Top 21 Mardi Gras Terms
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Top 21 Mardi Gras Terms

Mardi Gras Terms And Definitions For The First-timer At Mardi Gras

2310
Top 21 Mardi Gras Terms

For any of you who aren't extremely experienced in Mardi Gras and want to get involved in this amazing cultural tradition or just want to understand what your friends are talking about, here are the top u03ru084yt vocab terms and definitions for Mardi Gras season!

Special Days

Epiphany: This is a Christian feast on January 6. It celebrates the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus. It is the kick off for all things Mardi Gras.

Lundi Gras: French for “Fat Monday.” It’s the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). It originally celebrated the arrival of the king of Rex by boat, kicking off Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras: French for "Fat Tuesday". This is the culmination of the Mardi Gras Celebration.

Ash Wednesday: The day when the celebrations stop. No matter how wild the party on Fat Tuesday, it all comes to an end at Midnight when Ash Wednesday Begins.

Carnival: means "farewell to meat." It is the temporary indulgence to the fleshly desires before lent. The carnival season begins on Three Kings Day/Epiphany (January 6) and ends on Fat Tuesday.

Parties, Parades, and People

Parties

Ball: Almost like the one Cinderella went to! A Mardi Gras ball is an event the parades host prior to rolling. They usually feature presentations of the royal court, dancing and costumes.These are the perfect opportunity to get dressed up and have a good time!

Masquerade: This medieval tradition incorporates masks, dancing and royalty. Masquerade balls are commonplace during Carnival, and masks have become a symbol for Mardi Gras.

Parades

Endymion: is a major parade or super krewe that takes place on Samedi Gras. The parade features a celebrity grand marshal, exuberant floats and lots of throws. It’s named after a character from Greek mythology, cited as a shepherd, hunter or king.

Rex: is one of the most renowned parades. It’s held on Mardi Gras day. Rex is a Latin word that translates to “king.”

Zulu: Historically African American Mardi Gras day parade. Its origins can be traced back to the early 1900s when it was a benevolent aid society. Its signature throws are hand-decorated coconuts.

Super Krewe: is a large-scale parade that features modern technology like fiber optic lights and animatronics, celebrity guests and lavish throws.

Floats: Lavishly decorated trailers or trucks that represent one subject related to the parade's theme that year. Each crew dresses to compliment the parade theme or float theme.

People

Krewe: is the group of people who ride in, create, fund and execute parades. The first use of the term is believed to be by the Mistick Krewe of Comus in the beginning of the 19th century.

Royal Court: refers to honored members of a krewe. This usually includes a king, queen, grand marshals, dukes, maids and more. Court members are often presented during the parade’s ball in an elaborate fashion. These are coveted positions, and there are often years-long waiting lists to become a king or queen.

Mardi Gras Indians:African Americans who dress in Native American regalia such as headdresses and elaborate suits, adorned with feathers and beads. These secretive tribes march in parades, but never announce when beforehand. Allegedly, the practice is meant to pay tribute to the Native Americans who helped out slaves who fled to New Orleans.

Essential Phrases and Things

King Cake: King Cake: is a festive cake made of Danish dough, cinnamon, glaze topping, colorful sprinkles, complete with a plastic baby figurine. The baby is meant to represent Jesus and commemorates the Christian holiday Epiphany.

Flambeaux: comes from the French word for “flame.” Before the days of electricity, slaves or free men of color would carry these large torches in parades to provide light and warmth. The tradition continues today despite the omnipresence of lights.

Doubloon: is a common Mardi Gras throw. They are large coins, usually made out of aluminum and painted flashy colors.

Moon Pie: is a dessert sandwich made of chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows. They became a common throw during the 1950s.



Throws: are the materials riders throw to parade watchers. Beads, cups, doubloons, boas, stuffed animals, food and toys are common throws.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

is a Cajun French saying that means “let the good times roll.” It’s become a mantra of Mardi Gras throughout the years.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51476
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33045
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956037
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180985
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments