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mardi gras

the carnival held on Shrove Tuesday, before Lent

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Where does the word "mardi gras" come from? It comes from French mardi gras, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).

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Where does the word "mardi gras" come from? It comes from French mardi gras, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).

Mardi gras’s story begins in French: mardi gras meant “fat Tuesday.” 'fat Tuesday', the last day of feasting before the Lenten fast. It reached English by 1700s as Mardi Gras. French settlers brought the carnival to Louisiana; New Orleans' parades began in 1857. Today, mardi gras means the carnival held on Shrove Tuesday, before Lent.

  1. Stage 1 · French · medieval mardi gras "fat Tuesday", 'fat Tuesday', the last day of feasting before the Lenten fast.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1700s Mardi Gras "carnival", French settlers brought the carnival to Louisiana; New Orleans' parades began in 1857.

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