What is the meaning of april fool?

Ah, April Fool's Day—the one day a year where lying is basically a civic duty! It's all about harmless pranks and hoaxes on April 1st, rooted in old traditions of flipping expectations. Picture this: back in 16th-century France, folks who didn't switch their New Year's from late March/April to January 1 got mocked as "April fools" with silly gifts. Fast-forward, and it's global fun—think fake news headlines or whoopee cushions. But hey, the real meaning? A reminder to laugh at ourselves and not take life too seriously. Got pranked this year? Share your story below! For the full history, Britannica's got you covered.