Beads are freely thrown from floats to the public. They were made of glass until they realized it was too dangerous and started producing plastic beads mainly from Hong Kong.

Boeuf Gras is the fatted ox, or the symbol of the last meat eaten before Lent. A live boeuf gras was in Rex but is not in Rex now.

The captain is the head organizer of each krewe and rides in the parade by a horse or float. His identity is usually secret and he organizes the parade annually unless he quits or dies.

Carnival is the season of merriment from January 6 until Mardi Gras. To Christians it is also referred to as Epiphany. The Latin word carnivale loosely translates to "farewell to flesh." Carnival was created by the Catholic Church so people didn't have to be serious before the serious Lent season.

The doubloon was created by H. Alvin Sharpe and is a krewe imprinted aluminum coin thrown by krewe members to the public.

Fat Tuesday is the English word for Mardi Gras.

Flambeaux are gas-fueled torches that used to be the only source of lighting for nighttime parades.

A float is a decorated vehicle that the krewe members ride on and throw beads to the public. They are decorated according to the parade's theme and are made in giant warehouses. Some now have fibre optic lighting as a visual effect.

The king is an honorary ruler of a parade and is a celebrity in the new super krewes' parades. The king is usually chosen by the krewe and is a big part of the balls.

King cake is a coffee-cake with icing and sprinkles the colors of Mardi Gras. A plastic baby doll is hidden inside to determine who will host the next party or buy the next cake.

The krewe is the group of riders who participate in a parade.

A lady-in-waiting is a member of the krewe's court.

Lent is a serious Christian season that begins Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, and lasts until Easter Sunday. Many people fast or give up something during Lent as preparation for the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

Lundi Gras is the Monday before Mardi Gras with several parades and Rex's arrival by steamboat. The word is French for Fat Monday.

A maid is a member of the krewe's court and often a debutante.

Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday and is the last day of Carnival with several parades.

Mardi Gras Indians are African-Americans dressed with elaborate Indian costumes and march on their own parade route during the Carnival season.

A page is a young boy and a member of the krewe's court.

A parade is performed by a krewe and consists of floats and marching bands.

The queen is usually a debutante an honorary ruler over the krewe.

A signature float is owned by a krewe and does not change in appearance. It parades every year in the same parade.

A super krewe is a large krewe with large floats. All three have supper dances after the parades and a celebrity reigns as the monarch and also provides entertainment at the supper dance.

A supper dance is an adaptation of the original tableau ball and all three major super krewes have one with entertainment and food.

A tableau ball was the original form of the Carnival ball and consists of a krewe's court.

The title float is different every year and announces the theme of a parade.

Twelfth Night is the last night of Christmas and supposedly is when the wise men saw Jesus. It is the official beginning of the Carnival season.