Q 01/05

Which English poet's 1392 tale of the cock Chauntecleer is a disputed early reference to April Fools' Day?

A) Geoffrey Chaucer

B) Thomas Malory

C) William Langland

D) John Gower

Answer · why

A) Geoffrey Chaucer

Modern scholars think a copying error is to blame and that Chaucer meant 2 May.

Q 02/05

The earliest clear reference to April Fools' Day is a 1561 poem by Eduard de Dene, writing in which language?

A) English

B) Flemish

C) French

D) German

Answer · why

B) Flemish

Eduard de Dene wrote in Flemish; his 1561 poem tells of a nobleman who sent his servant on foolish errands on 1 April.

Q 03/05

What does 'poisson d'avril', first mentioned by a French poet in 1508, literally mean?

A) April's fish

B) April's fool

C) April's pigeon

D) April's poison

Answer · why

A) April's fish

Poisson d'avril means 'April's fish'; the phrase was recorded by the French poet Eloy d'Amerval in 1508.

Q 04/05

In France, Italy and Belgium, what do pranksters try to attach to a victim's back on 1 April?

A) A paper tail

B) A paper crown

C) A 'kick me' sign

D) A paper fish

Answer · why

D) A paper fish

The poisson d'avril prank is to tape a paper fish to a victim's back unnoticed, then shout 'poisson d'avril!' when it is found.

Q 05/05

One April Fools' theory cites France's move of New Year's Day to 1 January, made official in which year?

A) 1582

B) 1564

C) 1600

D) 1620

Answer · why

B) 1564

Charles IX's 1564 edict fixed 1 January as the French New Year; the tale that those still marking it around 1 April became 'fools' is doubted by histo...