It's become a mantra of Mardi Gras throughout the years. Lundi Gras: yet another French term that means "Fat Monday." It's the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). The name didn't achieve popularity until the late 1980s. It originally celebrated the arrival of the king of Rex by boat, kicking off Mardi Gras. [Courtesy of dsb Nola/Wikimedia Commons] Lundi Gras. French for Fat Monday, Lundi Gras is the day before Mardi Gras. It was celebrated from 1874 to 1917 with Rex’s arrival by steamboat. In 1987, the custom was revived and now Lundi Gras includes parades, concerts and Carnival activities staged by both Rex and Zulu. Rex. One of the oldest krewes still parading. Rex rolls on Fat Tuesday. Laissez les bon temps rouler (lay-ZEH leh BAWN taw ROO-leh) means “let the good times roll,” and it’s one of the most widely known phrases associated with Louisiana. Typically used around Mardi Gras, it is also heard anytime someone is celebrating a good time, such as at a family get-together or a good, old-fashioned fish fry. In “mainstream” Mardi Gras parades, by contrast, the term implies an honorary role. In the case of the Krewe of Endymion and the Krewe of Orpheus, for instance, the grand marshal is always a celebrity who rides atop one of the lead floats. Humbah. A Mardi Gras Indian command meaning “bow down.” LAGNIAPPE: Popular New Orleans expression meaning "a little something extra," as in a baker's dozen. MARDI GRAS: Literally, "fat Tuesday." The climactic day of the carnival season, on the last Here are the Top 10 Mardi Gras terms used in Louisiana and what they mean. Ball: A Mardi Gras ball or bal is a special event that Krewes host before their parades roll. They are usually opulent, formal affairs with costumes and dancing and often feature a tableau, which is the presentation of the royal court. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" Originally created in Mobile, Alabama but now made into amazing shit by New Orleans, Louisiana. Although Mardi Gras Day is the big day of celebration it is the days, or should we say nights, that are really celebrated. MARDI GRAS: The French term for “Fat Tuesday,” which is the day of the Mardi Gras celebrations. ASH WEDNESDAY: This signifies the end of the Mardi Gras season. 1. Mardi Gras. This is French for "Fat Tuesday," a reference to the fact that Mardi Gras always is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Catholic faith. Because the 40 days of Lent are considered a somber period of sacrifice, Fat Tuesday is seen by many as an appropriate time for indulgence and festivity — a last chance The meaning of MARDI GRAS is Shrove Tuesday often observed (as in New Orleans) with parades and festivities. New Slang; Rhymes; Word Finder; Thesaurus; Join MWU Mardi Gras definition: . See examples of MARDI GRAS used in a sentence. A quintessential Louisiana phrase, “laissez les bon temps rouler” is a Cajun expression meaning “let the good times roll” – that is, to make merry. Mostly associated with New Orleans and frequently heard during Mardi Gras celebrations, the saying conveys the joie de vivre (joy of living) that hangs in the city’s humid air. For instance, during Mardi Gras, you might hear someone shout, “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” A local might say, “In New Orleans, we live by the motto ‘Laissez les bon temps rouler’.” When inviting friends to a party, someone might say, “Come join us for a night of fun and laissez les bon temps rouler!” 3. Throw me somethin’ In the context of Mardi Gras, purple signifies more than just social status; it represents the ideals of justice and fair governance. This meaning is especially pertinent considering the carnival’s historical function as a period when social hierarchies were momentarily set aside, enabling individuals from all classes to join in the celebrations as equals. The term "Mardi Gras," meaning "Fat Tuesday" in French, refers to the last day before Lent, a period of fasting and reflection for Christians. The festival's origins trace back to ancient pagan celebrations, with the Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia serving as early influences. Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans BONUS: According to legend, Mardi Gras colors influenced the choice of school colors for archrivals Louisiana State University and Tulane University. They say when LSU was deciding on its colors, the shops in New Orleans had stocked up on purple, green, and gold for the Mardi Gras season. Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] The energy and excitement of Mardi Gras provide a welcome break from the routines of everyday life, allowing people to experience a sense of freedom and spontaneity. Conclusion. Mardi Gras is much more than just a party; it is a celebration with deep historical, cultural, and spiritual roots. Though a misnomer, the term Mardi Gras is often used to describe the days and weeks preceding Fat Tuesday. Always on a Tuesday, Mardi Gras falls 46 days before Easter or the day before Ash Wednesday when the 40-day penitential season of lent begins.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |