Père_Fouettard
Père Fouettard
Companion of St. Nicholas in folklore
Père Fouettard (French for 'Father Whipper' / 'Old Man Whipper'; pronounced [pɛʁ fwɛtaʁ]) is a character who accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds during Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) dispensing lumps of coal and/or beatings to naughty children while St. Nicholas gives gifts to the well behaved.[1] He is known mainly in the far north and eastern regions of France, in the south of Belgium, and in French-speaking Switzerland, although similar characters exist all over Europe (see Companions of Saint Nicholas). This "Happy Father" was said to bring a whip with him to spank all of the naughty children who misbehaved.