It's Carnival time in Louisiana! Most folks who aren't from here just assume that Mardi Gras is only in New Orleans.They don't realize that it's celebrated all over the state, in different ways. But in order to get the full experience of Mardi Gras, you have to know the lingo. Definitely! The people at Mardi Gras Day have come up with some helpful terms if you happen to have visitors for the  season, or just want to  pass this along to all of your out of town friends.I've added in a few of my own as well, but check out the most common terms below. There are also many french terms used for Carnival season, especially here in Acadiana.

 

  • Bal - also known as bal masque or tableau ball - the annual masked ball for the Krewe
  • Krewe - term used for all the  Carnival organizations. Kind of like a social organization, or club.
  • Lundi Gras - festivities celebrated on the Monday night before Fat Tuesday
  • King Cake - the traditional sweet of the season. It has a plastic baby baked inside the circular dough, and if you get the baby, you have to have the next King Cake Party. Purple, Green and Gold sugar is used to decorate - purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power
  • Throws - inexpensive trinkets thrown from the floats by Krewe members in masks
  • Fat Tuesday - also known as Shrove Tuesday. The day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras Day
  • Bouef Gras - the large bull or ox, which symbolizes the last meat eaten before Lent begins. A very recognizable sign of Mardi Gras usually found in New Orleans
  • Courir de Mardi Gras - rural Mardi Gras run, usually involves going from house to house on horseback to get ingredients ready for a community gumbo. Also known as a 'Chicken Run'
  • Laissez les bons temps rouler! - Let the good times roll!
  • Throw Me Something, Mister! - You want beads, don't you?!

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