Original: Le Père Fouettard (French for The whipping Father) is a character who accompanies St. Nicholas in his rounds at Christmas dispensing lumps of coal and/or floggings to the naughty children while St. Nick gives gifts to the well behaved.
Simplified: Le Père Fouettard (French for The whipping FatherChristmas in France) was a character who went with St. Nicholas in his rounds at Christmas giving the naughty children the whip while St. Nick gives gifts to the well behaved.