April Fools Pranks 2024
On April 1st people can play pranks on each other
tell a lie = speaking only, usually (-)
play a prank = action or lie to trick someone (usually to be funny)
These are some stories from April 1st. Do you think they are true or pranks?
I’m sure = I’m certain = It’s definitely
It’s probably = I bet
I’d say = I think
I guess
It may be = Perhaps = It could be
A Duke (M) or Duchess (F) is a noble position in the UK just below Prince or Princess. They are always in charge of a certain area.
Duke “dook”
Duchess “duh-chess”
Prince William = Duke of York
Prince Harry = Duke of Sussex
I’m sick of_ = I hate it (because it happened too many times already)
E.g. I’m sick of cleaning my kids dirty socks every nightsquabble “skwah-bull” = argue / fight
throne = King or Queen’s special chair
What do you know about William and Harry’s relationship?
What are you sick of?
Do you think it’s OK for the newspaper to make jokes about the Royal Family?
Apple Macbook
$899
12 inch Liquid Retina Display
available in 5 colors
How do you think people reacted to this announcement?
LG invisible TV
77 inch TV
Price unannounced (predicted over $5000)
News
A video game billionaire, Lin Qi, loved a popular sci-fi book called “3 Body Problem.”
He dreamed of sharing it with the world so he paid millions to get the rights. He sold it to Netflix and Zu Yao was hired as a lawyer on the project.
Zu was demoted for his bad performance so became furious and wanted revenge. He rented a lab and practiced poisoning animals.
Later he poisoned his replacement and Lin Qi.
sci-fi “sai fai” = science fiction
demoted = move down a position in the company
promoted <-> demoted
“3 Body Problem” is about scientists who discover aliens on another planet and decide to send them a message.
The show also criticizes the Chinese government’s actions during the Cultural Revolution (文化大革命) (1966-76)
How does the Chinese government feel about this show?
China didn’t censor the show. The current government disagrees with the Cultural Revolution’s policies (like fighting science). Most of the characters are Chinese heroes who are being patriotic and the main villain is American
The publishers already censored some scenes to avoid being banned by the government
ban = it’s not allowed at all
censored = only one part is removed (one word, bad language, violence or sex scenes)
Why do you think these things are censored in China?
pictures of Winnie the Pooh on Social Media (since 2017)
time travel in books and movies (since 2013)
Brad Pitt (1997-2016)
Biohazard (since 2021, video game about killing zombies)
Big Bang Theory (a US sitcom that was extremely popular in China until 2014)
Christmas Parties in all schools and some regions (since 2018)
Time travel - may change or disrespect Chinese history
Biohazard - all violent video games have been banned
Big Bang Theory - didn’t want American culture and lifestyles to be popular. The university culture was very different. Maybe they didn’t want geek culture to become popular
Christmas Parties - China doesn’t want any other religious ceremonies
Singapore KFC
“We put the ORgans in YakitORi”
Gizzard = すなぎも
Would this be popular in Japan?
Evri roller skating courier
courier = “kur-ree-er”
= delivery man / company
Evri is a British delivery company that many customers complain about (for their slow service)
They announced some delivery people will wear skates to speed up deliveries
Could this speed up deliveries? Why or why not?
Elon Musk
Elon Musk announced he’ll become Disney’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Woke (slang)= aware of discrimination (差別)
Progressive people (しんぽてき) use it as a positive word
Conservative people (ほしゅてき) use it as a negative word
What do you know about Elon Musk?
Nintendo
The Switch will become VR in the future
Do you think this tech will be possible in the future?
Pay for an armrest
Jetstar, an LCC, announced: “Are you tired of fighting for an armrest? Now you can reserve your armrest for only $2”
Do you think airlines might do this in the future?