Holy Innocents

Question

Trying to find a letter I for the Christmas thread, I encountered:

Día de los Santos Inocentes which I understand is the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

But in reading up, in Wikipedia, it says:

En Hispanoamérica y en España es costumbre realizar en esta fecha bromas de toda índole.

Am I reading this right? What is there to joke about? Not challenging anyone's traditions, just not understanding.

Answer 1

Spanish's April Fools Day

That was all I needed. Thanks Q. - LateToDinner, Aug 27, 2010

Answer 2

I understand your puzzlement, Late. It is as indicated by the links provided by Q and Vaanz.

The reason for this is that, while originally "Inocentes" refers to the guiltlessness of the children murdered by King Herod, in Spanish "Inocente" is also used to mean "naive" or "gullible". So from that interpretation of the word, it is customary to play practical jokes on people, who fall for by being naive and not realizing that they should be very alert on that day.

In this light, I wouldn't have minded using it for letter I, but only knowing of it as Herod's masacre it didn't fit the thread. Thanks. - LateToDinner, Aug 27, 2010

Answer 3

To begin with, I'm not far enough advanced to read the spanish quote. For what it's worth, my brother who is an expert, tells me that wikipedia is an untrustworthy and unreliable source on any matters having to do with religion.

Sorry, my Spanish is so limited, I think that if I can make it out, everyone can! A little helper on this site is just double click any word you have trouble with, you will usually get a translation. - LateToDinner, Aug 27, 2010

... a very valuable tool for me, I hope it helps you! - LateToDinner, Aug 27, 2010

Answer 4

It is the Spanish equivalent of April Fools day observed on Dec -28...

In addition to Qfreed link, check this out .

Thank you, Vaanz - LateToDinner, Aug 27, 2010