April Idiot or April Fish? Your Information To Poisson D’Avril
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Poisson d’avril is a quintessential French vacation. Whereas its identify actually means “April Fish,” it’s in essence French April Idiot’s Day. Relationship again a whole lot of years, this vacation is steeped in custom, resembling sticking a paper fish to unknowing victims’ backs. Whereas there are various similarities to the April Idiot’s Day identified within the US, there are distinctive features to the vacation in France and different components of the French-speaking world. Don’t wish to be fooled and grow to be an April fish? Then you definitely higher watch your again (actually)!
Origins of Poisson d’avril
The historical past of April Idiot’s Day in France may be typically traced again to the sixteenth century (although some consider it began even earlier). Whereas the precise origins of the vacation are unclear, one widespread idea is that it started with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar by Charles IX round 1564. Previous to the change, New Yr’s Day had been celebrated with the spring equinox, usually falling on the finish of March or on April 1st. Information of the change unfold slowly, and people who didn’t notice the change had been made grew to become April fools, or poisson d’avril (April fish).
The connection between fish and April fools
The origin of the fish connection is even much less actual. Some consider it’s as a result of the Christian season of Lent is commonly taking place on April 1st, when many Christians surrender meat and eat fish as a substitute. Others assume it’s in relation to precise fishermen who would come again with no fish, leaving their fellow fishermen to hook a lifeless fish on their backs till they observed the scent.
Within the early twentieth century, it was widespread to ship playing cards with a fish or different aquatic themes to mates and romantic companions. You’ll be able to generally discover these classic playing cards at French flea markets, known as marchés aux puces.
The place is Poisson d’avril celebrated?
Poisson d’avril is generally celebrated all through France, however it’s additionally celebrated by these French-speaking international locations and their neighbors:
- Belgium
- Italy
- components of Canada
- components of Switzerland
- United States (French language courses)
Poisson d’avril traditions in France immediately
Whereas the times of hooking a lifeless fish to somebody’s again are seemingly over, the whole nation takes half in enjoyable new pranks every year.
Paper fish pranks
Nowadays, no person goes round sticking precise pungent lifeless fish to anybody’s again—they use a paper fish! The French equal of a “kick me” signal, the aim is to connect a paper fish to somebody’s again with out them noticing. This custom is hottest amongst kids who try to stay paper fish on the backs of their mates, mother and father, and lecturers.
French media pranks
Whereas the paper fish is the most typical prank on April 1st, France’s media delights in enjoying pranks on most of the people, too. From claiming the Eiffel Tower had been offered to claiming wind generators had been slowing down the Earth’s rotation, the French media by no means shrink back from pranks on the April 1st vacation. It is among the many issues that France is understood for.
Poisson d’avril pranks in Paris
In Paris, the RATP (Parisian Transport System) yearly pranks its riders by altering the names of metro stations throughout the evening. Some are easy anagrams — Opéra changing into Apéro (completely happy hour) — whereas others have historic or cultural which means. Some are simply downright foolish, like Parmentier changing into Pomme de terre (potato). In 2024, many had been Olympics-themed, resembling Nation changing into Natation (swimming). If you’re a vacationer in Paris on April 1st, don’t be fooled by these pretend indicators! (The actual ones don’t get taken down, so you’ll be able to nonetheless discover the place you’re going.)
Celebrating Poisson d’avril in Quebec
Whereas the custom of pranking on April Idiot’s Day is well known in lots of international locations all over the world, Quebec celebrates Poisson d’avril equally to France. The paper fish custom can be widespread (in addition to the media pranks), however the Québécois are additionally identified for having enjoyable with their family members. Some are mentioned to have faked weddings or funerals or unfold rumors round city to see who will consider them. And don’t overlook the tarte au sucre — the sugar tart historically eaten on April 1st in Quebec!
Helpful phrases and phrases for Poisson d’avril
Whether or not you wish to put a paper fish on somebody’s again or pull a distinct form of prank, use the next French vocabulary to boost your Poisson d’avril celebrations:
| French | Pronunciation | English |
| un canular | uhn kah-noo-lar | a hoax (like a joke on TV) |
| une devinette | oon duh-vee-net | a riddle |
| le dos | luh doh | again (physique half) |
| je blague | jhuh weblog | I’m kidding/joking |
| je t’ai eu | jhuh tay oo | I acquired you/fooled you |
| un jeu de mots | uhn jhuh duh moh | a pun/play on phrases |
| Poisson d’avril ! | pwah-sohn dah-vreel | April Idiot’s! |
| un poisson en papier | uhn pwah-sohn uhn pah-pee-ay | a paper fish |
| le premier avril | luh pruh-mee-ay ah-vreel | April 1st |
| raconter des histoires | rah-kohn-tay dayz ee-stwar | to make up tales/pull somebody’s leg |
| raconter des salades | rah-kohn-tay day sah-lahd | to inform lies (actually to inform salads) |
| rire | reer | to snicker |
| tu blagues | too weblog | you’re kidding/joking |
| tu m’as eu | too mah oo | you bought me/fooled me |
| une blague | oon weblog | a joke |
| une farce | oon farss | a prank/sensible joke |
| une histoire drôle | oon ee-stwar drohl | a joke/joke (verbal) |
Be ready to have a good time any French vacation with Rosetta Stone
There are various French holidays and cultural traditions to have a good time, all made higher when your language abilities mean you can absolutely take part. Rosetta Stone may also help you be taught French rapidly and with ease. The Rosetta Stone app even contains phrasebooks that may provide help to in your travels and whereas celebrating totally different holidays. Take the app with you on all your French-speaking adventures!
