"April fish." April Fool's Day fish. A marzipan or sugar fish traditionally given on April Fool's Day in France. According to Larousse Gastronomique, Charles IX instigated 1st April as the beginning of the year from 1564. In 1565, partly as a protest, partly as a joke, this unpopular idea was celebrated by the giving of worthless presents as mock 'New Year' gifts. Apparently, fish shapes were chosen as the sun was in the constellation of Pisces at the time.
