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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nYou may have also heard today referred to as \u201cShrove Tuesday.\u201d Since tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent \u2014 a period of fasting and penitence during the 40 weekdays before Easter, devout people were supposed to go to confession on Shrove Tuesday. In Medieval England, Shrove is from shrive, an archaic verb meaning \u201cto confess one\u2019s sins especially to a priest.\u201d
If you\u2019ve been in England this time of year, you\u2019ve probably heard the day before Ash Wednesday referred to as Pancake Day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mardi Gras \u201cfestival\u201d was first celebrated on what are now American shores in 1699. Carnival \u201cseason\u201d begins on Twelfth Night (January 6) and ends on Fat Tuesday. The most famous carnival in the U.S. is in New Orleans \u2014 I was there once, and there were more people than I\u2019ve ever seen, far and away the biggest crowd I\u2019ve ever been a part of. Carnivals, on a much smaller scale, are held in other U.S. cities and there are really large, well-known festivities in Brazil and Venice, Italy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember, when in New Orleans, hearing laissez les bon temps rouler<\/em> (pronounced lay-say le bon tom roo-lay<\/em>) over and over \u2014 it means \u201clet the good times roll\u201d in Cajun French. Today is Tuesday \u2014 specifically \u201cFat Tuesday.\u201d You may know that today is Mardi Gras \u2014 that means Fat Tuesday in French, and it\u2019s the end of the celebratory carnival that leads up to the beginning of Lent. The term … Continue reading
Today, Mardi Gras, is the last day of carnival, so make the most of it \u2014 you\u2019re about to fast for 40 days\u2026 eat everything in the house!
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