity, April Fools Day offers endless ways to spread laughter and celebrate togetherness.