Whether or not you like April Fools Day likely depends on perspective. For the prank-ee, it's annoying. For the prankster, it's fun. Making fun of others isn't always funny, but making fun together is very tempting. Consider the more obvious pranks designed to give everyone a chuckle: a scan of today's headlines nationwide shows some editors can't resist the chance to lighten up.

Like it or hate it, what fool elevated the practical joke to a virtual holiday? No one is sure; theories range from the rather boring (new calendar confusion and vernal equinox) to a party scene (Roman cult festival of Hilaria).

Regardless, the stories of foolery hold one thing in common: spring.

Spring is when the official new year used to start, and in many cultures, still is. France in the 16th century switched from the Gregorian to the Julian (Roman) calendar, with its start in January. The story goes that some foolish Frenchmen continued to celebrate near April.

Celebrating spring is a very old notion. The ancient Celts, Greeks and many others held end-of-winter festivals, with the Earth's rebirth symbolizing hope, spiritual events, and life renewed. The festivities often involved dressing up and acting silly (probably after the wine was poured), so scholars point to these generally as April Fools Day sources.

Of course there are the fools themselves - jesters in royal court tradition. While we see jesters as clowns, they began as servants, criminals, students, debtors and shepherds - almost anything. In freer courts they were hecklers of society and ruler, allowed to say things which might have earned punishment if said by anyone else. Cleverness of tongue was the most important qualification.

According to one story, so enamored of his jester was Roman emperor Constantine that he allowed the fool one day to be king. "King Kugel," named after a favorite dish, declared the date would forever be a day of absurdity.

There is no reliable confirmation of that oft-repeated story, but it was first reported in 1983 by the Associated Press. The source was a self-proclaimed "professor emeritus of American humor" at Boston University. Publication date: April 1.

Sholeh Patrick is a skeptical columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact sholehjo@hotmail.com.