Ball : Next to the actual parade, this is a Carnival krewe's biggest to-do. At this event, the king, queen and court are formally presented.

Boeuf Gras (say buff grah) : This is the fatted ox. Carnival's use of this ancient symbol dates back to the earliest Rex parade in 1872. The boeuf gras itself can be traced to early 16th century France, however. It is the symbol of the last meat eaten before the Lenten fast season, which begins at midnight on Fat Tuesday and continues through Easter.

Carnival : A universal word signifying the time from Twelfth Night (the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6) through midnight on Mardi Gras. Carnival is celebrated in many predominantly Catholic areas of the world.

Colors : Purple, green and gold are instantly recognizable as Carnival colors. Purple stands for justice, green signifies faith, and gold denotes power.

Doubloons : These aluminum "coins" depicting a parade's theme are tossed to crowds by krewe members.

Flambeaux :> We didn't always have street lights, you know. Back in the day, parade routes were illuminated partially by flambeaux, a large torch (more accurately, a collection of small torches mounted on a large, metal surface). Flambeaux carriers -- some parades still feature them -- often pick up loose change thrown at them along the route.

King cake : In its most basic form, a king cake is a ring-shaped pastry topped with colored sugar, although fancier versions of this seasonal favorite feature icing and one of a variety of fillings. Inside, of course, is the "baby," a plastic figurine. Whoever "finds" the baby when eating the king cake bears a solemn duty: he or she must purchase a cake the next day (this part is very important; skipping king cake days is detrimental to office harmony). The hidden prize dates to ancient times, when the person who found it ("it" could be any number of things) would become king of the Carnival celebration.

Krewe : A general term denoting an organization, led by a captain, that parades during Carnival.

Lundi Gras : The Monday before Mardi Gras. Literally, "Fat Monday." Traditionally, Rex, King of Carnival, arrives by boat on the Mississippi River on Lundi Gras in preparation for the next day's festivities. The practice, once abandoned, was revived by Rex in 1971.

Mardi Gras : Literally, "Fat Tuesday." This is the last day of the pre-Lenten Carnival season. At precisely midnight each Mardi Gras night, police hit the French Quarter (along with a small armada of street cleaning trucks) and "encourage" everyone to call it a night.

Mardi Gras Indians : One of the most colorful aspects of Mardi Gras are the Indians. These black men borrow some of the costumes and traditions of Native Americans in recognition of their plight and adapt them to the season. There are "tribes" and "chiefs," and the Indians' costumes are renowned for their imagination, intricacy and brilliance.

Throws : Most people who come to New Orleans wonder aloud what's the big deal about "throws." Those can be beads, doubloons, cups, panties, coconuts, beer steins, frisbees -- you get the picture. Throws originated as a symbol of the upper class bestowing kindness upon the street-level masses, but today they have evolved into treasured mementos of Mardi Gras.