--- title: The Best April Fools Pranks of 2016 description: Best April Fools Day pranks include gags from Google and Lexus. canonical: https://time.com/4277152/best-april-fools-day-pranks-jokes-2016/ author: Olivia B. Waxman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-04-01T02:01:24.000Z article:modified_time: 2023-12-13T15:17:03.000Z og:title: The Best April Fools' Pranks of 2016 og:description: Make sure you don’t fall for any of them og:url: https://time.com/4277152/best-april-fools-day-pranks-jokes-2016/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt15258fdfc84fa1ee/69888d46524fc00e5adf7656/boxed-hot-guys-and-kittens11.jpg?branch=production&width=1440&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: boxed-hot-guys-and-kittens1 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The Best April Fools' Pranks of 2016 twitter:description: Make sure you don’t fall for any of them twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt15258fdfc84fa1ee/69888d46524fc00e5adf7656/boxed-hot-guys-and-kittens11.jpg?branch=production&width=1440&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The Best April Fools' Pranks of 2016 ## Video: Lexus V-LCRO Technology [Watch (HLS stream): Lexus V-LCRO Technology](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/If2gOM8m.m3u8) (1:56)  _Published 2016-04-01. Lexus V-LCRO Technology_  by [Olivia B. Waxman](https://time.com/author/olivia-b-waxman/)  ## Olivia B. Waxman Staff Writer Updated: Dec 13, 2023 3:17 PM UTCPublished: Apr 1, 2016 2:01 AM UTC  Boxed  by [Olivia B. Waxman](https://time.com/author/olivia-b-waxman/)  ## Olivia B. Waxman Staff Writer Updated: Dec 13, 2023 3:17 PM UTCPublished: Apr 1, 2016 2:01 AM UTC _April Fool’s Day 2016 is over, but it’s not too late to enjoy it! Here’s a comprehensive list of all the day’s best pranks._ • The return of Texas currency. The state comptroller’s office [“announced”](https://twitter.com/txcomptroller?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw) that “redbacks” paper money would be reissued this fall for the first time since the 1840s — and with Willie Nelson’s face on the $10 bill. > [](https://twitter.com/txcomptroller/status/715908176764243969) > [](https://twitter.com/txcomptroller/status/715908563659571200) • Expedia’s [Ginge-Air](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7wGpN8Ci%5FE): “the first airline worldwide that caters exclusively to gingers” • Hamburger Helper’s rap album on [SoundCloud.](https://soundcloud.com/HAMBURGERHELPER) • [360 Vodka](https://www.facebook.com/360Vodka/posts/10153415815696316)‘s “Feel The Burn” Cinnamon Vodka. • [Burger King](https://twitter.com/BurgerKing/status/715921573459456002)‘s chicken fries shake. • Hulu’s free dating app [huludatr](http://hulu.tv/HuluDatr), which matches singles based on “compatible viewing preferences” — “what you like to watch, where, and when” — and does “all of the work, so there’s no way you can sabotage your own happiness,” says an ad. • James Monroe Iglehart, Tony Award-winning star of the Broadway music _Aladdin_, posed as a wax figure of the Genie at Madame Tussauds New York — and spooked visitors by magically coming alive whenever they tried to take a photo with him. • [A clear, zero-calorie](https://twitter.com/GuinnessUS/status/715927887631790081) version of Guinness, unveiled by the beer company’s American division. • Google’s [self-driving bicycles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSZPNwZex9s) in the Netherlands. • The [toaster](http://www.razerzone.com/breadwinner) made by electronics brand Razer — “The world’s first kitchen appliance for gamers: Bread to win.” • Umbrellas for dogs by ŠKODA UK: “During development, we captured large quantities of British rain and brought it back to our workshop in the Czech Republic before signing the design off,” says a [release](http://www.skoda.co.uk/news/new-simply-clever-canine-umbrella).  ŠKODA UK • [Virgin Australia](https://www.facebook.com/virginaustralia/videos/vb.94622926989/10153374159936990/?type=2&theater)‘s “Kids Class” — “the first kids-only aircraft cabin” in which the aisles are giant hopscotch boards and a “customized teddy service” offers young fliers their choice of stuffed animals to cuddle with. • [GQ.com](http://www.gq.com/)‘s homepage — as if the “G” stands for _Seinfeld_‘s George Costanza.   • The fashion line inspired by _The Golden Girls_ at Hot Topic. • Dog bras. Any lingerie dubbed “the Plunge Pawfect Bra” or “the Front-Closure Pawsh-Up Bra” that is described as “Pawfect Fitting” or a “ruff fit” is a gag from the website that sells bras ThirdLove and the petsitting site DogVacay.  Thirdlove • The “Narcotics Detection Rabbit” introduced by The Town of Amherst Police Department. • The [free Hamilton concert](http://time.com/4279296/donald-trump-free-hamilton-tickets-prank/) in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The number for the ticket office goes to Donald Trump’s campaign headquarters. • The [room-sharing](http://theangle.whotels.com/wpool-is-this-thing-real/) option at W Hotels, a 75% discount for guests willing to share a room with strangers. • The [Groupon deal](https://www.groupon.com/deals/catreaders) for “cat readers,” bookworms who can go to people’s homes and read classic books to their cats. Works of fiction range from simple children’s books like the _Cat in the Hat_ to longer works like _Ulysses_ and _Lolita._ • Language-learning app [Duolingo](http://pillow.duolingo.com/)‘s $99 French, Spanish, Japanese, and Italian pillows that teach sleepers a language overnight so that people can wake up bilingual. • The tandem stationary bike at Planet Fitness. • The [merger](http://news.ufl.edu/articles/2016/04/uf-fsu-to-merge.php) of Florida State University and the University of Florida. • This [headline](http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160401-april-fools-day-animals-pictures/): “National Geographic to Stop Publishing Nude Animal Pictures” and its subhed: “The media group says that it will no longer degrade animals by showing photos of them without clothes.” • The new name for the capital of Alaska. Juneau appears as UNO on the city’s website and social media channels — a gag by Mattel, the company that makes the card game. • Sony’s version of the Ghostbusters [Proton Pack](http://www.proton-pack.com/). • Mike Huckabee’s announcement on FOX Business that he’s jumping back into the race, momentarily shocking anchor Mario Bartiromo: “We’ve used that term carefully, suspend, not end. And as of today, we’re back in. We’re still on the ballot. That announcement will come later this morning.” > [](https://twitter.com/FoxBusiness/status/715893763843825664) • The news that CERN’s Large Hadron Collider will be moved to London’s Royal Albert Hall and that particle collision experiments will be carried out in the hallway. “We’ve played host to everyone from The Beatles to Adele, but what we’ve never had here before is particles. This project will change all that,” says a [release](http://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2016/april/royal-albert-hall-partners-with-cern-to-bring-hadron-collider-to-the-uk/). “We were as impressed as anyone when CERN announced that they had found the ‘God particle’, but frankly they don’t seem to have done much since.”  Royal Albert Hall • Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s collaboration with [H&M](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ce9ZCOnUsAA8ara.jpg), including a “collection pack” of seven gray t-shirts and one pair of jeans. • The John Stamos takeover of _Netflix —_ a “Glorified Blockbuster,” as the actor called it in a temper tantrum over the way the streaming site “ridiculed” his brand in a [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMbZKOXB7BY) video that is clearly part of the gag.  Netflix • [“Mmm Box,”](https://www.facebook.com/McDonaldsUS/posts/10153417483652014) the monthly subscription service from McDonald’s that will deliver a rib sandwich right to your door. • Rand Paul’s Donald Trump endorsement. He had sent out a series of tweets Thursday teasing a “YUGE” announcement on April 1, and some sounded just like the real estate mogul: “Wow, many many people tell me the announcement is the best announcement anyone has ever seen.” > [](https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/715872482306224128) • “Google Cardboard Plastic.” • “Groovy Maps,” the new name for Google Maps. In the smartphone app, click “Explore around you” and then the “Funky Town: Get on the dance floor” image to see the yellow Pegman dance like a disco star.  • TodayTix’s [“Dial-a-Drama” app](http://hello.todaytix.com/dial-a-drama), in which an operator will fill in theatergoers on what they have missed on stage so far if they’re running late to the show. • Southwest Air’s show “Cash Lav,” in which flight attendants ambush fliers in the lavatory and ask them game show questions so they can win cash. • The U.S. Army’s teleportation technology, announced in a [press release](http://www.army.mil/article/164802?utm%5Fsource=cpatwitter&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fcampaign=af16). • New words in [Oxford Dictionaries](http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2016/04/new-words-april-2016), such as: 1. **LOYO** (abbreviation meaning “laughing on your own”) 2. **fanishment** (noun meaning “the state of being blocked by a celebrity on social media”_)_ 3. **Leo’d** _(_Leonardo DiCaprio’s name as a verb, meaning _“_to achieve something after years of trying”) • [T-Mobile](http://www.t-mobile.com/bingeonup)‘s hands-free device for binge watchers. • London Eye offering top two capsules as penthouse apartments available for purchase that come with “a personal pillow fluffer to ensure their heads really do feel like it’s in the clouds.”  London Eye • Feeding stations for dogs and cats that look like the presidential podium, available at Petco.  Petco • [Houzz](http://www.houzz.com/houzzsmartz)’s new line of home furnishings with “sensors detect dirt, smudges and wrinkles” and “provide honest feedback” regarding decorating in “up to 7 languages,” such as the pillow that barks “fluff me.” • Big Ben’s sponsorship deal with Pimm’s to display the liquor brand’s logo on the face of the iconic clock tower in London.  Pimm’s unveils the result of an unprecedented sponsorship deal to display its logo on the clock face of Big Ben. Strictly Under Embargo to 00.01 1st April 2016 Pimm's • Zoosk’s “Burrit-OH!” dating site that matches that “matches singles based on the 32 Ingredients™ of a burrito order,” and factors like whether they both like the “butt” (bottom-end) of a burrito.  Zoosk • Hallmark’s [“Pup Postage”](https://twitter.com/Hallmark/status/715871656519053313/photo/1) program, using dogs to deliver cards. • The [HomeAway.co.uk](https://www.homeaway.co.uk/p6512735) listing for the Palace of Westminster’s private chambers. • Wayback Burger’s Cheez Whiz milkshake. • [Lexus](https://youtu.be/YxVrkqv2Bc0) introduces Velcro seats. Drivers must wear a special suit to sit in them: “While all performance cars use seat bolsters to hold a driver in place during aggressive maneuvering, we’re taking it a step further. In this case, the technology we’re employing is actually over 75 years old.” • [Esurance](http://esurance.com/election-insurance)‘s “Election Insurance” plan, which will “protect your home for the next four years while you’re waiting out the next presidential term.” • [Zipcar’s new feature](http://www.zipcar.com/selfiedriving), which uses customers’ selfies to match them with rental cars. • [“Quilted Northern Rustic Weave,”](https://youtu.be/vRlBtabKRFM) a line of small-batch, “artisanally crafted toilet paper” that’s “genuinely tree to toilet.”  Quilted Northern • Metromile’s walking insurance to “cover customers in the event of being caught in an unexpected rainstorm, losing footing, wearing out socks and shoes and more.” • Google’s same-day delivery service [Google Express](https://www.google.com/express/u/0/)‘s deliveries via parachute. • [An app](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-anytime-fitness-app-brings-fitness-into-the-sharing-economy-300243691.html?tc=eml%5Fcleartime) for the gym chain Anytime Fitness that allows people who own fitness equipment to open up their homes to people who don’t belong to a gym. • Toy version of the Tough Mudder obstacle course called Electroshock Therapy, a “compact and lightweight toy that packs over 20,000 volts of electricity,” allowing thrill-seekers to “train for the obstacle at work, at your home, with your children.” • The restaurant reservation site [OpenTable](http://taste.opentable.com)‘s app feature that allows users to lick photos of food (aka “food porn”) on their mobile devices to taste them. • Food delivery site Grubhub’s new ride-share service in which customers can hitch a ride with its delivery drivers. • Dating app from [CanvasPop](https://youtu.be/UQ8AVYLN3GE) that matches users based on the Facebook photos they chose to turn into prints. • Shipments of puppies or “hot guys” through [Boxed.com](https://www.boxed.com/).  Boxed • An electric canoeing paddle, invented in Ely, Minn.—known for April Fools’ Day pranks like a 2016 Summer Olympics bid and a 2008 warning that Canada was annexing the small town.  Ely Area Tourism Bureau • [Adobe](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YquFtGZk4-c.)‘s “Ansel Adams Masterpiece” trick. • Roombas that teach Zumba. • Starkist’s mascot Charlie the Tuna retires, replaced with Brad the Sawfish. • Donald Trump agrees to a one-on-one debate with [Sen. Ted Cruz](https://www.tedcruz.org/news/donald-trump-accepts-cruzs-debate-invitation/). ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4277152/best-april-fools-day-pranks-jokes-2016/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4277152/best-april-fools-day-pranks-jokes-2016/"},"headline":"The Best April Fools' Pranks of 2016","datePublished":"2016-04-01T02:01:24.000Z","dateModified":"2023-12-13T15:17:03.000Z","description":"Make sure you don’t fall for any of them","url":"https://time.com/4277152/best-april-fools-day-pranks-jokes-2016/","keywords":["Newsfeed","Business topic"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt15258fdfc84fa1ee/69888d46524fc00e5adf7656/boxed-hot-guys-and-kittens11.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Olivia B. 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