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Dakota Midday: April Fools' Day

BBC

The origin of April 1st as a day for pranks and practical jokes is something of a mystery. The most commonly cited explanation is that it goes back to the 1500s when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, moving the new year from April to January. People in rural areas who were slow to get the news and continued to celebrate New Year in the spring were called April Fools. But this story is something of a hoax itself. There are references to April 1st as a day for pranks and jokes that date well before the 16th century.

But whatever its origins, the custom continues. And with the advent of the internet and social media, pranks and hoaxes now reach a worldwide audience. Advertisers who had been wary of participating in April Fools' Day are now creating hoax videos for products.

Alex Boese is curator of the onlineMuseum of Hoaxes in San Diego, California. He joined Dakota Midday and discussed the history of April Fools' Day and some classic hoaxes, including the Swiss spaghetti harvest.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.