In France, if you get caught out on April 1st, you are called Poisson d’Avril, (April Fish), it stems from ages ago, when children would make fish shapes from paper, then attach the paper to someone’s back.
When the person discovered the fish shaped paper, and went to remove it, the kids would chorus, “Poisson d’Avril!”
A good 30 years back, my wife and I were on a Metro train somewhere in Central Paris, when as it pulled into a station, the conductor made an announcement, and everyone groaned.
My wife, lovable, beautiful, but a typical British monoglot, said, “What’d he say Jean?”
I said, “He said everyone has to get off here, and wait for the next train.”
The doors opened, and people began shuffling toward the platform, just as my wife’s mouth was forming the word ‘why’.
Suddenly, a loud cackle came over the P.A. system, and the conductor yelled, “Vous êtes tous des Poissons D’Avril”, (You’re all April Fools).
Almost everyone smiled ruefully and sheepishly retook their seats.
