Watch your back if you're in France on April Fool's Day. Tradition has it that paper fish are stuck on the backs of the unsuspecting - hence the name "poisson d'Avril," or April fish.
This tradition dates back several centuries. Before 1564, under Charles IX, the new year started on Easter day, then the 25 March or 1 April. On 9 August 1564, though, the king determined the new year to start on 1 January. It had previously been tradition to give a little present for the beginning of new year and this habit continued on 1 April.
Why it became to be a fish, no one knows anymore. Some say it is because the date falls under the star sign of pisces, others relate it to the fact that fishing was forbidden during this period of the year, and others finally see a connection with the fasting period before Easter when good Christians refrained from meat and ate fish instead.
Even if you manage to avoid acting as a pin-board for someone's trout, be discerning when you read or watch the news: journalists are fond of sneaking in bogus stories.
Why it became to be a fish, no one knows anymore. Some say it is because the date falls under the star sign of pisces, others relate it to the fact that fishing was forbidden during this period of the year, and others finally see a connection with the fasting period before Easter when good Christians refrained from meat and ate fish instead.
Even if you manage to avoid acting as a pin-board for someone's trout, be discerning when you read or watch the news: journalists are fond of sneaking in bogus stories.