April Fools' through the ages, part two

From the archives

April Fools' through the ages, part two

Like many things on Wikipedia, as the website grew, the anarchic fun of the early days started to fade away. Hence, we are starting in 2011, when things were still fun and chaotic. To wit: in 2009 (not even during April Fools' Day, but on a random day in August), a "LOLKeats" was made to explain a poem by John Keats, added to the article, and nominated as a featured picture candidate, with the claim that the articles it's in are "Ode on Indolence – Limited time offer". This wasn't considered disruptive, or worthy of a block: it was all harmless fun. Nowadays, I can't imagine it going over so well as the reversion text being merely "I have to admit I laughed, but lolcat go byebye:)".

I do think Wikipedia has lost some of its fun. That's not a good thing, but it was inevitable. Those early days were collaborative and wild with a heady sense of purpose. We were building the encyclopedia. You could take a famous figure and make them a featured article from very little. I don't think we can ever get those days fully back, and that's the nature of success.

Also, afraid we're going to need a part three. On the upside, this series can be linked to for years to come.

2011:

By far the best joke this year was the choice for Today's Featured Article:

Fanny scratching in 18th-century London's Cock Lane was so notorious that interested bystanders often blocked the street. It became the focus of a religious controversy between Methodists and orthodox Anglicans, and was reported on by celebrities of the period such as Samuel Johnson. Charles Dickens referred to the phenomenon in several of his books, including Nicholas Nickleby and A Tale of Two Cities, and other Victorian authors also alluded to it in their work. One enterprising resident diverted the crowds that gathered in Cock Lane by allowing them to converse with a ghost he claimed was haunting his home, to which he charged an entrance fee. Fanny scratching eventually resulted in several prosecutions, and the pillorying of a father. (more...)

Recently featured: Sir Richard Williams – Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons – Battle of Towton

I don't think "Did you know?" was as on-fire as it usually was, but there were some good ones, including:

... that a typical Labia minor is chocolate brown, up to 7 mm long, and equipped with pincers?
... that recent quantum chemical calculations have established that arsoles are only moderately aromatic?
... that in 2010, three survivors of the Titanic were rescued by the USCGC Chincoteague?
... that a real Bastard commanded Africa in the nineteenth century?
... that a species of crab, Tumidotheres maculatus, has been found living on an asteroid?
... that ice cream grows in Florida?
... that Europe was ruled by a child during the American Revolutionary War?

2012:

After last year, even pigeon photography as today's featured article feels somewhat of a letdown, though the idea of using time-delayed cameras as a sort of early drone photography is fascinating.

In more random places, A request to write e. e. cummings' article entirely in lowercase is great literary humour. Our article on vandalism was nominated for deletion as obvious vandalism. Snow was was also nominated for deletion, but kept per WP:SNOW. There's also this... interesting choice of newspaper for Wikipedia:WikiProject Conservatism's newsfeed.

A few good "Did you know?" entries, including:

Kjærlighetskarusellen, or The Carousel of Love

... that in 2009, the urinal known as "The Carousel of Love" (pictured), a well known place for gay cruising, was declared a Norwegian Cultural Heritage Site?
... that Frank Lloyd Wright designed a dog house—and even its roof leaks?
... that an Italian Protestant fathered The Virgin Mary in 1950?
... that T. vagina have eyes hidden behind their skin?
... that a fish in a fishbowl is in a fish?
... that the United States once fought 32 tons of shark fins, and the fins won?
... that a Baker went into outer space with sea urchin sperm, later receiving a rubber duck and many bananas for her efforts?
... that Nuns can fly at high altitudes?
... that red hot penises can be pickled, but it is recommended one not eat them?
... that people have cut off arms and legs because of Gigli?

The Signpost didn't get into the act that much: The WikiProject report opens thusly:

“

In a hard-hitting exposé that will surely garner a Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism, The Signpost delved into the dark and twisted world of Wikipedia's most powerful media institution: The Signpost.

”

Snake handling service held in Lejunior, Harlan County, Kentucky

...but it then immediately drops the conceit. Honestly, the most interesting thing isn't even an intentional fool, it's the first article in the featured content report:

George Went Hensley (nom) by Mark Arsten and Astynax. George Went Hensley (c. 1880 – 1955) was an American Pentecostal minister credited with popularizing the practice of snake handling in the Southeastern United States. A native of rural Appalachia, Hensley experienced a religious conversion around 1910: he came to believe that the New Testament commanded all Christians to handle venomous snakes. In 1955, he was bitten by a snake and became violently ill. Refusing to seek medical attention, he died the following day.

2013:

The picture of the day for April 1, 2013. I've honestly eyed that one for restoration over and over, not realising it was already a featured picture.

“

Wikipedia is a loose collection of volunteers while the other organizations generally have strict corporate control structures. At a newspaper, an editor can direct a team of individuals to work on a single coordinated effort. The newspaper's management can at the same time ensure that no other part of the organization disrupts this effort or attempts to engage in alternative April Fool's efforts. This level of cooperation and coordination is not possible on Wikipedia. If one person does not agree with a course of action there is little stopping them for branching out and starting a competing effort.

—Allen3

”

That's a quote from our coverage on how some people objected to their serious encyclopedia having any sense of fun to it. And I think it's a good response. We need fun, we need socialisation, we need rewards, or Wikipedia is just a job. 2013 was a pretty good year, despite the naysayers. The featured article for today, in particular, was one of the more unique main pages:

?

The Indonesian film named simply ? was nominated by Crisco 1492, and we actually have an interview with him about his work. Meanwhile, featured lists had the Foot in Mouth award, and we also got the usual fun at Did You Know; highlights below.

Postcard showing a Polish girl about to get a soaking

... that Polish girls (pictured) are getting wet and spanked today, but will have their revenge tomorrow?
... that Shitterton has been voted to be worse than Scratchy Bottom or Brokenwind?
... that Siemens is in Püssi?
... that the Aetherius Society believes that their sacred 1,375-foot (419 m) Brown Willy is full of holy energy?
... that Elvis' greatest shit was dropped in 1982?
... that a Lady twin produced a Bachelor's Double?
... that Wikipedia was discovered in 2008 between Mars and Jupiter?
... that a Norwegian organization established a women's fart team?
... that Chrisye performed a new song, "Eternal Ballad", five years after his death?
... that some schmuck tried to get the U.S. Supreme Court to let him off for mail fraud because all he did was roll back odometers?
... that the voice of blood is violet and makes no sound?

2014:

The picture of the day was a map used to hunt snark, and the featured article was Disco Demolition Night, an infamously ill-fated sports promotion at the end of the disco era.

The 2013 request for comment we quoted a bit of had a dampening effect in some ways. The list of pranks for 2014 is far shorter and tamer than previous years.

However, The Signpost meanwhile started to get into the spirit. I've recently started writing featured content reports in rhyme. This was inspired by the 2 April 2014 featured content, which, not only described everything in rhyme, but also invented stories based on the featured pictures:

The Story of the Family who Couldn't Wear Clothes

These illustrations from Urania's Mirror were restored and nominated by Adam Cuerden

"Is this how you wear things?" asked the mother, struggling gamely with a bit of fabric.
"No, no," replied the father. "You have to pull it over your shoulder, like this."
The daughter tried it. It was half-successful, but the other half caused her to be handcuffed and arrested for public indecency.
Her husband decided that her dress suited him better.

It's honestly one of my favourites ever. Have a read. "Did you know?" also had its usual fun, of which a sampling:

Illustration of a cat with an incendiary device strapped to its back

... that 16th-century artillery master Franz Helm proposed using "rocket cats" (pictured) to attack castles?
... that Biden is believed to be an eccentric frozen pink dwarf?
... that small white breasts smell like aniseed?
... that Canada's new money has been criticized for featuring too much nudity and not enough women?
... that Batman once sued the Commissioner?
... that the Queen of Hell was Jamaican?
... that Amy Garnett is English rugby's most-capped female hooker?

Emblem of Society of Science, Letters and Art

... that in the late 19th century, those academics who used the letters "F.S.Sc." after their names had been duped by a "bogus literary society" (emblem pictured)?
... that a Little Cockup is smaller than a Great Cockup?
... that scientists observed an echo that lasted 65 years?
... that the idea of Santa Claus being shot can be "hilarious"?
... that it is illegal to wear armour in the British Parliament?
... that the novel Southern Cross does not contain any words?
... that William Wallace died inside the Rock of Gibraltar after falling off his bicycle?
... that Béla I of Hungary (bust pictured) was mortally wounded by his throne collapsing under him?

2015:

A drum! A drum! Macbeth has come! ...We really need to stop catering to his fetishes.

—Featured content, April Fools 2015

It's weird looking back at old featured content reports. The layouts before featured pictures became a gallery are odd. But there's a lot of interesting jokes in this one. Including pointing out the plagiarism within classical art.

News and notes, meanwhile, had a lot of fun with 'New edits-by-mail option will "revolutionize" Wikipedia and its editor base':

“

The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) will announce later today that it will begin accepting edits by mail for all of the projects under its scope, including Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Commons. They believe that this move, coming as part of a long-held goal to open up editing to anyone, will "revolutionize" the site by opening up the Wikimedia sites to more potential editors. The initiative will begin on the English Wikipedia, with others to follow soon after.

Details of how this edits by mail initiative will be implemented were not fully revealed as of publishing time, but the WMF's tech ambassador Pennaninn Quell told the Signpost that it will involve post-office boxes posted in many major countries around the world. Letters sent to them will be forwarded to the WMF's San Francisco office by next-day airmail, paid by the organization. "Mail has the disadvantage of taking days rather than seconds," Quell wrote. "We want to limit this competitive disadvantage where possible, and we are easily in a financial position to fully commit to this project." Edits will be processed by a newly created WMF department, which will be given its own C-level head. As a significant demand for this service is expected, a high number of new staff members is expected.

”

Today's featured article, invisible rail, for the first time in years, wasn't a joke, really, or, if it was, gave the joke away so instantaneously that it failed. In article space, Upside-down cake was flipped. Once again, Did you know ruled the main page's celebrations:

... that the front of Alex Chinneck's house (pictured) seems to have slipped?
... that you've just lost The Game?
... that the French paid their soldiers in playing cards?
... that Knightrider premièred in London in 1322?
... that James II lay on his back for a year amid grass and weeds after he was overthrown to make way for Edward VII?
... that Nick Clegg is sorry?
... that the existence of a sea monster in Scotland has finally been proven?
... that Dr. Young's Ideal Rectal Dilators were forcibly withdrawn after officials clamped down on them?
... that in April 2013, a giant alien landed on its head in central London?
... that feminist artists invented the WEB in 1971?
... that a half-naked fakir has taken up residence near Winston Churchill?
... that even balls of kryptonite are no protection from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission?
... that the Crown Prince of Thailand once owned Air Chief Marshal Fufu?
... that God is a billionaire property developer?
... that extraterrestrial spiders have only six legs?
... that during the 1960 Laotian coups, the anti-counter-coup to the counter-coup was defeated when the paratroopers' coup cooped up General Southone?
... that 220,000 people live in Nada?
... that there is only one major public church in Europe?
... that Osama bin Laden was at least 9 feet (2.7 m) tall?
... that Little Nescopeck Creek is smaller than Little Nescopeck Creek?

Wikivoyage, meanwhile, taught us the way to travel... through time. A sample:

“

Time travel will have been popularized in 1885 AD by Herbert George Wells (1866-1946), a British science fiction writer who first saw the potential for using a Time Machine to transport tourists to other eras in which they could buy tacky souvenirs and leave behind massive amounts of rubbish. Before this invention, travellers of the era were largely limited to galloping into nearby towns on horseback (if there was no railway yet) and annoying the locals by leaving trails of horse excrement in their wake.

In 1964 AD, Mick Jagger will famously claim "Time, time, time is on my side..." before heading forward in time Freejack-style to appear in a long string of come-back performances in 2013, 2015, 2110 and 2250. The string of Rolling Stones comeback performances ended in the twenty-third century when the group began to gather moss.

Time travel is particularly suitable for people with limited time. While you otherwise usually will need at least one day to make a journey, time travel enables you to return to the same moment you left. Thus you can literally start your day by a trip to somewhere else and return home for breakfast! Or even have breakfast at the end of the universe (see Eat below)

”

And we'll finish this series next issue. I know: it'll be May by then. But... well, let's just say there's a lot going on in my life that would pull this column's mood down a lot if I went into it.

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