Etymology Map
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Mardi gras

2 stages from French to English.

Today it means the carnival held on Shrove Tuesday, before Lent

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

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