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Doubloons, Flambeaux and Rex: The Mardi Gras Lingo

"Why my lady, you look finer than a Boeuf Gras if I do say so msyelf!"

Before walking the walk through the French Quarter, Gras-goers need to learn to talk the talk. Whether you'll be spending Mardi Gras on Mill Avenue or Bourbon Street, knowing these terms is a must.

Boeuf 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.

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 title for many years.

Carnival Day: Same as Mardi Gras, the last day of Carnival.

Colors of Carnival: Purple, green and gold. The colors were chosen in 1872 by that year's Rex. The 1892 parade gave the official colors meaning purple justice, green for faith and gold for power.

Courir Du Mardi Gras: The Mardi Gras run, a Cajun celebration of Mardi Gras in which masked, costumed men ride horses from house to house around the countryside, asking for chicken, rice, sausage, and other ingredients for a gumbo.

Doubloons: Silver-dollar sized commemorative aluminum coins minted for and given out by Carnival organizations. Rex threw the first one from a float in 1960.

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.

King Cake: The one ubiquitous food of the Carnival season. 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.

Krewe: A term applied to most, but not all (i.e. Rex, Bacchus) organizations participating in Carnival.

Lundi Gras: French for "Fat Monday," the day before Mardi Gras. Zulu and Rex both arrive officially in the city on Lundi Gras, and now a downtown street festival has become a highlight of the day.

Mardi Gras: Do not call it the Mardi Gras.

Rex: Referred to only as "Rex," or "Rex, king of Carnival," never as the redundant "King Rex" or "King or Rex." He toasts his queen at the Hotel Inter-Continental on St. Charles Avenue.

Tableau: A "still-life" depiction of a scene by costumed krewe members, presented at a Carnival ball before the dancing begins.

"Throw Me Something, Mister:" The traditional cry of parade-goers pleading for throws.

Zulu: New Orleans' first and best-known African-American Carnival organization, formally known as the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

Glossary duplicated from www.mardigras.com

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