april fool

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose

Any one imposed on, or sent on a bootless errand, on the first of April; which day it is the custom among the lower people, children, and servants, by dropping empty papers carefully doubled up, sending persons on absurd messages, and such like contrivances, to impose on every one they can, and then to salute them with the title of April Fool. This is also practised in Scotland under the title of Hunting the Gowke.

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose

← apple-pye bed   ×   apron string hold →

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