Poisson d'avril

An April Fool's joke is a joke or prank that you play on April 1st on your acquaintances, friends and family. It is also customary to make hoaxes in the media, both written press, radio, television and on the Internet (computer hoax).

Another April 1st joke is to hang a fish (often made of paper) on the back of a person you want to make fun of without them realizing it. "April Fool!" is an exclamation that is said once one of the jokes is discovered.

According to folklorist Alan Dundes, several usages seem to have actually blended with that of carnival on this day, which is a likely outgrowth of ancient fertility and reversal rites, celebrations in which victims of pranks are confronted with a calendar rite of passage: influence of ancient festivals, exit of the zodiacal sign of Pisces (last sign of winter and last zodiacal sign), April considered in the Middle Ages as the first month of spring (April 1 was set as a spring rite), extension the period of Lent when it is allowed to eat only fish.