April fool! (april, 1)

There's a spot on your nose! Did you look to see? If you did, April fool! The joke is on you.

If you have a trick played on you in the United States, you are an "April fool." In England, you might be called a "noddy," which means a "fool" or "simpleton." But if you live in England, don't try to play any tricks in the afternoon of All Fools' Day. In England, tricks are played only till noon. If you do try to play a trick in the afternoon, you will probably hear this shout:

"Up the ladder and down the wall,

You're the greatest fool of all!"

In Scotland, a person who is fooled by being sent on some foolish errand – such as finding a left-handed monkey wrench – is said to be "hunting the gowk." Gowk means "cuckoo" or "simpleton."

The custom of playing harmless tricks on April 1 is said to have begun in France more than four hundred years ago. At that time, *Jew Year's Day was March, 25. Celebrations went on through April, 1, at which time people exchanged New Year's gifts.

Then, the French adopted a new calendar. New Year's Day was switched from March, 25 to January, 1. This confused many people for a long time. On April, 1 those who remembered the switch began to play tricks on those who forgot.

And in France, a person who is fooled is called a poisson d'Avril, which means "April fish." Why a "fish"? No one is quite sure. Perhaps it is because in April fish are young and easily caught. In France, as a special treat, you can buy chocolate fish on April Fools' Day.

Maypoles and parades (may, 1)

In many countries, the first of May is May Day – a day to welcome spring. People gather flowers and dance, often around a Maypole.

May Day came to the United States from England – but it was brought to England by the ancient Romans. In Rome, there was a day in spring when the young men paraded through the city, carrying a pine tree. There was also a festival to honor Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. When the Romans conquered England, the pine tree became a Maypole.

On May Day in England, the pole was set up on the village green and decorated with flowers and ribbons. A May Queen was picked and crowned with flowers. Villagers danced around the Maypole, holding the ends of ribbons that hung from the pole. As they danced, they wove the ribbons in and out.

In time, some people thought the merrymakers worshiped the Maypole. For a while, the Maypole was forbidden by law. Bui it reappeared later. To this day, children in parts of England and elsewhere still sing and dance around the Maypole on May Day.

Cheese rolling

Of all Britain's famous customs and traditions, cheese rolling is probably the strangest – and certainly the most spectacular.

Every year, large crowds of people gather at Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire to watch the Cheese Rolling Championship.

A group of brave (and crazy) people roll a large cheese down the hill, and then run down after it. In theory, competitors must catch the cheese, but as it can reach speeds up to 70 miles an hour, this rarely happens.

Cheese Rolling is one of the old­est customs in Great Britain. It's been going on for hundreds of years and nobody knows for sure when it first started.

The master of the ceremonies must wear a white coat, ribbons and a top hat. He starts the event with the traditional signal: 'One to be ready, two to be steady, three to prepare – and FOUR to be off.'

In the past the cheese-rolling day also included a fair that took place at the top of the hill.

Four races are held on the day: three for men and one for women. There are also uphill races for children.

Cheese Rolling is a dangerous sport. There is usually an ambu­lance at the event – to treat people with sprained ankles, black eyes and sometimes more serious injuries.

Oh, and what's the prize for win­ning in this 'extreme' sport? You get to keep the cheese!