Mardi Gras is more than parades and beads—it’s a world of traditions, colorful language, and unique New Orleans culture. From “throws” to “flambeaux,” Carnival season has a vocabulary of its own. At Mardi Gras World, we hear questions every day on our tours: What’s a krewe? Why are king cakes purple, green, and gold? What’s the story behind doubloons?
That’s why we’re planning on launching the Mardi Gras Glossary—a free online resource designed to answer those questions and celebrate Carnival traditions. The glossary will be a living dictionary of Mardi Gras terms, history, and fun facts, created with the help of locals and visitors alike.
We need your input!
Do you have a Mardi Gras term, tradition, or question you’d like to see included? Maybe there’s a word you’ve always heard but never understood, or a unique phrase your family uses during the season. This is your chance to share it!
How to contribute:
- Fill out the quick form below with your term or question
- Add any background or story you’d like us to know
- We’ll research, fact-check, and publish entries to grow the glossary
By contributing, you’ll help keep the spirit of Mardi Gras alive year-round and make sure future generations understand the traditions that make Carnival so unique.
Mardi Gras Glossary
Help us build out a glossary for Mardi Gras terms.