Comic Stimulus
by Vera H-C ChanMar 31, 2008
1 Vote
Tuesday is April Fools' Day, and a slowed economy, serious politicking, and global turbulence may be driving people to seek comic stimulus. Online research into April tomfoolery is up 40% over last year.
In the past 7 days, searches have soared 302% for "practical jokes" (as opposed to impractical jokes), 344% for "april fools' jokes," and another 1,564% for "april fools' pranks."Get ready to file the workplace harassment claims: Your sacrosanct place of productivity isn't inviolable. Worker bees are investigating "april fools' office pranks" and "office pranks." You won't be able to answer a phone call without wondering if you'll hear "prank call soundboards."
In the spirit of public service, beware these April fools:
- Youth means guile. Sweet-faced, female pre-teens prone to uncontrolled giggling should be approached with extreme caution.
- Don't trust them when they're older either: Conspiratorial women 35-44 make up 1 out of 10 pranksters. However, ladies 45-54 are more likely to be into verbal wit then short-sheeting.
- Biggest gathering of April Fools? Depends. Folks most into "april fools day" hail from Wisconsin. However, Pennsylvanians led queries into jokes and pranks. Must be all that pre-primary stress.
- Media conspiracies. Slate has come out with its April Fool's self-defense kit, although searchers have already been checking out "snopes hoaxes" to educate themselves against mass manipulation. Meanwhile, Wired panders to readers with its top 10 nerdy pranks.
- Did you hear the one about... If you're going to tell a joke, avoid ones about dumb blondes, people's mothers, and Chuck Norris. Everyone has been reading them online already—and don't come crying when Chuck Norris' mom comes to kick your sorry patootie for making fun of her boy.