# "I'm really a girl" (April 1st prank PM) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 1, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519 "2015-04-01T17:19:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/101 "2015-04-02T02:38:48Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Most of us have a sense of humour before we enter kindergarten. Haha! _ **Zing!** _ > [@Leaffan](#): > > Or care. On a roll! šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/102 "2015-04-02T02:40:33Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > And my point, as mentioned up thread, was that intent matters. ā€œI hid something I was ashamed ofā€ is very different from ā€œI lied to you for yuks.ā€ > > As for the rest, yeah, Iā€™ll cop to not really being a goofy joke kind of person. I donā€™t even like the word goofy. I donā€™t even like the CHARACTER Goofy. > > There, I said it. I just re-read his PM. I think weā€™re both interpreting the ā€œguiltyā€ part differently. Iā€™m taking it to mean that he felt guilty all these years for simply not coming clean (and hyperbole to sell his story). I think others are reading it as he feels guilty for presenting as male when heā€™s female, so thereā€™s some deeper shame involved. Those both are valid, but I think in light of the day it was sent, only one would be more likely. As to Goofy? Well, we agree there. That sucker was goofy. ---
**Author:** ![Calatin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Calatin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calatin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/103 "2015-04-02T02:47:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Last time I checked, these are just random people on a message board, not ā€œfriends and familyā€. > > God, I swear, this place becomes more humorless and self-righteous every single freaking DAY. ā€œSmartest, coolest, hippest people on the internetā€, my ass. Waitā€¦ you donā€™t consider me family? Weā€™ve posted on the same thread more than once (I think). Well, that explains why I didnā€™t get a birthday present from you. You are SO out of my Christmas newsletter this yearā€¦ And the family portrait this year? Well, just donā€™t bother buying matching cowboy outfits. (Or cowgirl, in **Idle Thoughts** ā€™s caseā€¦) ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/104 "2015-04-02T02:57:25Z")
Cross posting this to the ATMB thread too. Some backstoryā€¦ On Facebook, for the [last](https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLeeNeal/posts/1969225354031) [four](https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLeeNeal/posts/3648924105450?pnref=story) [years](https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLeeNeal/posts/10203582424304924?pnref=story) Iā€™ve done this. Every April 1st, I do the whole ā€œOkay, confession time. Iā€™m really a girl. Iā€™ve been a girl all this timeā€ prank. Mostly because itā€™s extremely amusing to see some people always believe it, despite having seen many of my photos, talked with people who know me in real life, or who have even actually _met me_. I even did in in 2013, but canā€™t find the FB post for it right now. Anyway, it got to the point where I became sort of ā€œknownā€ for this joke and even had many people messaging me before the first asking me if Iā€™m going to do it again this year. Some years Iā€™ve considered not doing it and said this, but it always seemed to get a lot of ā€œNo, you must do it! Itā€™s practically tradition now!ā€ type replies. Even this year, I did a callback to that old prank now, [by changing my FB photo to one of me in drag](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206463046078668&set=a.1609493920970.80151.1344879340&type=1&theater) (yes, thatā€™s really me). So, if youā€™re friends with me on FB (or been friends with me on there for awhile), this prank should come as no surprise to you. For those of you who arenā€™t, however, you can see that this prank is nothing new in terms of me doing it. So whether you think itā€™s funny and liked it or think itā€™s stupid, immature, and unfunny, I donā€™t really care or mind too much. Itā€™s your right to think of it how you want. I fully admit itā€™s not the best prank in the world and can definitely be seen as not funny at all, although some replies in this thread have shown that there are people out there who do find it amusing. So once again (for the second and last time), Iā€™m sorry for offending, pissing off, or betraying anyone with it. That really wasnā€™t my intent. I sincerely apologize if you found it in bad taste or are upset. The joke wasnā€™t meant to take advantage of a trust type situation, or make fun of transgender people, or act like my account/the board was hacked, or any other thing that itā€™s been accused of being today other than just an amusing (and lame) prank. As for posting the replies, I still donā€™t see the harm in it as long as they are all unattributed, but again, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/105 "2015-04-02T04:04:25Z")
Donā€™t call people assholes, either directly or indirectly, in this forum. No warning issued. > [@jz78817](#): > > we call people like you ā€œassholes.ā€ > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Yep. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/106 "2015-04-02T04:20:51Z")
Is it permissible to still think of **Idle Thoughts** as a girl? Because heā€™s got a real purdy mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/107 "2015-04-02T04:42:42Z")
For the record, my response was this: > [@](#): > > Itā€™s one of the advantages of the internet. You can communicate with other people on a mental rather than physical level. > > As for feelings of guilt, donā€™t worry. Youā€™re under no obligation to say anything you donā€™t want to say - and that includes personal information about yourself. Obviously nothing Iā€™m unwilling to post openly. But I think itā€™s wrong to post other peopleā€™s private messages without their permission. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/108 "2015-04-02T04:45:39Z")
Well this has been amusing. I got took, hook line and sinker. My reply is up there, I fell for it, totally forgot todayā€™s date. A good prank is a delicate art, something that is funny without humiliating several people. This one was okay, ha ha funny, maybe a little. But it does prey on peopleā€™s kindness. I can see someone receiving the PM and being in a delicate situation themself, and possibly opening up a little to IT. If that did happen (and maybe IT did not include their reply - points to you if thatā€™s what you did), that person might be feeling a little humiliated right about now. At least itā€™s not a public humiliation. But itā€™s public to IT. A good prank is a delicate art. This one fell short of good. I donā€™t feel humiliated. I feel gullible. Just like the umkay thing. Yeah Iā€™m learning, and sometimes I can be a little slow. Ha ha, funny. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/109 "2015-04-02T04:52:27Z")
Hereā€™s mine: > [@](#): > > Hey back at you, > > Thatā€™s interesting. Thanks for sharing and of course Iā€™ll keep that in confidence. I guess I shouldnā€™t say ā€œof courseā€ because we donā€™t really know a lot about each other, but trust that I will. > > Butā€¦ yeah, interesting. And yeah, probably not a big deal unless you weigh in as a mod and as a male, depending on the context. Which I am guessing you do not do. Letā€™s seeā€¦ you joined in 2003 and thatā€™s how long youā€™ve been keeping this secret? Hopefully you havenā€™t been feeling guilty all that time! Iā€™m happy to alleviate some of that guilt for you. Itā€™s also interesting that apparently the other mods donā€™t know that as well. Not a big deal, as you say. And Iā€™m just typing out loud, thinking aloudā€¦ > > Nice meeting the ā€œrealā€ you! šŸ˜ƒ I was genuinely happy to have alleviated some of ITā€™s guilt when I said that. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/110 "2015-04-02T05:00:28Z")
Itā€™s funny that I realized it was likely a joke but I didnā€™t remotely remember the date. I just knew this PM was too out of the blue and remembered his Halloween thing. Also, I donā€™t care what anyoneā€™s sex is on the internet. Just a silly little joke, people. It was spoiled within a few hours so no need to take it as some deep deception. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/111 "2015-04-02T05:25:22Z")
OK im doing it! Hereā€™s some real SDMB sex deception: [Http://cloudhelmut.4t.com/snarkarchive.html#kaitsix](Http://cloudhelmut.4t.com/snarkarchive.html#kaitsix) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/112 "2015-04-02T05:26:32Z")
As I said in the ATMB thread, I think the disproportionate response is because people were lashing out after having fallen for the joke. Theyā€™re upset with themselves for not getting it, as they think of themselves as being rather smart, but they take it out on Idle. It makes zero sense to be legitimately upset at someone for pulling a rather transparent prank on the day we as a society specifically sanction pranks. BTW, mine was designed to let him know I understood, but at the same time give him a chance to keep it going if he so chose, while doing so in a very concise manner. Anyone want to guess which one was mine? > [@](#): > > And youā€™re choosing today to come out so that I might not believe you? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/113 "2015-04-02T05:40:13Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Butt-hurt is not a rape joke. It generally refers to being spanked. > > [Butthurt | Know Your Meme](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/butthurt) Itā€™s an inside joke. Some Doper (whom I will not name) apparently thought it was a sex thing a long time ago, possibly due to English not being their native language or, at least, having been away from the U.S. for so long. I bet they wish knowyourmeme had existed back then, as they made a big deal over it. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/114 "2015-04-02T08:53:04Z")
Wellā€¦ I might have fallen for it, if I actually read my PMs, but unfortunately I saw this thread first. However, Iā€™d probably have gone ā€œWait, whoā€™s this again? Do I know him/her in any way?ā€ and not replied, assuming that it was spam. I suppose you could count me as a Schroedinger victim - in a combined state of being simultaneously pranked and not pranked. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/115 "2015-04-02T09:21:11Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > So once again (for the second and last time), Iā€™m sorry for offending, pissing off, or betraying anyone with it. That really wasnā€™t my intent. I sincerely apologize if you found it in bad taste or are upset. The joke wasnā€™t meant to take advantage of a trust type situation, or make fun of transgender people, or act like my account/the board was hacked, or any other thing that itā€™s been accused of being today other than just an amusing (and lame) prank. Posting private messages, even when you remove the identity, is being a jerk. How about I post your PMs you sent me? But I remove your name? Would that be funny? Cause I fooled you right back. I think everybody would get a chuckle over your remorse and shame. Hahaha Itā€™s so funny when you fool people, but itā€™s really funny when you show it to everyone and laugh at them in public. April fools! ( I didnā€™t mean a damn thing I just said, it was a joke) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/116 "2015-04-02T10:15:29Z")
Completely taken in and answered in good faith, but itā€™s worth noting that since Iā€™m in an entirely different time zone I didnā€™t get the message until this morning (April 2) and so didnā€™t twig until after responding that it was likely an April Foolā€™s joke. My sides, they are splitting with the laughter. And while I give permission to post my PM if you want, isnā€™t publicly posting PMs without permission against board rules? Maybe I should ask a moderatorā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/117 "2015-04-02T10:31:41Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > isnā€™t publicly posting PMs without permission against board rules? Maybe I should ask a moderatorā€¦ I checked the rules. You can post them, even with the name and everything. There is no privacy for them at all. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/118 "2015-04-02T10:35:22Z")
Remember when jokes were crafted to be funny, with a set up and punchline? Now they can just be any old crap, and itā€™s your own fault for not ā€œgetting itā€. Letā€™s all laugh at the foolish people who believed a plausible lie. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/119 "2015-04-02T10:37:53Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Letā€™s all laugh at the foolish people who believed a plausible lie. :D:D:D ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/120 "2015-04-02T10:40:01Z")
I figured the person had to be insane, because they claimed they liked my posts. That was a real spoiler. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519.md?page=7)