Today is Mardi Gras
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (126396)
United States
February 17, 2026 4:37pm CST
aka Shrove Tuesday. The literal French translation is "Fat Tuesday". It refers to the fact that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the 40 days preceding Easter. I'm no religious expert as I've long given it up but I know that Catholics traditionally eschewed eating meat for all 40 days. Then it became more commonplace to avoid it on Fridays. Many people also give up something they enjoy for Lent to honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's life. Typically it is candy, chocolate, etc. but it could be anything.
So the whole idea of Mardi Gras is to party it up and enjoy because the next 40 days will be more about sacrifice. New Orleans is infamous for their Mardi Gras celebrations. I always wanted to go there to see them. While studying abroad I also learned in the UK (or at least England) the day is known as "Pancake Day". Their version of pancakes are really crepes but they don't like to call them by the French term.
Being agnostic I don't pay much attention to Lent, Ash Wednesday, Easter, etc. It is a non-thing for me. Do you give up something for Lent or celebrate Mardi Gras?
8 people like this
8 responses
@Deepizzaguy (118450)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
18 Feb
Mardi Gras is huge in south Louisiana. I usually give up meat for Lent.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (83079)
• United States
18 Feb
No, I’m not Catholic. And I have enough things I have to permanently give up because of allergies. 
But I hope everyone who does celebrate has a joyful and meaningful Lent.
But I hope everyone who does celebrate has a joyful and meaningful Lent.2 people like this
@AmbiePam (113042)
• United States
17 Feb
While my sister always gives up something for Lent, I don’t. I celebrate Easter, of course, but I really didn’t want to say I’m giving something up, and then going back on my intent. And, I know myself. If I say I’m giving up Coke for 40 days, I’m a liar. It’s just not happening. I’ve tried, and never gotten past 10 days (as an adult; my mom never let me have it as a kid, period).
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51397)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Feb
I went to the Centre yesterday (Tuesday) because I was hoping there'd be pancakes for lunch. (We too refer to it as Pancake Day here in Canada.) I half-jokingly said I was giving up going there for Lent, because of all the awful weather we'd been having and we're sure to get more (like the freezing rain today).
Historically, making pancakes was a way of using up all the saved cooking fat before Lent, hence "Fat" Tuesday.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (214197)
• United States
18 Feb
I don't do either. I was raised Catholic but I consider myself a Christian now.
@Ineeddentures (18158)
•
17 Feb
No
I don't give up anything for anything or anybody
Especially not my Reese's trees
It's a non thing for me too and it wouldn't surprise me if it's a non thing for 99% of us on here, can't see anyone fasting for 40 days, not even the most devout
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