Mardi Gras
/ˌmɑːr.di ˈɡrɑː/noun
Mardi Gras is the final day or season of carnival celebrations before the Christian season of Lent.
Did you know?The name reflects the medieval Christian custom of using up meat, fat, and other rich foods before the fasting season of Lent.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Rome
Latin
Mārtis diēs
“Day of Mars, the Roman god of war”
Late Latin
Latin
Martis diēs
“The day associated with Mars”
Old French
Old French
mardi
“Tuesday, literally Mars’s day”
Old French
Old French
gras
“Fat or rich, from Latin crassus”
13th–15th Century
French
mardi gras
“Shrove Tuesday, the day for eating rich foods before Lent”
17th Century–Present
English
Mardi Gras
“A carnival celebration or its concluding day before Lent”