April Fools

Today is April Fools Day. There is some difference of opinion on when this observance first began, theories beginning with Chaucer's "Nun's Priest Tale" in 1392 (seems like only yesterday) and many others. But I have always been a proponent of Chaucer as the first writer to make literary reference to April Fools Day.

There is some confusion in the wording, it's always that way when you look back at older writing. Styles of grammar change with time. You need only to look at our Constitution to verify the conflicting interpretations of older English when compared to todays version of the language. (Just look at the 27th Amendent and you will see what I mean.)

In "Nun's Priest Tales", Chaucer tells the story of the vain cock who falls for the tricks of a fox, and as a result is almost eaten alive. In the following verse is the reference to April First,the day on which the story is supposed to have occurred;

"When that the monthe in which the world bigan
That highte March, whan God first maked man,
Was complet, and passed were also
Syn March bigan thritty dayes and two."

With March having 31 days it is a simple matter of arithmetic to arrive at April 1st.The confusion seems to be in the line about March being complete. No matter, it's April Fools Day, so go out and do something silly. It will make the world smile!