The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

APRIL FOOL'S DAY PRANK

A POPULAR APRIL FOOL'S JOKE IN GRADE SCHOOL IS TO SWITCH A TEACHER'S
DESK FOR A STUDENT'S DESK. WHEN THE TEACHER WALKS INTO THE ROOM,
THE CLASS TROUBLE MAKER IS CONDUCTING CLASS.

Submitter comment: THIS HARMLESS APRIL FOOL'S DAY PRANK WAS FIRST LEARNED BY THE
COLLECTOR IN TAYLOR, MICH. IN 1970. THIS IS A ROLE-REVERSAL
TECHNIQUE BETWEEN THE CONVENTIONAL ROLES OF STUDENT AND TEACHER.
WITH THE ADDITION OF THE CLASS TROUBLE MAKER, IT SEEMS THAT THE
JOKE WOULD HAVE A HIGHER IMPACT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; USA ; SOUTHGATE

Date learned: 10-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970