Balls--------- Formal affairs held by Carnival
organizations at which their royalty presides.
Many groups, including the most prestigious, have
balls only and do not parade. Many old-line Carnival
organizations now use hotel ballrooms, and attendance
is by invitation. Parading krewes usually, but not
always, have the ball after the parade. Some krewes,
notable Bacchus and Endymion, throw large-scale
parties with big-name entertainment.

Bouef Gras------ The fatted ox or bull that has,
since the Middle Ages, been a part of pre-Lenten
celebrations. It symbolizes the last meat eaten
before Lent. Until 1901, a real ox, bedecked in
garlands of flowers and ribbons, appeared in the
Rex parade on Mardi Gras. The first one in 1871
was Old Jeff. The Boeuf Gras bowed out of the Rex
parade from 1901 to 1958, then reappeared in 1959
as the giant papier-mache ox on a float that is a
traditional part of the parade today.

Captain------- The executive head of a Carnival
organization. Captains get to ride in a place of
honor in the parade and, while kings and queens
reign for a single year, the captain holds the
honor for many years. While the identity of the
king and queen is often revealed, that of the
captain almost always remains a secret.

Carnival--- The season, stretching traditionally
from Jan. 6 (Twelfth Night) to Mardi Gras
(Fat Tuesday). All parades, balls and other events
during this period are Carnival events. Technically,
only events on Fat Tuesday itself are Mardi Gras
events. The term carnival means "removal of the
flesh," the flesh in this case being the meat
that is forsaken for Lent.

Carnival Ball----- For the members of New Orleans
many Krewes, the ball masque is the climax of the
carnival season. In keeping with the traditions of
Krewe secrecy the ball is by invitation only.

Carnival colors - The official colors of Carnival
are purple, green and gold, designated in 1892 by
the Rex organization. The colors represent justice
(purple), faith (green) and power (gold).

City that Care Forgot----One of the many nicknames
that New Orleans has come to be known under over
the many years. This term refers to the residents
laid back or care free attitude towards life. The
city is also called the Big Easy also referring to
this laid back feeling. *Although some change has
come to it's meaning of late.

Doubloon------ Silver-dollar sized commemorative
aluminum coins minted for and given out by Carnival
organizations. Rex threw the first one from a float
in 1960. (Earlier such medals were heavier and
awarded as ball favors.)

Flambeaux--- The burning torches - usually kerosene
containers mounted on wooden poles - carried in some
night parades. Flambeaux carriers are known for their
uninhibited prancing and twirling. At one time,
torches or lanterns were carried by marchers beside
all floats to illuminate them. Now all floats carry
their own lights, and the flambeaux carriers are
attractions within themselves.

Floats-- Any decorated, movable platform for carrying
Carnival maskers. In some cases, particularly among
newer, less affluent or smaller krewes, floats are
used in more than one parade.

King Cake----- A sweetroll-like cake made in a ring.
It contains a plastic doll, and the person who finds
the doll in his or her piece of cake must provide the
king cake on the next occasion. Haydels Bakery,
Mc Kenizens, Gambino's Bakery and Randazzo's Camellia
City Bakery are a few of the bakeries in New Orleans
famious for their King Cakes.

Krewe-----The name used to describe the Carnival
Organizations which stage the parades and masked
costumed balls every carnival season. First coined
by the Comus organization in 1857, it's use has come
to symbolize any group who espouses to be associated
with carnival. The following parading organizations
are NOT called krewes: Rex, Bacchus, Knights of
Babylon, Knights of King Arthur, Corps de Napoleon,
Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

Ladders--- Common stepladders with seats bolted to
the top used so children can get a better view of a
parade and provide better targets for throws.

Lent -----In many churches Easter is preceded by a
season of prayer, abstinence, and fasting called Lent.
This is observed in memory of the 40 days' fast of
Jesus in the desert. In Eastern Orthodox churches
Lent is 50 days. In Western Christendom Lent is
observed for six weeks and four days.

Lundi Gras------Fat Monday, the day before Mardi Gras or
Shrove Tuesday is also a day of festivities, fireworks
and parties. Held formally at Spanish Plaza, Rex and
Zulu are the principle Krewes involved in ushering
in Mardi Gras.

Maid - A young female servant or attendant only for
the Queen.

Marching Clubs-------Bands of costumed merrymakers who
parade along St. Charles Avenue and other streets early
on Mardi Gras morning, before the big krewes hit the
streets. They are usually accompanied by a jazz band.
Among the best known are Pete Fountain's Half-Fast
Marching Club, the Jefferson City Buzzards, the Garden
District Carnival Club and the Lyons Carnival Club.

Mardi Gras-- Always on a Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday as
the English know it, falls 46 days before Easter or
the day before Ash Wednesday when the 40 day penitential
season of lent begins. It is the culmination of the
Carnival Season.

Mardi Gras Indians --- African-American marching groups
that parade on Mardi Gras in elaborate feathered costumes.
The Wild Magnolias and the Wild Tchoupitoulas are among
the best known.

Parade--- A procession of floats, marching bands, dance
groups, costumed characters, flambeaux carriers and the
like, that winds through the city on a prescribed route
in the few weeks before Mardi Gras. More than 70 parades
are held during the Carnival season in a four-parish area
around New Orleans. The best-known parades include Bacchus,
Endymion, Orpheus, Zulu and Rex. For schedules, see our
Parade Calendar.

"Pass a Good Time" - Cajun expression meaning to have fun.

Queen ----- A character of the Carnival Krewe. She serves
besides the King, as the ruling mythical monarchs of the
Krewe.

Second Line ------New Orleans event that is now known
primarily as a special style of dancing. The original
2nd line was the crowd moving along with a parade. So
in effect the parade was the first line, while the crowd
moving with it was termed the second line.

Throws------ Trinkets pitched from a parade float. They
include doubloons, beads, cups and plastic toys.

"Throw me something, Mister"--- The traditional cry of
parade-goers pleading for throws.

Traditional Route--- A standard route for night parades
that begins at Napoleon Avenue, goes down St. Charles
Avenue to Canal Street and ends at the Ernest Morial
Convention Center.

Truck Parades---- Mardi Gras parades made up entirely
of decorated, truck-drawn flatbed trailers. There are
two in New Orleans: the Elks Krewe of Orleanians and
Crescent City, which follow Rex. There also are two
in Metairie, which follow Argus, and others in Gretna,
Covington and St. Bernard Parish. Truck parades roll
only on Mardi Gras.

Witch Doctor ------ In Zulu, it is a fictional character
who gives blessings for illnesses, luck, and the weather.
For the Mardi Gras Indians, this figure is close to the
Big chief for council and blessing.

Zulu Parade ---------, The oldest African American Club,
started in 1909. While Rex rules Carnival with a golden
scepter and jeweled crown, King Zulu carries a banana
stalk and wears a lard can on his head. The prize of the
Zulu parade is a painted coconut.