Playful tricks or jokes played on someone to make them laugh or surprise them.
Origin uncertain, possibly from Dutch 'prank' or German 'prank'. It may derive from obsolete English 'prank' meaning 'to strut' or 'show off', suggesting pranks originally meant showy practical jokes. First recorded in English in the 1600s.
Pranks are found in nearly every human culture and throughout history—ancient Roman writings describe pranks, medieval jesters pulled pranks on nobles, and it's a universal form of social bonding, especially among friends, because shared laughter builds trust!
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