Witty & Wise
FOOLING AROUND
Seven of these are April Fools’ pranks that people really pulled. The other three we made up. Can you tell the true pranks from the false ones?
1. DICEY DISH
A British supermarket ad promoted “whistling carrots,” or veggies that have been genetically altered to emit a piercing sound when it’s time to take them off the stove.
2. JUST SAY NEIGH
An Italian newspaper reported a new law requiring horses to be outfitted with rear brake and signal lights.
3. FAKE FLIERS
An Australian newspaper printed a front-page story on “Flying Baby Village,” a town where three infants were born with wings.
4. DIGITS FOR DUMMIES
A news report said Alabama passed a law simplifying pi to 3.
5. LOAD OF HOT AIR
Virgin Group cofounder Richard Branson flew a hot air balloon disguised as a silver UFO over London, alarming citizens—and attracting police.
6. JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS
An astronomer announced that a rare planetary alignment would make everyone lighter at 9:47 a.m. on April 1, causing “a strange floating sensation” if they jumped.
7. THEY’RE TRIPPIN’
A Cleveland pizza restaurant announced it would top its pies with psychedelic mushrooms, leading to an increase in sales (and 911 calls).
8. HUNGRY HELLO
AT&T took out a full-page ad for its “Incredible Edible Phone,” designed to reduce e-waste in landfills. It came in four flavors.
9. CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE?
Google announced it was “bridging the gap between animals and humans” with a new feature called Google Translate for Animals.
10. Steamy viewing
Netflix added Sizzling Bacon and Rotisserie Chicken—lengthy films showing bacon and chicken cooking—to its lineup of original programming.
WITTY & WISE ANSWERS
3. Fake Fliers, 7. They’re Trippin’ 8. Hungry Hello