Oil of hazel on All Fools’ Day

1 April · Durham, County Durham

No longer kept

As a boy in Durham, Henderson was sent on 1 April to the chemist for a pennyworth of oil of hazel, and got it from the hazel stick kept behind the counter. Other boys were sent for strap oil. On the Borders, he noted, both 1 and 2 April were gowk days for sending people on fools’ errands.

having been duly sent, with many another urchin, to the chemist for a pennyworth of oil of hazel, and received it in another way than I looked for, from the stout hazel stick hidden behind the shopman's counter.

From Henderson's Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties, p. 92. Read the original

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Folklore from the old calendars

Hunting the gowk Still kept ScotlandIn Scotland April fooling went further than in England.
Washing the lions No longer kept LondonIn March 1860 a great many people received through the post an official-looking card inviting them to the Tower of London to see the annual washing of the white lions on Sunday 1 April.
Sleeveless errands on All Fools’ Day Still kept EnglandChambers found the first of April given over to harmless tricks on unsuspecting neighbours, mostly by the young.
Ah, you April fool! Still kept EnglandHone traced how the April fool's street trick changed with fashion.
A cold April the barn will fill Lore and belief EnglandOpening his April, Chambers observed that proverbial wisdom took a kindly view of the month.
April fools and the Sabine virgins Lore and belief EnglandOne explanation of April fooling traced it to a trick played by the Romans on the Sabines.

Oil of hazel on All Fools’ Day

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