Poisson d'avril

[Madeleine Ann Dickerson <polopony@IWAYNET.NET>]

Dear Group,
     Can anyone tell me the origin of the French festival celebrated on
April 1st
known as "poisson d'avril"--a fish (believe it is red) is placed on a person's
back and the instigator yells "poisson d'avril."  Is this  linked to French
history or tradition? Although there are several sites online, I have not
come up with when and why this tradition exists.


Thank you.

Madeleine Dickerson
Library Media Specialist
Liberty Union High School
500 Washington St.
Baltimore, OH 43105
e-mail:   polopony@iwaynet.net

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