PoIsson d’avril 1ᵉʳ Avril ▫ 1st April
When did it first start ?
In France, until 1564, the first of April used to be New Year’s Day. Then, the King Charles IX decided to change the calendar and put the beginning of the year in January…
What did they do ?
In that time, people used to give each other presents for New Year In that time, people used to give each other presents for New Year. When the day changed, people kept on giving presents in April. Because it wasn’t the real beginning of the year anymore, they decided to give fake presents and do tricks and jokes instead !!
What has it got to do with fishes ?
In Catholic religion, Easter is the end of Lent, when it was prohibited to eat meat, so people used to eat fish, which was a common present in the old days. This is where the fake fish tradition comes from !
What do people do now ?
Nowadays, children stick fake fish in people’s back on 1st April !
Every time they manage to trick a grown-up, they run away shouting out “Poisson d'avril!” - and laughing lots too.
READING PRACTICE ◊ FRENCH POEM
J'ai vu Un poisson marron Qui mangeait un bonbon. Ah bon. Ah bon J'ai vu Un poisson marron Qui mangeait un bonbon... Ah bon ! Ah bon ! J'ai vu Un poisson bleu Qui mangeait des oeufs... Ah bon ! Ah bon ! J'ai vu Un poisson violet Qui mangeait du poulet... Ah bon ! Ah bon ! J'ai vu Un poisson vert Qui mangeait un courant d'air... Ah bon ! Ah bon! J'ai vu Un poisson blanc Qui mangeait la pluie et le temps... Ah non ! Ah non ! Pour jouer je veux du temps ! Ihab Shaker