Poisson D’Avril is French for April Fools Day
April Fools’ Day, on April 1st, is a much-loved tradition in France.
On this day, laughter reigns supreme, and all sorts of jokes, pranks, and practical jokes are not only permitted but also warmly welcomed!
Throughout the day, journalists indeed humorously spread fake news, weaving outlandish stories that often leave viewers perplexed until the final revelation, except, of course, for the most astute.
Children enjoy sticking paper fish, known as “Poisson d’Avril” (April Fools’ fish), on their parents’ backs, who playfully join in the fun. Meanwhile, friends and colleagues happily exchange jokes and practical jokes, each vying with the others in creativity and wit, in a lighthearted and cheerful atmosphere.
Origin of April Fools Day
The tradition of April Fools’ Day has an unusual history dating back to 1564, when King Charles IX made the bold decision to move the start of the year from 1st April to 1st January! This change also affected the tradition of Boxing Day, Le Jour des Etrennes, which has since been celebrated on New Year’s Day. People continued to exchange gifts with family and friends, but three months earlier!
But old habits die hard! Despite the royal decree, it took some time for people to adapt to the new calendar. Indeed, even decades later, many continued to also give each other gifts on April 1st, thus unintentionally perpetuating the tradition.
However, the tradition evolved over time. Instead of real gifts, people began exchanging fictitious presents, often in the form of food, and enjoying the joke.
But why fish, you might ask?
The answer lies in the historical context: April 1st fell during Lent, a period during which the consumption of meat was strictly forbidden. Fish, on the other hand, was permitted, which encouraged people to exchange fish-based gifts, a clever way (and perhaps slightly smelly!) to observe Lent while still having fun. The tradition evolved with societal changes. “Real” fish gave way to fish-shaped cakes, then to paper fish, which were much easier and cheaper to make. And so, the humble fish became the star of April Fools’ Day!
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Flying fish by Shuchiba CC BY-SA 4.0
