When you least expect it, the phrase will ring out in a sing-song voice: “April Fool!” Giggles will proclaim you’re the unsuspecting victim of a prank. Or maybe you’re the schemer, stifling a laugh as you stalk your prey.

Have you ever wondered how April Fools’ Day started?

Five hundred years ago, New Year’s day was celebrated the week of March 25 – April 1. After the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s day was moved to January 1. But not everyone got the message right away. And some people refused to believe or accept the change. Some continued to celebrate the new year on April 1. These people were sent on “fools’ errands” such as purchasing supplies for non-existent New Year’s parties. As time passed, they became the butt of other pranks and jokes.

Turns out this “holiday” is not limited to any one country. In the United States, people play pranks such as filling salt shakers with sugar or tying someone’s shoelaces together. In France, “victims” are targeted by having a paper fish pinned to their back. When they discover the prank, the trickster shouts “Poisson d’Avril!” (April Fish!) – a comparison to young fish which have less experience at avoiding being caught. Other countries celebrate similar practices on different days.

While April Fools’ day is celebrated in good fun, the Bible has a lot to say about fools – and none of it is complimentary. Here are just a few verses:

• “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 53:1 NIV).
• “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18 NIV).
• “A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence” (Proverbs 15:5 NIV).
• “To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool” (Proverbs 17:21 NIV).

April Fools’ Day jokes can be fun, but we need to remember—and teach our children, too—there’s nothing fun about being a real fool.